What's That Rash? - TopPodcast.com

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SA's coronavirus outbreak. What happens now? Nov 16, 2020

Show notes

South Australian health authorities say several people have tested positive to coronavirus outside of hotel quarantine.

They're urging anyone with the mildest of symptoms to come forward for testing, as attempts are made to try and work out how far the virus may have got and where it has come from.

It's been many months since there's been cases of unknown origin in South Australia.

So on today's Coronacast, why this is a massive wake up call that the virus hasn't gone away.

Also on today's show:

* New study showing how much coronavirus might have gone under the radar in Sydney

* How big a risk is Christmas and New Year in "complacent" states like Western Australia?

* If a vaccine becomes available early next year, would you recommend someone who is pregnant getting it?

Everything you've wanted to know about sewage testing Nov 13, 2020

Show notes

In the fight against COVID, it turns out that regular old sewage could be a major tool in detecting outbreaks long before people even come forward for testing.

In many states, health authorities are regularly testing sewage for SARS-CoV-2 - the virus that causes COVID - as an early warning system that the virus is circulating.

And the idea that a single positive person could be detected via a city's sewage system has captivated Coronacast's audience - so today's episode is answering everything you've ever wanted to know about sewage.

A vaccine means a quick return to normal right? Right???????? Nov 12, 2020

Show notes

With the great news about the Pfizer vaccine still celebrated around the world, you'd be forgiven for thinking that the pandemic's days will soon be numbered.

But sadly, that's not that case, as is the hope that we'll bounce right back again to normal.

That's because the vaccine might not stop you getting the virus, it'll just protect you from getting too sick.

And that matters because if everyone can still get the virus and infect others, what do you do about the large numbers of people who are unprotected?

Also today: what is "viral shedding"? Is a shedder a spreader?

What we still don't know about the vaccine announcement (but it's ok to be excited!) Nov 11, 2020

Show notes

The drug company Pfizer has announced its coronavirus vaccine has 90 per cent efficacy against COVID-19.

It seems like exciting news, especially as it's one of the four vaccines the Australian Government has secured a deal to access if it proves safe and effective.

But Pfizer haven't provided much in the way of data to explain their claims -- just a press release so far.

So exactly how promising is this news? And what does all the scientific words like "90 per cent efficacy" actually mean?

First bats, now Danish mink. How worried should we be? Nov 10, 2020

Show notes

Millions of small carnivorous animals in Denmark - otherwise known as mink - are being killed due to concerns that they might pass a mutated form of coronavirus onto humans.

The animal, which looks a little bit like a ferret, is prized for its fur in making coats.

The concern is that the mutated strain of the virus might not be susceptible to the vaccines currently in development.

On today's Coronacast, how worried should we be?

Also on today's show:

* What do we miss when we keep older people out of vaccine trials?

* Norman do you really believe all these Victorian zeros?

* Placebo effect aside, would gargling scotch help treat a COVID-19 infection?

Can Biden bring the US back from the coronavirus brink? Nov 09, 2020

Show notes

President-elect Joe Biden has already signalled that one of his first big jobs when he takes office will be to try to get the coronavirus pandemic under control.

To date, the US has had nearly 10 million cases and 240,000 deaths, and both measures are getting worse by the week.

So on today's Coronacast, with the pandemic already at a massive scale and growing, what's it going to take to pull the country back from the brink?

Also on today's show:

* When will masks no longer be mandatory in Victoria, given the continued low numbers, and inconsistency with comparable states like NSW?

* Why doesn't NSW do some mass testing in the areas of concern? Wouldn't that help flush out cases?

Will there be not one, not two but FOUR vaccine options? Nov 06, 2020

Show notes

As the search for a coronavirus vaccine continues, the Federal Government has signed a few new agreements to get Australians access to potential COVID-19 vaccines next year.

The new deals are with two international vaccine companies and are in addition to the deals already signed with the University of Queensland and the Oxford vaccine deal.

The vaccines are currently in various stages of clinical trials, so why sign so many deals when none of the vaccines have yet been proven to even work.

Also on today's show:

* Victoria has no more active coronavirus cases in its aged care sector

* Do Norman and Tegan realise that there are actually more the three states in the Commonwealth of Australia?

And it's also time for Quick Fire Friday!

How do we still not know the coronavirus's origin story? Nov 05, 2020

Show notes

Coronavirus is now nearly a year old, and despite it being studied by scientists from nearly every angle imaginable, we still don't know its origin story.

While researchers can give us a good guess: it began in an animal somewhere in China, but locking it down more than that has been harder.

And it matters because unless we fully understand why and how this pandemic came into existence, we might let the next one get away too.

Also on today's show:

* NZ shows again it's never game over for coronavirus

* QR code changes in NSW

* I have been having a glass of scotch every night to kill any virus that I might have caught through the day. Will this work and if not then at least I will have the placebo effect?

Will NSW soon be the odd one out? Nov 04, 2020

Show notes

For the last several months, it's been obvious that Victoria has been responsible for the most new locally-acquired coronavirus cases.

But as the days tick by, it's increasingly NSW where we're seeing small numbers of new cases being added to the tally from small, managed outbreaks.

But as the country continues to once again open domestic borders, could NSW be at risk of being left behind?

Also on today's show:

* We address some feedback on masks and blood oxygen levels

* And on complacency, how do you deal with people who want you to "tough it out" and come to work sick?

Also, check out America, If You're Listening's coronavirus episode here: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/russia-if-youre-listening/how-coronavirus-destroyed-trumps-maga-promise/12826142

What are the risks of too many donut days? Nov 03, 2020

Show notes

You might have heard about so-called 'donut days' - days where zero cases of coronavirus are recorded.

To yesterday, Victoria has recorded three donut days in a row which is a huge relief for the state which peaked at 700 daily infections back in July and August.

But with the excitement of donut days, and now that they're becoming more common than not, there's always the risk that people will get comfortable with their new reality, and complacency could once again set in.

Also on today's show:

* I'm coming from the country to Sydney, how safe is public transportation?

And Norman and Tegan discuss a couple of studies about masks - one showing the difference between two cities in America: one with a mask mandate and one without. And also a study on masks and oxygen levels.

And are we getting closer to discovering how President Trump got coronavirus?

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