ABOVE: Chris (Saccoccia) Sky is a Canadian Covid denier and anti-vaxxer who is purposely spreading misinformation. (PHOTO: CTV VIA YOUTUBE)
by Dante Caloia
On top of testing the limits of Canadian citizens, Covid-19 has also tested the limits of our political ideologies and fundamental beliefs. More specifically, it has caused tension in regard to the topic of government control.
Since the pandemic began, there have been thousands of Canadians who have accepted the requests of the government and public health, but also thousands more Canadians who have openly defied these measures. In spite of the fact that many have criticized these actions, people continue to refuse vaccinations, ignore lockdowns, and not wear masks. Even as the pandemic slows, this anti-institution movement is still strong as ever, even gaining the support of MP Maxime Bernier and celebrity Van Morrison.
Anti-institutionalists believe that behind each Covid-19 policy, there is a separate agenda being pushed in an attempt to limit freedoms and create an authoritarian state. A well-known group called “No More Lockdowns” emerged at the beginning of the pandemic and has built quite a substantial support base. In Ottawa, it’s not uncommon to see their lawn signs at the houses of supporters, even more so in rural areas outside of the city. The group has a website dedicated to petitions, protest organization, donations and more, all oriented towards ending lockdowns and opening Canada back up to the way it was pre-Covid. The website also has a section dedicated to “facts and fears”, which outlines government mandates such as mask-wearing and asymptomatic spread as well as their opinion on why these rules are invalid and overexaggerated. This tactic creates issues as it is attempting to discredit information being spread to help prevent deaths. One of the facts vs fears is titled “Do masks protect you against COVID-19?”, followed by a ‘fact’ stating masks are more detrimental than positive. This could lead many to opt out of wearing face coverings which would in turn lead to faster virus spread and more deaths.
The group is by no means the only organization pushing anti-government sentiments. A fitness and boxing gym in Toronto recently made headlines after it announced it would not be accepting any members who had been vaccinated. In addition to this, the gyms founder has been one of the many Canadians that have been spreading misinformation about the vaccine.
Another example of an anti-government Covid-19 denier is Chris (Saccoccia) Sky, a well-known Toronto area anti-masker and anti-vaxxer. In an interview he stated that the government’s measures against Covid-19 were “all a red herring to try and lull you into submission”. Sky can be seen by many as a dangerous individual because he purposely spreads misinformation and attempts to create conflict.
From attempting to dissuade those receiving the vaccine to supporting lockdown-breakers, Adam Skelly is a vehement critic of the government’s efforts to stamp out the virus. Skelly has also been seen with former MP Maxime Bernier at an anti-mask rally, promoting his beliefs. Bernier believes that the “second wave” of the pandemic is actually “more socialism.” With both social media and political figures pushing anti-government and anti-Covid beliefs, many citizens can get caught up in falsehoods. The same issue is occurring in the United States but with prominent celebrities instead.
A main takeaway from these events is that in an age where many get their facts and news from social media, we must be vigilant in who we believe and who we do not. Many online sources are opinion based and state opinions as facts, which leads to biased information. In addition, sources can simply contain untrue statements, such as those pushed by the anti-lockdown website.
As we scroll through various social media outlets, we all must take that extra second to double check the information being fed to us. If not, we will continue to move towards becoming a polarized, radical, and divided country.
