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'Orchestrated' maskless group upsets apple cart at Midland store

Midland parent upset after group 'parading' around grocery store fails to adhere to COVID-19 protocols
2021-03-09 apDSC02426
Real Canadian Superstore in Midland.

A weekend incident at a Midland grocery store continues to reverberate throughout the community.

While social media channels are abuzz about the protest-style event that occurred at the Real Canadian Superstore on Saturday, Chris Haggart said he just wants an explanation from the coterie of local residents who entered the store as a group without wearing masks or adhering to social-distancing protocols.

“There were a dozen or so people who went in unmasked who were parading around the store,” Haggart said, noting some even filmed his 15-year-old daughter speaking to a police officer who had been dispatched to the store.

“That was the most upsetting part. I guess it’s perfectly legal to film a 15-year-old girl wherever they want," he added. 

A shopper, who asked not to be identified, said he arrived at the store and noticed the group congregating outside before heading to the store entrance.

"I noticed that none of them were wearing masks," he said, noting they were then met by a manager who allowed them to enter the store after they were found to be medically exempt from wearing masks.

From there, the Midland resident said the entourage split into groups of two or three and proceeded to various sections of the store where they were spotted videotaping and conversing loudly.

"They had grocery carts with them, but they weren't shopping. It was all orchestrated," he said. "The anxiety levels and my anxiety level was going through the roof. There were people who were so mad.

"It was just a very horrible experience and pretty upsetting for me, my wife and I'm sure everybody that was in the store. They put the lives in jeopardy of everyone who was in there."

A health-care professional, who was reportedly the event organizer, didn’t return calls or emails from MidlandToday seeking comment while another local resident, who was reportedly part of the group, declined to comment when reached by MidlandToday.

Southern Georgian Bay OPP Const. David Hobson confirmed police were called to the store, but didn’t lay any charges since those involved had personal exemptions, meaning they’re not required to wear masks.

But besides the taping of his daughter who works at the store as a cashier, Haggart said that as a parent, he’s upset his family’s health is being compromised through no fault of their own.

“I was pretty upset,” he said. “We go through all these precautions. My daughter’s in school, but my two boys are home. We have a son who has muscular dystrophy so he’s pretty immuno-compromised.

“So we sent her to school reluctantly because she wants to do biology; she wants to be a doctor when she grows up,” said Haggart, who noted taking biology online wouldn’t be the same for his daughter.

Haggart said his daughter understands that there’s some risk involved in going to school and that if something happened she would need to self-isolate in her room and take all necessary protocols.

“She’s pretty safe and then she goes to work and thinks she’s safe there as well and then a bunch of people come in and make it unsafe," he said. 

As well, Haggart said he has difficulty understanding their logic in protesting at a grocery store in the first place.

“I get that people are frustrated with masks and small businesses are basically losing their shirts or have been and I have empathy for these people, it’s terrible,” Haggart said, noting that doesn’t excuse the kind of “reckless” behaviour demonstrated by the group.

“It’s just frustrating, it seems like other people are just trying to drag this out further.”

In an emailed statement to MidlandToday, Loblaw said all of its stores, including the Real Canadian Superstore in Midland, continue to follow the guidance of public health and comply with all government regulations, including requiring customers and colleagues to wear a mask while in its stores.

"If a customer enters without a mask, one is provided along with an explanation about the policy," the company's public relations department wrote. "While the majority of our customers are happy to comply, there have been incidents where customers are unable to wear a mask, or refuse to.

"In some cases where customers refuse to wear a mask, store management may contact the authorities for assistance. Our colleagues are working hard to do what they can to keep everyone safe, healthy and fed, while at the same time ensuring their own safety."


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Andrew Philips

About the Author: Andrew Philips

Editor Andrew Philips is a multiple award-winning journalist whose writing has appeared in some of the country’s most respected news outlets. Originally from Midland, Philips returned to the area from Québec City a decade ago.
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