City
Saturday Brew: Portraits of Smitherman, Metropass Discount for University Students, Next Phase of H1N1 Vaccine, the Decline of the East Danforth, and Pedestrian Danger
Photo: "loss" by yourhandinmine, member of the blogTO Flickr pool.
What's happening in the GTA (and sometimes beyond):
Both the Star and the Globe have prominent features on upcoming mayoral candidate George Smitherman. It's interesting to note the different approaches the writers take in alternately describing Smitherman as a "big bully" and a "tamer, gentler George." Despite these differences, they both paint the man as confident and hard working. It looks like it's going to be one hell of a battle between him and John Tory in next year's election.
University students might just get a break on their transportation costs. Of the proposals to be tabled at the TTC's next meeting, one that's getting some traction is the expansion of the student metropass to apply to university level students in addition to current high school users. Amen. I've thought they should do this for years. After all, it's really only by university that a large number of students are actually paying for their pass anyway.
The next phase of H1N1 vaccinations are set to go for Monday, as Toronto's top medical officer, Dr. Arlene King, reports that school-age children and Seniors are now on the priority list for the flu-shot. That's good news, but I wonder why it's only being made available at vaccination clinics and doctor's offices. Wouldn't it make sense to have nurses administer the vaccine at schools, thereby saving parents loads of time and hassle?
Although discussion of the state of Ossington has been popular of late and remains in the news, the decline of the Danforth is also generating interest. Despite the affluence of Greektown, crime and vandalism are on the rise east of Jones Ave. According to the article, the arrival of the subway to the area in the 1950s resulted in the loss of pedestrian traffic and local shop closures, which started the process of degeneration.
And although overall traffic fatalities around the city have significantly decreased, an abnormally high proportion of traffic-related deaths involve pedestrians. Last year about 50% of these fatalities involved pedestrians, but this year the number is up to 70%. Traffic Services spokesmen, Tim Burrows, isn't sure what the reasons for the increase are, but urges everyone to pay a little more attention -- never a bad idea.
Discussion
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Unfortunately school vaccinations are not just as simple as sending a group of nurses to a school. Forms are sent out months ahead of time for regular vaccinations and it takes months to organzie reqular vaccinations. The amount of time it takes would simply not be worth trying to set up the H1N1 vaccination in schools, especially if kids are supposed to get it as soon as possible.
I sort of want him to win, just to see what would happen. Would he end up punching Rob Ford? I believe the odds are better than we think.
I'm not saying that flu shots at schools are necessarily a good idea, but these are silly objections.
Most of the reports I see about pedestrian fatalities are caused by pedestrians crossing where they shouldn't, and being run over by speeders. So ticketing speeders is actually ticketing for safety, unfortunately the fines and points are not always a large enough deterrent to motivate people to slow down.
The only time I've come close to being hit, though, was when I was crossing with the walk light and a woman apparently spaced out and nearly drove through a red light.
(Fifth Business is not just a book, btw)
next year, they are going to blame university students metropass for the revenue loss, just wait and see..
If more people die from the regular flu than from H1N1, why is it that the H1N1 is the big talk in the news?
Media hypes it up, people get scared, they rush to make a vaccine, and the result is ridiculous long lines to get a vaccination for a strand of the flu that has been over hyped.
Why is it when someone dies from the regular flu - you don't see it on the front page of every newspaper and on the 6'oclock news?
Do Dat
Fifth Business - are you the 905-area interior designer? Then you know NOTHING about walking.
On Sunday night I was driving home from my parents and a guy was making a point of walking as slowly as he could across an intersection where I wanted to turn right, he made eye contact with me so he knew I was there. He was texting away and struggling to keep his pants from falling to his ankles as he finally got to the sidewalk where he hesitated before getting off the street so I could turn.
Is this the profound respect pedestrians like you have for others?
I made no smug generalization - I posed a question not a pointed finger. A$$hole.
And you did make a generization in assuming that people who live in 905 know NOTHING about walking and in believing that cars and cyclists are the only people being disrespectful. You should also call your "mommy and daddy" tonight, since you seem to have some need to mock people who visit family? Maybe some love would do your ego some good. :)