As measles — a preventable disease the U.S. considered eliminated in 2000 — spreads through West Texas’ rural expanse, Klassen is sticking to an approach on vaccines that is a key tenet for Mennonites. Family leaders are the top decision-making authority — not outside recommendations, certainly not government mandates.

Measles has sickened nearly 150 mostly unvaccinated people in rural West Texas, and a school-age child has died. The virus is spreading among Gaines County’s Mennonite community, where government mandates are not trusted.