Editorial

State stresses ‘critical role’ of children’s vaccines

Michigan’s chief medical executive, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, has issued a standing recommendation regarding children’s vaccines, advising health care providers and families to follow the child and adolescent immunization schedule produced by the American Academy of Pediatrics or the American Academy of Family Physicians. “Public health experts across the country, including myself, are not in agreement with recent federal vaccine recommendations,” Bagdasarian said in a news release. “For decades, vaccines have played a critical role in the prevention and control of infectious ...

Are we in a productivity boom?

The U.S. economy has been marked this year by the paradox of a rising stock market but a slowing labor market. Could the explanation be a productivity boom, led in part by artificial intelligence? That seems possible given Wednesday’s report that the economy grew a robust 4.3% in the third quarter. The report, delayed by the government shutdown, came in well above most forecasts. Consumer confidence is down in surveys, but you wouldn’t know it from the healthy 2.4 percentage-point contribution to third quarter GDP. Health care, prescription drugs and international travel were ...

The Washington Post on conservatism and free markets

When American conservatives abandon free-market principles, there’s no telling what follows. The Heritage Foundation has been illustrating this the past few months. One of the largest conservative think tanks in D.C. has been bleeding talent. Three members of its board of trustees resigned. Longtime conservative movement leaders such as Chris DeMuth and Stephen Moore cut ties. Then, on Monday, three of Heritage’s research divisions moved almost as entire units to Advancing American Freedom, the conservative group founded by former vice president Mike Pence. The heads of the legal, ...

MDARD offers holiday food safety advice

The Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development reminds Michiganders to keep food safety in mind as they prepare and serve holiday treats to families and friends. MDARD offers these simple precautions to help keep food safe, guests healthy and the holiday gathering successful — • Wash hands frequently: Handwashing is one of the most important steps to prevent foodborne illness. Research shows handwashing lowers the rates of certain respiratory and gastrointestinal infections up to 23% and 48%, respectively. Hands should be thoroughly washed with soap and warm, running ...

Cartoon commentary

Child’s inquiry to NY newspaper sets world straight on Santa

EDITOR’S NOTE: This is the reprint of the 1897 New York Sun editorial responding to a letter from 8-year-old Virginia O’Hanlon of New York City. O’Hanlon said friends had claimed there was no Santa Claus and so she asked, “Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?” This is the response, penned by Francis Pharcellus Church. Virginia, your little friends are wrong. They have been affected by the skepticism of a skeptical age. They do not believe except (what) they see. They think that nothing can be which is not comprehensible by their little minds. All minds, Virginia, ...