An anti-mask protest on Sperling Drive in Barrie's north end, Monday, forced the Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit to close down for the day.
The protest was specifically against mask requirements for kids in schools and for families to at least have the right to choose if their child should wear one.
A woman who identified herself as Krystal was one of eight people at the protest made up of parents, kids and grandparents. She told BarrieToday the main reason she was there was to inform people about the downside of masks on kids, particularly those with learning issues.
“The effects on social and emotional understanding and their development are something I think doctors are not taking enough time to look at," Krystal said. "My child has ASD (autism spectrum disorder) and he struggles a lot with social and emotional understanding.
"Him being in a mask all day prevents him from being able to express himself and his emotions," she added. "He isn’t able to pick up on the social cues that are sometimes easy for us to understand, but even more difficult for him even without the mask as a barrier. It's almost impossible for him now.”
While members of the group said more parents were expected to be at the protest, some had work or had other reasons they couldn’t attend. However, the group said they didn’t understand why the health unit offices were closed for their small assembly.
BarrieToday contacted the health unit and asked if shutting down was protocol regardless of a protest’s size.
In a statement, local medical officer of health Dr. Charles Gardner said the safety of health unit staff is always an important consideration, as is the fulfillment of their mandate to protect and promote health in the community.
“Throughout the pandemic, we have had the majority of our staff working from home successfully. With this protest taking place, we are having all staff who normally work from this office who can work from home to do so today as a safety precaution,” he said.
A 13-year-old Alliston student who identified himself as David said he has been suspended and sent home for having his mask beneath his nose.
“I feel like if I can’t breathe properly I should be able to make the choice on whether to wear it,” he said. “I was wearing it, though, just under my nose.”
All other health unit offices and the Health Connection line will remain open today for regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Health Connection can be reached at 705-721-7520 or 1-877-721-7520.
