What's That Rash? - TopPodcast.com

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Is it too late to eliminate coronavirus, even if we wanted to? Jul 13, 2020

Show notes

There have been hundreds more cases of coronavirus over the weekend in Victoria, with more and more outbreaks popping up.

New South Wales is also battling its own outbreak, which has come from a pub in south-west Sydney.

With the amount of virus now washing around the community, has Australia missed its chance at eliminating coronavirus even if it wanted to?

On today's show:

* Has the surge in cases in Victoria peaked yet?

* Why are there so many cases per day in Victoria?

* How do I prevent spread between household members when there is only one bathroom?

And Norman and Tegan discuss a recent study in The Lancet about so-called herd immunity, and how even countries that have suffered terribly are still a long way away from enough of the population being immune.

With hundreds of cases this week, has Australia blown it? Jul 10, 2020

Show notes

Let's face it: it hasn't exactly been a great week this week for coronavirus.

Victoria has outbreaks occurring all over the place, Australia's second largest city is in lockdown and other states and territories are terrified of cases flowing over to them.

It's all looking very messy. So has Australia blown it? Or can we fight back against SARS-CoV-2?

On today's show:

* Has Australia blown it?

* Should other states continue winding back restrictions and social distancing requirements?

* How do we know if the virus is emerging?

* Has the recommendation on masks changed?

* Should I wear a mask? What about my baby?

Is Victoria the wake up call Australia needed? Jul 09, 2020

Show notes

Borders have been thrown up around Victoria as other states try to limit importing coronavirus infections.

But it's been too late for the ACT and NSW, which yesterday had cases that were linked back to Victorian residents.

It has kickstarted a lesson about if we've been too complacent with personal social distancing and relaxing restrictions.

So is what's happening in Victoria the wake up call Australia needed?

On today's show:

* Is the rest of Australia ready for coronavirus?

* What lessons can we learn from what's happening in Victoria?

* Why has Victoria gone with a six week lockdown?

* What does Norman have against the ACT? He never mentions Canberra on Coronacast.

* What's the difference between droplets and aerosols? And why does it matter?

Melbourne's 42 days of lockdown. Will it work? Jul 08, 2020

Show notes

The number of new coronavirus cases in Melbourne has finally hit a high enough level for the Victorian Government to put the city back into lockdown.

Melbourne will be in lockdown for the next six weeks, or 42 days, with people only being allowed out for four specific reasons: care, essential purchases, exercise and school or work.

It's a remarkable turnaround from only a month ago, where elimination and international travel bubbles were on the agenda.

So why put the lockdowns in now? Will they work? And why is it going to be so much harder the second time around?

Are Melbourne's current lockdowns enough? Jul 07, 2020

Show notes

There are now all sorts of different lockdowns in Victoria as the state's active caseload of coronavirus gets worse and worse.

The number of cases has more than doubled in the last week, and is showing no signs of slowing down.

Borders will be closed with NSW from midnight, a hard lockdown remains in place for residents in public housing towers and softer restrictions apply to people in hotspots.

But is it all enough? Or is just delaying the inevitable citywide lockdown?

On today’s show:

* Are the measures in Melbourne enough?

* Given Victoria's daily case count is higher than during the March peak will the whole of Melbourne go back to harder restrictions? And will school go back?

* What’s the latest understanding of COVID-19's case fatality rate?

And Norman and Tegan discuss the letter to the World Health Organisation, signed by more than 230 scientists, arguing that coronavirus is airborne. And also research in The Lancet which might indicate that we're worrying way too much about getting COVID-19 from surfaces.

Is Melbourne becoming a nightmare? Jul 06, 2020

Show notes

The coronavirus situation in Melbourne is getting more and more serious, with hundreds of people in public housing units forced into hard lockdown over the weekend.

The Victorian Government has announced a series of support measures for the residents of the high-rise buildings as they're unable to go out.

It's a scary prospect for the residents, and a potentially nightmarish situation with hundreds of people living in densely populated buildings.

On today's show:

* Victoria has had a bad weekend. What’s likely to happen now?

