“We are deeply concerned about the actions of individuals who are endangering our Elders and vulnerable people to pursue selfishness for selfish purposes,” a community leader said.
A casino business executive and his wife are facing charges after allegedly renting a plane to a remote indigenous community in Canada, breaking isolation requirements and pretending to be members of the vulnerable population was to get the coronavirus vaccine last week.
Rodney Baker, 55, and Ekaterina Baker, 32, are charged under the Yukon Civil Emergency Measures Act on January 21 for failing to self-isolate themselves 14 days after entering the area and for failing to act. a manner consistent with the declaration provided at entry. , according to court documents provided to BuzzFeed News. They both get $ 575 fines for each score
Until Sunday, Rodney was the president and CEO of Great Canadian Gaming, where he earned millions in compensation. The company announced in a statement on Monday that it “is no longer affiliated with Greater Canada at all, and that the company has left no form of separation.” Ekaterina is an actor with credits in Kuikengeveg and the Mel Gibson Movie Do you know. Her manager did not immediately respond to BuzzFeed News’ request for comment.
The @yukon_news has decided to name the two people charged with breaching self-isolation to get the Moderna vaccine in Beaver Creek. CBC North and @xjackiehong broke the first story on Friday. https://t.co/LYbdb3ynzp
The couple were first identified by Yukon News, which reported on Monday that the Bakers lied to officials at a mobile vaccine clinic in Beaver Creek and said they were workers at a local motel to get the COVID-19 vaccine gain.
Beaver Creek is an isolated community near the Alaska border with less than 125 people, many of whom are members of the White River First Nation. Local shops reported that the couple first traveled to the town of Whitehorse before taking a chartered plane to Beaver Creek, more than 200 miles away.
In Canada, people living in remote and isolated indigenous communities are prioritized against vaccines, along with health workers and residents and long-term care staff. According to the Yukon government’s vaccination plan, there are currently appointments for all Beaver Creek residents 18 years and older.
The White River First Nation called for more severe fines against the Bakers, calling their actions “a blatant disregard for the rules” to keep the vulnerable community safe during the pandemic.
“We are deeply concerned about the actions of individuals who are endangering our elders and vulnerable people to pursue selfishness for selfish purposes,” Angela Demit, head of state, said in a statement on Monday. “While we understand that many want to get vaccinated right away, it is not appropriate to apply the rules that have been put in place and approach our community in this way.”
Demit added that Beaver Creek was selected to be preferred for vaccinations because of the remote, elderly and high-risk population and limited access to health care.
Ekaterina Baker’s Instagram was filled with posts about staying home, quarantine and protecting communities. I’m concerned that this is revenge rather than journalism, but it does suggest that the bakers knew the implications of their actions.
After the couple received a dose of the vaccine, they asked if they could get a lift to the airport, a request that the workers refused because they were vaccinating members of the community, said John Streicker, Minister of Community Services, in a video clip. shared by CBC News.
CEMA’s enforcement officials, typed about the couple’s behavior, responded at the Whitehorse airport, where they found the Bakers were boarding a flight to leave the northwestern area.
“[Officials] could confirm that the couple violated the area’s self-isolation requirements and did not comply with the statements they made upon entering the area, “Streicker said in a statement to BuzzFeed News.” I am furious about this selfish behavior, and finds it disturbing that people would choose to endanger fellow Canadians in this way. ‘
He said the incident was reported to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The law enforcement agency told BuzzFeed News that it is investigating the matter.
Meanwhile, British Columbia – where the Bakers actually live – is on the verge of another peak in COVID-19. The health officer of British Columbia, dr. Bonnie Henry, said the couple should be ‘ashamed’ because they are endangering the small community of Beaver Creek.
“I’m very sad and disappointed that people would do that, but I’m also very happy to know that the vast majority of people in Canada and in BC do not think so and know that the approach to protecting those who are most vulnerable is one that supports them, ”Henry said.