Media stories for December 4, 2012

Can you die of a broken heart? Science says “maybe,” and holiday stress doesn’t help
National Post
The holidays can be tough. The commercialization that comes with the occasion places pressure on everyone — but perhaps the most pressure falls on the lonely. This, at least, was what I was thinking while I sat in on a fascinating presentation recently at a conference for primary-care physicians staged by Vancouver’s St. Paul’s Hospital.

Healthcare workers cheer softened stand on flu shots
Globe and Mail
The province’s health-care workers are hailing a last-minute reprieve in a landmark policy by public health officials that would have forced them to receive a flu shot or wear a surgical mask during their shifts.

Nurses union did little to end mandatory flu shots for staff
The Province – Letter to the editor
“The BC Nurses Union might have announced that the province reversed its flu-shot policy for health-care workers but I’m here to tell you and your readers that the nurses had little, if nothing, to do with making it happen. It behooves your journalists to dig a little bit deeper before regurgitating their misleading press release on this.”

Proposed recovery house angers North Vancouver residents
Globe and Mail
A proposal to build a recovery house on land designated for park use in the District of North Vancouver is not sitting well with some area residents, who say the project, if approved, could set a worrisome precedent.