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Vials of the MMR measles mums and rubella virus vaccine are displayed in Lubbock. A reader is grateful his doctor believed in vaccines.<\/p>\n
Julio Cortez\/AP<\/p>\n
Thankful for his doctor\u00a0<\/p>\n
Re: \u201cA very safe vaccine,\u201d by Malcolm D. Davidson, MD, Aug. 19 Letters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In this letter, Davidson wrote that as \u201can office-based pediatrician for nearly 50 years\u201d he gave \u201cthousands of doses of MMR vaccine\u201d to his patients. Our two sons, now fully grown, were fortunate enough to be two of Davidson\u2019s patients.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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In fact, while we were living in Toronto, Canada, on an expatriate work assignment, we flew our sons back to Dallas to receive excellent care from Davidson and his team, and most importantly, to ensure that both were up to date with their shot regimen for our eventual return to the U.S. \u00a0<\/p>\n
For those parents who may be questioning whether to get their children vaccinated, ask yourself whose guidance should you trust? Medical professionals such as Davidson or our current secretary of Health and Human Services, who has promoted conspiracy theories and has touted a causal link between vaccines and autism, which has been scientifically debunked? \u00a0<\/p>\n
Should you put your faith in practitioners like Davidson, or should you take counsel from the current occupant of the White House who mused with health officials about the effectiveness of injecting bleach into patients during the pandemic? \u00a0<\/p>\n
We are thankful that we chose Dr. Davidson!\u00a0<\/p>\n
David Alan Jones, Farmers Branch\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Learn about other cultures\u00a0<\/p>\n
Re: \u201cWhat they said,\u201d Sunday Opinion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
I was a language major and had the chance to study Russian my sophomore year. Professor Mamantov was one of the reasons I enjoyed the class. He was from Russia, and what I learned from him was more than the language, which candidly was difficult and I studied for only one year. \u00a0<\/p>\n
We met his family, and he had us over to his home to celebrate holidays, which opened our eyes to another culture. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Traveling abroad, most young people speak English as a second language. Friends in the United Kingdom tell us that the BBC News is much more about what\u2019s going on around the world than just about their home country.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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There is immeasurable value in learning about other countries and cultures in and out of the classroom. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Why take that knowledge away from students in Texas just because some are afraid of those who are different? Different doesn\u2019t mean bad, it just means different. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Taking a class from a certified teacher from another country would not only offer the opportunity to learn the subject matter but also offer those in the classroom the chance to learn about the world. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Learning a second language is another example of learning more than just a language. \u00a0<\/p>\n
Learn about cultures and people and lose the fear.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Perri Brackett, Lewisville\u00a0<\/p>\n
Simple steps to save money\u00a0<\/p>\n
Re: \u201cRetirees fear losing doctors\u00a0\u2014 City says eliminating PPO plan would save taxpayers $10 million,\u201d Monday news story, and \u201cDallas’ muni court is broken\u00a0\u2014 When the city fails its own metrics, it hits reset without fixing them,\u201d by David Payma, Monday Opinion.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Do those in charge of the city of Dallas budget even read The Dallas Morning News? If they did, they\u2019d see in just one day\u2019s news that a $10 million savings to the city by eliminating the Dallas police and retirees PPO health insurance plan (much to the chagrin of those employees and retirees) could be solved and then some by an overhaul of the current Dallas municipal court system. \u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
According to Payma, approximately $15 million annually would be saved by the city taking only the simplest steps in the annual budget to match the people and resources actually needed to handle the current caseloads. Unknown amounts would also be saved by the taxpayers who end up incurring even more expense than fines by being forced to operate within the current antiquated system.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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Yes, city budgets are complex things. But if this opinion writer can find win-win situations within the Dallas budget, why can\u2019t those responsible for that budget find them as well? \u00a0<\/p>\n
To Dallas city leaders, try reading the newspaper, especially the opinion pages.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Judy Mynett Ward, Richardson\u00a0<\/p>\n
Start school in September\u00a0<\/p>\n
Re: \u201cDelayed start benefits questioned\u00a0\u2014 Potential energy savings from proposal to delay start of school uncertain,\u201d Aug. 20 Metro & Business story.\u00a0<\/p>\n
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I\u2019ll just bet that 90% of the population with children in school would side with state Rep. Jared Patterson, R-Frisco, and vote for a delayed start of school until September\u00a0\u2014 like it used to be.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Going to school in August in Texas weather is a health threat to students practicing band, football and other sports in 100-plus degree heat.\u00a0<\/p>\n
There are many breaks throughout the school year that starting in September could easily work if a couple of these breaks were shortened.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Federal overreach\u00a0<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not often that Texans unite over a bipartisan issue, but the unified outcry over the environmental destruction in Big Bend National Park must be addressed. Our state officials need to push back against the overreach of the federal government to protect this cherished part of our state. \u00a0<\/p>\n
All avid outdoor enthusiasts like me are watching this destruction, and we\u2019ll be voting in November.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Agrees with honoring Navy hero\u00a0<\/p>\n
Re: \u201cHonor Doris Miller,\u201d by Andrew L. Norton, Monday Letters.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Just want to add my amen to Norton\u2019s letter regarding naming a new aircraft carrier after World War II hero Doris \u201cDorie\u201d Miller rather than President Donald Trump. Miller should be honored, especially by the U.S. Navy, his own branch of service, as well as by all of the generations who benefited from his acts of bravery.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Gay Carrington, Far North Dallas\u00a0<\/p>\n