When Ryan Polinsky designed T-shirts emblazoned with the words “Menno & Vaccinated” at the beginning of June, he intended to sell only a few to his family. He has since sold around 50 shirts, plus other merchandise like mugs, buttons and hats. Dr. Joss Reimer, medical lead for the Manitoba Vaccine Implementation Task Force, even highlighted the shirts in a provincial press conference.
Polinsky is an art teacher at Steinbach (Man.) Christian School and attends Steinbach Mennonite Brethren Church. He made the shirts in response to the low vaccine rates in predominantly Mennonite communities in southern Manitoba.
“The shirts are to be a sign of support towards like-minded Mennonites,” Polinsky says. “The fence-sitters who need to see their neighbours and leaders in their communities stating their acceptance of science and vaccine.
The shirts are also to show support toward the health-care workers and those whose well-being could be critically affected by COVID or overflowing ICUs.”
To learn more, visit shop.spreadshirt.ca/mennoandvaccinated.
Do you have a story idea about Mennonites in Manitoba? Send it to Nicolien Klassen-Wiebe at mb@canadianmennonite.org.
Ryan Polinsky holds up one of the T-shirts he designed in support of Mennonites getting vaccinated against COVID-19. (Photo courtesy of Ryan Polinsky)
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