By now you've heard more than enough about balloon boy and yesterday's news that the local sheriff's office will soon file criminal charges. Last week I wrote about the appropriateness of having an inflatable spaceship in one's backyard, which was what boggled the minds of parents as "the scene" originally unfolded. Now, of course, the story has evolved from one of startling negligence to choreographed publicity stunt.
The appropriateness of using your children in an elaborate plot to snag oneself a reality-TV show? Of hauling your vomiting child onto the sets of network television programs? It's too obvious to dwell on for long.
Here's are the other news stories you'll want to read today:
Swine flu has been linked to 11 more child deaths in the U.S. The figures here offer some important context about scale of this flu compared to normal seasonal influenza, and about the impact of this flu on children. While the Centers for Disease Control normally record between 40 and 50 child deaths over the course of an entire flu season, swine flu has already been linked to 43. And that's in a country where immunization is already underway.
Flu vaccines are just arriving in Canadian provinces and territories. The Canadian government has been under tremendous scrutiny for being behind other nations, such as the United States and Australia, on the timing of this vaccine roll-out.
Deaf and hearing-impaired children do not have equal access to health care or to the help they need in schools. The advocates in this story liken children being offered just one cochlear implant to giving a double amputee just one artificial limb. Plus, they point out that all children have an equal legal right to special accommodations in school, but purchases of special headsets or other equipment is up to individual schools, and in many cases, is just not given priority.
Hot water is no better for hand-washing than cold or lukewarm. I know I've wasted thousands of litres of water waiting for it the water to warm-up washing my hands or my children's hands. This is good news both for the environment and everyone's dry hands.
Smoking could be banned in Peel apartments and condos. Public health officials are making the case that smoking in these buildings presents a second-hand smoke risk to neighbours.
And here's some other fun stuff to check out today:
Scientists find 32 new planets
Youth cooking contest at Royal Winter Fair
Michele Henry's latest baby blog post
Ann Douglas's The Mother of All Parenting Blogs








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