Saskatchewanderer turns to virtual world due to COVID-19

Leah Mertz was expecting to do a lot more wandering around the province in 2020.

The Saskatoon resident was selected as this year’s Saskatchewanderer, but like many others during the COVID-19 pandemic, she has had to pivot how she approaches her role.

“I think everybody has had to switch gears pretty quickly so that did include what the Saskatchewanderer program had planned,” Mertz told the Greg Morgan Morning Show earlier this week.

The government program has a chosen individual go around the province and highlight the many locations and experiences Saskatchewan has to offer.

Now forced to stay at her Saskatoon home, Mertz is taking the role to the virtual realm.

“For me right now, I think it’s all about keeping positive and staying active. My plan right now is to do a weekly episode and the people have voted to call it the Sofa-Wanderer show,” Mertz said. “I was able to do an online yoga class – I did it with a studio that was out of Davidson.”

“Eating locally has been really nice. You can order from many places that have really shifted into (takeout). I even saw one lady who made her own drive-thru so people could knock on the door and have no-contact delivery.”

She said one of her goals is to show people they can find great experiences and businesses in their own communities.

“(I’m) trying to encourage everyone else to look up what’s around them and what’s local to them so they can take advantage of supporting people right now,” Mertz said.

And while it’s not turning out to be the experience she originally signed up for, she’s still grateful for the opportunity.

“If my year is being on my couch at home, then I guess that’s just what it was,” she said.