I was wondering if I really have to write:
if (status) { $(\'#status-image-\' + id).fadeIn(); } else { $(\'#status-image-\' + id).fadeOut(); }
No, there is not, but you can make one like that:
jQuery.fn.fadeInOrOut = function(status){ return status ? this.fadeIn() : this.fadeOut(); }
and then call it like that (see this jsfiddle for a proof):
$('#status-image-' + id).fadeInOrOut(status);
Is it what you wanted?