A psychologist named Peter Kinderman of Liverpool University has had a few things to say about how the media covers great human tragedies such as the crash of the Malaysian Airbus now unfolding. He says he is drawn, as millions must also be, to how the media concentrate on the grief and anxiety of relatives. He comments: “They shouldn’t use grief as spectator sport. I know it’s very attractive, but the media should leave alone those members of the public caught up in such events. Please don’t think the media can do something helpful for these people. Don’t take photos when somebody is doing something slightly unusual like rocking or praying or getting angry; that’s what people do. They’re not odd, they’re not strange and they’re not particularly interesting. Don’t judge them – leave them alone. All shades of human emotional response are normal and natural. A few months ago, several news organizations shared a paparazzo photo of a well-known celebrity caught at the precise moment he was informed of his child’s death. An obviously arresting image—a picture of raw humanity. And therefore hugely attractive for media organizations. Grief and raw emotion are obviously engaging. But… the media also have ethical standards. And I think it is important for them to accept that anxious and grieving relatives need privacy and time. Grief should not be a spectator sport.” 

Lights were out, including traffic signals, all along South Bayview for about 15 minutes this morning (Tuesday, December 30, 2014). Power returned about 9.40 a.m. That’s good because businesses are looking to see some year-end interest in discounted goods. Fiorio, for example,  is offering $40 off Kerastase Gift Packs. 

The Indonesian government has confirmed that it has found wreckage from the missing Malaysian Airbus. Reports of bodies found were confused. Latest information says three were recovered but other sources said as many as 40. The remains were located at Pangkalan Bun, Central Kalimantan. Images on Indonesian television showed bodies being brought aboard a helicopter. The plane carried 162 passengfers and crew Mailonline

This flu season has seen a serious outbreak of cases across the GTA.  Toronto Public Health recorded more than 150 new lab instances in one week just before Christmas. Many hospitals are feeling the pressure and some have urged anyone with a manageable case of the flu to treat it at home rather than risk infecting patients at the hospital.  “We are having a terrible flu season this year,” Dr. Brett Belchetz told CP24.  He said part of the reason for the rise in flu cases is that the strain mutated and rendered the vaccine only about 50 per cent effective. As always, it is still a good idea to get the shot but there are also fears that the supply may not outlast the demand. The creation of the flu vaccine each year is a high-tech guessing game among scientists who do their best to calculate what the annual onslaught might look like, epidemiologically speaking. Elderly residents are most at risk for contracting the flu and the health department reports that 57 long-term care facilities have “active outbreaks.” Cummer Lodge, a facility in Willowdale, says that 17 of its residents have come down with respiratory illness and five are suffering from Gastroenteritis. Dr. Belchetz also recommends that those who have come down with the flu  think twice before heading to the hospital. “You need to go to the hospital if you are having difficulty breathing, if you are having difficulty controlling your fever or if you are having difficulty staying hydrated,” he said. “Otherwise stay at home and try not to get other people sick.”

This CBC report deals with a Porter Airlines flight that turned back to Pearson shortly after take off from Billy Bishop Airport. There was a second incident on Porter, not as serious apparently, referenced in  this report. A third diversion occurred when an Air Canada flight landed at Pearson. Previous post.

China has blocked Gmail traffic in and out of the country in an apparent attempt to stop or slow down western influence. Google reports that exchanges on the popular service almost vanished on Friday, dropping to nearly zero.