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'No bare bottoms!': Norman Swan weighs in on corona-farts Apr 17, 2020

Show notes

It's the question everyone wants to know: can you get coronavirus from farts?

Dr Norman Swan has a strong opinion on fighting the scourge of corona-farting, and asks Australians to make yet another sacrifice.

We promise the rest of the episode isn't as silly. It's actually very interesting.

In today's episode:

* Are Australian governments trying to eliminate coronavirus, but just aren't telling us yet?

* When do you know if you’re sick enough to go to the hospital?

* Can microwaves kill coronavirus?

* Can you get coronavirus from farts?

And Dr Norman Swan discusses some research from Nature Medicine about when people are most infectious with the SARS-Cov-2 virus.

The search for a coronavirus vaccine and the challenges we're facing Apr 16, 2020

Show notes

Scientists are desperately searching for a coronavirus vaccine, but before that can happen there's a whole bunch of stuff they need to discover.

One of those things is working out how the body's immune system responds to the virus that causes COVID-19.

It has implications not only for vaccine discovery, but also how long people may stay immune after recovering.

On today's show:

* Anti-bodies. What are they and how do they work?

* Is there a test that can detect them?

* How long might you stay immune after a vaccine or infection?

And we're also joined by Professor Declan Murphy from Melbourne's Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre to discuss the worrying phenomenon of cancer patients who may be frightened to continue their care because they're worried about picking up the virus while visiting the doctor.

Australia is doing well. But where are we heading next? Apr 15, 2020

Show notes

In the scheme of things, Australia is becoming a bit of a poster child for how to handle the coronavirus pandemic.

Helped by having no land borders and by locking things down relatively quickly, the number of positive cases is now low.

But that can change quickly.

Today on Coronacast, where are we headed? What could life look like in the weeks ahead?

On today's show:

* Why are death rates different from country to country?

And Dr Norman Swan also talks about some research on how effective school closures are on controlling coronavirus spread.

Why flatten the curve when we could eradicate coronavirus? Apr 14, 2020

Show notes

Forget flattening the curve. There’s a radical approach to coronavirus that could have us out of our houses and back at work or school without having to worry about the virus.

It's called eradication, and it’s New Zealand goal. If they pull it off they could end social distancing in a month.

We're also joined by Professor Ian Hickie to answer your questions on mental health.

On today's show:

* What are the best mental health strategies for people self-isolating on their own?

* What do people do who have major pre-existing depression and are living alone?

* What do I do for loved ones who have a mental health issue?

* I am hating all these Zoom parties. Is this just the introvert life or am I coping worse than I think I am?

Do animals get coronavirus? We answer more kids' questions! Apr 13, 2020

Show notes

Scientists have given coronavirus to ferrets, dogs and cats to try and find out how the virus works.

It turns out some animals can contract and potentially spread coronavirus – and that includes household pets.

In today’s Coronacast, Dr Norman Swan and health reporter Tegan Taylor answer more questions from kids about the pandemic.

On today's show:

* James asks why is the coronavirus also called COVID-19?

* Finn asks does it make animals sick?

* Estelle asks when can I see my grandparents?

* Alice asks why do adults get coronavirus worse than children?

* Oliver asks how close are we to discovering a vaccine for COVID-19?

And don’t forget about the Together In Art Kids project! See our website at abc.net.au/coronacast for more information.

You've probably heard these coronavirus myths. Did you fall for them? Apr 10, 2020

Show notes

A week ago, we put the call out for coronavirus social media myths and asked you to send them in. And we got a lot of them.

One of the most common was a fake email that says it’s from a staff member of a hospital.

It contains a whole list of tips like don't drink cold water, and offers ways to check at home if you have coronavirus.

So we took the claims, and put them to Dr Norman Swan.

Some of the email myths checked on today’s show:

* Do you only have a cold if you have a running nose?

* Does coronavirus die if you warm it up to 27 degrees?

* Should you drink hot liquids and avoid drinks with ice?

* Will salt water protect you?

* Is there a way to check if you have coronavirus by breathing in deeply and seeing if you cough?

Also, since it’s Easter, we ask Norman if eating chocolate while in quarantine is a bad thing.

And Norman has an exciting announcement. To find out more, check out our website at abc.net.au/coronacast

How to get groceries without bringing home coronavirus Apr 09, 2020

Show notes

One of the few things we're able to do with social distancing is go to the supermarkets.

We've had heaps of questions from people who are wondering the best way to stay safe.

So if you have to visit the supermarket this Easter, here's a few tips to avoid getting coronavirus when you're out and about.

On today's show:

* How far should I keep away from other customers?

* Should staff be wearing masks and gloves?

* What are the chances of picking up coronavirus from products on the shelves?

* Is it a good idea to sterilise stuff I buy when I get home?

* How do I make disinfectants at home?

* Still not sure how to wash fruit and vegetables. With detergent?

* Does boiling water kill the virus?

* How long does coronavirus last in the fridge? Freezer?

* If I coat my hands in soap, is that enough?

We are looking for questions about mental health for an episode next week, so send them in with CORONACAST in the question at abc.net.au/coronavirus

The second week crash. Why Week Two as a coronavirus patient is so scary Apr 08, 2020

Show notes

British PM Boris Johnson’s health has deteriorated as he enters the second week of being diagnosed with COVID-19.

The 55-year old's experience is what many people have gone through, but it shows the dangers people often face in the later stages of trying to fight off the virus.

Today, Dr Norman Swan explains why it is known as the second week crash.

On today’s episode:

* If soap and water kills coronavirus why not just wash medical clothing?

* If the acids in the gut kill this virus, why does faeces still have it?

* Why has coronavirus spread so far across the world and not to the rest of China?

* Why are people across the world spraying disinfectant on streets?

* What is happening in Japan and Sweden where they appeared to have a handle on the virus, but are now experiencing a rapid uptake

And Tegan gives us a rundown of how scientists have come up with a way to "hear" the virus which causes COVID-19.

Trump loves an old anti-malarial drug. Is it the elixir to cure coronavirus? Apr 07, 2020

Show notes

American President Donald Trump has been talking a lot about a certain drug called hydroxychloroquine.

It's an old anti-malarial which is sometimes used to treat auto-immune diseases.

So can it cure COVID-19? Why the hype?

On today's show:

* How do I safely manage work clothes?

* When we wash our hands to wash away the bad germs, do we wash away the good germs too?

* Is large scale temperature checking useful to find people who may have the virus?

* Can two positively diagnosed COVID-19 people live together in the same house?

* Is coronavirus more agressive overseas?

And a study (preprint) from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine has looked into physical distancing and has found that it works amazingly well.

Do masks help protect you from coronavirus? Apr 06, 2020

Show notes

After insisting masks were unnecessary, US health authorities are now telling people to cover their faces in public to protect themselves from spreading or catching coronavirus.

But in Australia, the message is that masks are crucial for health workers, but not recommended for the public.

Dr Norman Swan and health reporter Tegan Taylor discuss the merits of masks, and if wrapping a scarf around your face will help.

On today's show:

* Masks. What's the deal? Do they work?

* Why am I having such wild dreams at the moment?

* If you need an urgent repair in your home, is it safe to ask a tradie to come over?

Norman and Tegan also discuss a new study about how blood pressure medication and if it increases the risk of problems if you get COVID-19.

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