* I'm not in a Melbourne hotspot, but should I go to a dinner that was organised before the surge in cases or stay at home?

* Is getting on a plane and flying to a job interview a good idea at the moment?

We have a clarification about staying home after being tested in Victoria's testing blitz last week, and Norman has an update on how a few COVID-19 treatments are going and which ones the World Health Organisation has removed from its list because they don't work.

Cases are popping up in other states. Are we losing control? Jul 03, 2020

Show notes

If you've been watching the coronavirus news this week, you may have reacted with a bit of alarm after seeing that cases seem to be slipping out of Victoria and into other states and territories.

The NT and NSW have reported cases that came from people travelling from Victoria, and contact tracing is underway.

So as cases pop up around the country, Coronacast listeners are wondering: are we losing control?

On today's show:

* As cases spread beyond Victoria, are we losing control?

* Why are we making such a big deal about the infections when clearly the hospital rate is almost non-existent?

Norman and Tegan discuss some responses to yesterday's question about why people in Melbourne might be refusing to be tested for coronavirus.

And it's Friday, which means it's time for the quick-fire round!

* Are workers who are testing people tested for COVID-19?

* Will our DNA be stored after taking the test?

* In the UK there was a trial of a COVID-19 test that takes 20 minutes with no lab testing required. Do we know how that trial went?

* If a person goes for a test but prior to testing that person used an alcohol based antibacterial mouthwash, could it show up as a false negative?

* How will I know if I am a close contact of a positive case? Will someone call me?

Why are some people refusing to get tested? Jul 02, 2020

Show notes

With huge amounts of coronavirus testing going on, one of the more disturbing statistics is the number of people who are refusing to be tested.

Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews said on Monday that as part of Victoria's testing blitz, more than 900 people had refused tests.

So why is it happening? Tegan and Norman go through our huge list of audience questions and comments to try and find out.

On today's show:

* Why are people refusing to be tested for coronavirus?

* The virus doesn't recognise someone's home address as a boundary. Is it enough to single out just those suburbs in Melbourne for lockdown?

* I have read that gastro-like symptoms have been a first symptom of COVID-19 in children. Should I get my child tested if they have these symptoms?

* Norman mentioned on Wednesday that China was testing something on its military. Do you know anything more about that?

* What are the rules when it comes to social distancing now in states where there is less virus?

Lockdown! Victoria's big move to try and stop coronavirus Jul 01, 2020

Show notes

Victoria has again forced large parts of Melbourne into lockdown, in an attempt to try and halt the spread of coronavirus.

Listing postcodes in so-called "hot zones" where restrictions will apply, Victoria's Premier Daniel Andrews says the "extraordinary steps" were necessary to contain a surge in infections.

The orders effectively place some suburbs back under the same restrictions from the start of the pandemic.

So will it help stop the spread?

On today's show:

* Why are people in Melbourne being forced back into lockdown?

* As cases rise in Victoria, why aren't we seeing more people in hospital like what happened the first time?

* There hasn't been a treatment or vaccine for SARS and MERS, why do we think there will be one for coronavirus?

* There are antiviral drugs for HIV, could we see a similar approach for coronavirus?

Why isn't Victoria locking it all down? Jun 30, 2020

Show notes

Victoria registered 75 new cases of coronavirus on Monday – one of the highest daily increases in new cases since the pandemic began.

Last time the curve was becoming this steep, Australia was put into lockdown.

And while that hasn't happened again yet, Victorian authorities aren't ruling it out.

But if keeping coronavirus under control is so important, why wait?

On today's show:

* Is it time to get worried about Victoria?

* If controlling community transmission is so important in containing the spread then why is the Victorian government not taking any measures?

* Will you finally admit that Victoria is experiencing a second wave of infections?

* Is diminished or loss of sense of smell a permanent or temporary complication of COVID-19?

* Is it safer to fly in business class or does the air circulate regardless and make no difference on such a long trip?

And Norman and Tegan discuss some research about COVID-19 in children and infants, which found that while most kids only suffer from mild conditions, some develop severe disease.

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