BY ANDY GARDNER
North Country This Week

CANTON -- St. Lawrence County Coronavirus Task Force members at the June 1 county legislature meeting said they are concerned that mass protests could possibly spread COVID-19.

Nearly all of the attendees at the May 31 and June 1 Potsdam rallies wore face masks to mitigate potential spread of the coronavirus. Organizers of the June 6 Canton rally also urged attendees to wear a mask and socially distance at the event.

NY Gov. Andrew Cuomo has ordered that expanded COVID-19 testing criteria now include anyone who attended a protest. The author of this article covered both the May 31 and June 1 protests in Potsdam, and tested negative for coronavirus on Wednesday, June 3.

At the St. Lawrence County Board of Legislators meeting on Monday, June 1, Legislator Dave Forsythe, R-Lisbon, asked county public health officials if they are “keeping tabs on [the protests].” His question came during a coronavirus update from Dr. Andrew Williams, St. Lawrence County Board of Health president, and Dr. Dana McGuire, St. Lawrence County public health director.

County Attorney Steve Button said the SLC Coronavirus Task Force had discussed the protests.

“There is concern because we should be maintaining that for all activities,” McGuire said.

“This obviously is creating a bit of a problem for us. I think everyone on this board is cognizant of the right of free Americans to convey their grievances,” Button said.

Testing is offered in St. Lawrence County through the local hospital systems. It is done by appointment only. People who attended the rallies and would like a COVID-19 test can call one of the following numbers between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. to schedule a test: St. Lawrence Health System, 315-261-6240; Claxton Hepburn Medical Center, 315-713-6655; Clifton-Fine Hospital, 315-848-8049; St. Lawrence County Public Health Department, 315-229-3448.

Williams and McGuire were not immediately available for comment.

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