‘We do care,’ says member of Riverview Hutterite Colony, giving inside look at pandemic life

Cases of COVID-19 in Saskatchewan have clustered in some Hutterite colonies, but there’s one community just north of Saskatoon that’s been doing its part to flatten the curve.

Riverview colony, which is located just under 30 kilometres northeast of the city, has remained free of cases throughout the pandemic, according to member Paul Tschetter, the colony’s financial manager.

“We’re still okay, we’re still trying to follow procedures,” he said, speaking to 650 CKOM on Thursday. “We’ve been lucky here.”

Tschetter says he and members of the colony do feel the stress and anxiety affiliated with the pandemic. They have told members not to go to other colonies at this time.

“They don’t wanna come home and isolate for a couple (of) weeks, they don’t wanna spread it,” he said. “It’s for our own benefit and for everybody.”

The 70 year old said he was personally tested for COVID-19 after a scare in the last couple months.

When the test came back negative, he said it was a relief. Tschetter said he still helps out a lot around the colony.

He says he’s been the only member heading to the city for supplies, something that’s been working well for Riverview.

With fewer opportunities for the virus to enter the colony, Tschetter says they remain vigilant in stopping the spread of COVID-19.

“I tell everybody, you got a cough, stay home,” he said.

Members do gather for church services, but the building can hold up to 300 people, according to Tschetter.

With just 106 members in the colony, they are able to space out during services, he said.

If members don’t feel well or exhibit any symptoms of COVID-19, Tschetter said they set up remote services by phone to stay connected.

When it comes to farming, Tschetter said it’s easy to keep the distance. They have all meetings distanced in the morning as they plan their days.

“We’re farmers so we have to work together. But we’re trying to keep our distance,” he said, noting that putting four people in the tractor is impossible regardless of the pandemic.

Tschetter says he has had no issues when it comes to discrimination but has heard rumours of it across other colonies.

He says he’d like to see proof if signs such as “No Hutterites allowed” were up.

“I would take a picture if I (saw) a sign at the store,” he says.

When it comes to masks, Tschetter said he finds it hard to breathe in his.

That doesn’t mean they won’t wear them, however.

“We can wear them,” he explained. “(It) depends (on) how the environment looks … personally, I’ve had one on in places.”

He said he sees about 50 per cent of people wearing them in the general population and that they’re open to making face coverings mandatory.

“If that’s what everybody wants, that’s what we’ll we do,” he said.

Just like many in the general population, Tschetter has found that explaining COVID-19 to the children has been difficult.

He said they have picked up the dangers of the novel coronavirus quickly and they understand the risks.

Tschetter said one morning as he was heading to Saskatoon, one of his grandchildren came up to him with a warning, which put him at ease, knowing the youth understand COVID-19’s dangers.

“(They ran up to me and said) ’Grandpa you can’t go away! You’ll get the corona,” he said.

On Sunday, Tschetter confirmed to 650 CKOM that the colony is still COVID-free.

He gave a message to those outside of the colony as well, dispelling any myths that may be floating around Saskatchewan’s general population.

“We do care.”