To V or not to V

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 Was Hamlet afflicted by the coronavirus? Or maybe his famous creator, Shakespeare, unwittingly prophesied the future. Whatever the case, the first verse of Hamlet's renowned poem describes the situation that many Mennonites find themselves in right now as they face the reality of the Belizean government attempting to implement mandatory vaccines to immunize the citizens against Covid-19.
  Vaccination. Some Mennonites appear paranoid which has led to heated and interesting discussions between them and pro-vaxxers. In fact, to listen to some of these Mennonites, you would think that taking the Covid-19 was an unforgivable sin, on the same level as spiritual blasphemy; apparently St. Peter has a vaccine detector mounted on the Pearly Gates. Others have seemingly become science experts and medical professionals overnight. Still others have dire predictions, stating that to receive the vaccine was equal to receiving the mark of the beast, linking the vaccine with the New World Order and the Illuminati. Yet the majority of those reacting strongly to the vaccine law are those from "Russian" Mennonite background, e.g. Kleine Gemeinde, Old Colony, EMMC, etc.
  Those of "Swiss" Mennonite origins, such as the Beachy Amish, Conservative and Holdeman Mennonites, appear to be more open-minded, leaving it up to personal choice rather than a collective decision. Many of my Holdeman Mennonite friends from North America have already received their first dose of the vaccine, which surprised me because I thought they would be united with other Mennonites when it came to this controversial vaccine. This simply points out once more how drastically one Anabaptist group can differ from another.
  Once more, as with the masks, so with the vaccine: Mestizo and Creole employees are caught in the crossfire. Should they resist the vaccine, or should they receive it? (I ask this question because there are unconfirmed reports of some Mennonite employers who have threatened to fire any worker who dares to take the vaccine. On the other hand there are a few Mennonites who shrug their shoulders and remain non-commital.)
 As I write this, there is a recently formed mixed group of anti-vaxxers that is gaining momentum. The group is planning on protests and petitions to have the mask and vaccine law removed and in its place they would actively promote healthy living. When I heard about this group, I was excited. To be free of masks, to say no to the vaccine without any consequences, to freely gather for weddings, birthday celebrations, etc., well, I hope that day is soon here. I am not opposed to the vaccine although I have made my decision not to take it, but I am definitely against the government's method. To v or not to v should be entirely a matter of personal choice without any consequences such as bi-monthly tests, unnecessary medical fees, or loss of job.
Note: in this situation concerning the vaccine there are other non-Mennonite church groups that are refusing to accept the vaccine. Hence while the Mennonites are the most vocal about it, they are not alone in resisting it.










                                                A. Mendoza

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