Page 46 - Spring2020

“Vaccines The third option for dealing with the novel individuals have found that key components of
don’t supply situation would be simply to continue as usual: health include not just physical well-being but
hold classes at their school, accept children also faith and spiritual well-being, connection
herd both vaccinated and unvaccinated and continue to a supportive community and mental stability.
immunity,” peacefully with the job at hand. This could be Mr. Weaver’s viewpoint regarding vaccines
Mr. Weaver termed passive resistance, with which Menno- and health underwent a change about fifteen
years ago when he and his wife did what most
nites have a long familiarity.
replied, “it’s On the other hand, the options open to the Mennonite families routinely did at the time:
good real state government are stark, particularly when take their new baby to the doctor for the “baby
food and confronted by schools that choose passive re- shot” (vaccines). In this instance, the local doc-
sistance. Possible scenarios include:
tor hesitated for a moment before asking the
raw milk Weavers if they really wanted the shot, explain-
that build 1. The state does nothing, which sets a prec- ing that tissue from an aborted fetus was used

immunity.” edent for other schools (not Mennonite or in the preparation of some of the vaccines. The
Amish).
answer was a firm “no.”
2. The state imposes fines, which the school With very few exceptions, Mennonite chil-
just does not pay. dren of Mr. Weaver’s acquaintance, vaccinated
3. The state tries to use force—such as forced or not, generally enjoy robust good health. They
school closure—which results in very em- eat almost entirely foods from their own farms
barrassing media coverage and could even and gardens, and a majority of that food is
lead to a court case that nullifies the law. organically grown. They drink raw milk. (Mr.
Weaver is a dairy farmer of long experience,
Compounding these problems for the state who had the privilege of working and learn-
is some apparent quiet support by local com- ing alongside renowned dairy consultant Jerry
munities for Mennonites in their area. In Yates Brunetti for several years.) Most Mennonite
County in the Finger Lakes region of New York, children experience plenty of time outdoors and
local government agencies such as the public have less exposure to artificial light. There are
health department and others have declined occasional cases of chickenpox, which cause no
requests from local media outlets to contact alarm; in fact, some parents try to expose their
Mennonite school administrators about this children so they will get the disease over with
issue, citing concerns that the trust they have when young. Measles and whooping cough are
built slowly and carefully over the years with very rare.
Mennonite communities could be jeopardized. I asked, “What about herd immunity?”—
4
Local officials support the law and are work- the idea that to protect everyone, including the
ing hard to vaccinate as many school children most vulnerable, one must vaccinate everyone
as they can, but some are uncertain about the who can be vaccinated. “Vaccines don’t supply
outcome. Yates County public health deputy herd immunity,” Mr. Weaver replied, “it’s good
director Sara Christensen commented: “We’re real food and raw milk that build immunity.
going to have more vaccinated kids.” She con- You’re vaccinating yourself with raw milk!” He
tinued, “But we also know there’s going to be added that it’s the same with plants. If a plant
Mennonite children who aren’t vaccinated but isn’t thriving, you need to build the soil and
their families want them to go to school. At that supply the minerals the plant needs, rather than
point, it’s up to the school director. Will they reach for soil-toxic fertilizers or insecticides.
enforce compliance? I have to say I’m not sure.” 4 Although seemingly separate, raw milk
and vaccinations are in essence paired issues.
REAL HEALTH AND REAL IMMUNITY Each provokes intense passions on both sides,
What constitutes real health? Is it merely and both reflect two very different world views.
the absence of disease? Is it only the presence One viewpoint sees raw milk as dangerous and
of a vaccine in the bloodstream? Or is it the vaccines as the safe, scientific way to ensure im-
presence of things of much greater value? Many munity to disease. Concerns about ethical issues
46 Wise Traditions SPRING 2020