The Church of God Restoration, just outside of Steinbach,  received international attention during the Covid-19 pandemic for its refusal to obey government mandates to stop in person religious services contrary to provincial mandates.

Now its affiliated church the Church of God Steinbach, which is a block away from our house,  is in the centre of a measles outbreak.  That is disconcertingly close. As with Mennonite communities around North America including Texas, Ontario, Alberta, and now Manitoba, Mennonites are gaining notoriety as a result of their opposition to vaccines.

As of a couple of days ago,  Malak Abas of the Winnipeg Free Press reported, “MORE than 100 people have contracted measles in Manitoba this year. There have been 14 confirmed and four probable cases in June, as per data accurate as of Wednesday.”

Malak Abas also reported this:

“Four new locations in southern Manitoba were pinpointed as possible exposure sites to measles Tuesday: Triangle Oasis Restaurant in Winkler, from 6 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on June 11, VB’s Entertainment Center in Winkler, from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m. on June 9, The Manitou Motor Inn’s bar, from 3 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. on June 9 and Steinbach Church of God in Steinbach from 9:45 a.m. to 2 p.m. on June 1.”

Please note these are all in the Mennonite Bible belt of Manitoba.

I am getting uncomfortable here. Among Mennonites. My people. This seems to be a place where reason has gone to sleep. And as Goya said, “the sleep of reasons brings forth monsters.” I know I keep repeating this, but its important.