[Original inspiration]

Bea Arthur was all up in my newsfeed this weekend, mostly in response to her now being dead.
Here’s a statistical analysis of this activity.  Be forewarned: this is real science. Prepare yourself accordingly.
Figure 1. Number of newsfeed items referencing Bea Arthur’s death, 48 hrs following death

Twelve gay people have mentioned Bea Arthur’s death on Facebook, [...]

Could the following things be connected!?

Bea Arthur’s death
PTSD-inducing low-flying jumbo jets in Manhattan
Swine flu outbreak

My Catholic upbringing has always taught me that bad things come in threes.
I suspect this as the common link.