Before the big game, an unexpected voice in support of vaccine passports

While the government has resisted calls to require proof of vaccination to attend Saskatchewan Roughrider games, there is support for the idea, coming from an unlikely place.

Greg Clark of Saskatoon is among those yet to be vaccinated. He considers himself to be vaccine-hesitant and has chosen to wait before getting his first dose.

He texted 650 CKOM to say those who are unvaccinated need to be considerate of others. When he thinks of mass gatherings like Rider games, Clark says it’s only “common sense” to have vaccine passports.

“If you’re not vaccinated, I think you should stay away from bigger groups. That’s just called looking out for other people and having common decency for other people as well,” Clark says in a phone interview.

“There’s so many people in that arena that it might be a good idea to have a COVID passport for that kind of stuff.”

A recent poll has suggested that most people support making vaccines mandatory to attend large events. The NDP opposition has warned that Rider games have the potential to become superspreader events that could once again strain an already-exhausted healthcare system.

The party also pointed to those who cannot be vaccinated, like children under 12 years old. For them, there has yet to be an authorized vaccine.

“Have common sense around other people. Just because it’s your freedom to not get vaccinated, doesn’t mean you should start hanging around, going to events with a bunch of kids that aren’t vaccinated, people that can’t be vaccinated,” Clark says.

Clark doesn’t want to be lumped into the same category as anti-vaxxers. He fully accepts that vaccines work. But he considers himself a late-adopter. “I like when enough time has gone by for me to feel comfortable to get it,” he says.

For a timeline of when he might get his first dose, Clark says, “maybe a month or so, maybe less.” He can’t say what more he needs to see before deciding to get his first dose.

His job running a lawn care company does not require him to interact in-person with customers. Until he gets jabbed, Clark plans to keep following the public health guidance past July 11, when all public health orders are set to expire.

But he doesn’t expect the re-opening to stop for people like him. Clark says it needs to happen for the economy.

“I don’t feel left out because I’ve chosen not to get vaccinated yet.”