Is It Time Aussies Started Wearing Masks? An Expert Answers
Walking down a crowded city street in Australia, sure, you'll see a few people wearing masks but not that many.
In some places in the USA, they're mandated, and that's causing a lot of drama. There's even a rise of 'anti-maskers'.
So, what's the deal here in Australia? With the outbreak in Victoria, is it time we started wearing masks to protect ourselves and others from COVID19? HEAR The Quicky podcast with Prof Raina Macintyre.
Curious pattern in coronavirus infection rate emerges, hinting it can ‘burn out’ at a certain point
People forget that the Spanish influenza pandemic occurred over a period of two years, and different people got infected in different waves. People who are uninfected will largely remain susceptible, and we will see second waves until an effective vaccine is available.” Prof Macintyre said READ MORE
Why Following Coronavirus Restrictions Is Harder the Second Time Around
Even during early lockdown, when there was less confusion about what constituted non-compliance, people were either misunderstanding or flouting the rules. Police issued thousands of infringement notices around the country. READ MORE
Coronavirus: The important virus question Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has to answer
As Victoria continues to struggle with its rising coronavirus cases, the Premier has acknowledged failures in infection control at two quarantine hotels in central Melbourne.
“It’s likely to be from one of the returned travellers, so that’s really the most important breach that needs to be addressed,” Prof Macintyre said READ MORE
States divided on compulsory testing of international travellers
Infectious disease expert Professor Raina MacIntyre, head of the biosecurity research program at the University of NSW's Kirby Institute, said it was vital for all returned travellers to be tested, as the 14-day incubation period was only an average.
"There are still a few people who can develop an infection after 14 days," she said.READ MORE
Victorian hot spots in lockdown from tonight but acting CMO questions border closures
Victoria has recorded another 73 new coronavirus cases today and residents of Melbourne's hotspot suburbs are preparing to enter lockdown from midnight tonight.
Testing, tracing and doorknocking is underway and police will be patrolling the boundaries of the locked-down postcodes.
Guest:
Professor Raina Macintyre, Head of Biosecurity at the Kirby Institute, University of New South Wales. HEAR Prof Raina Macintyre interview with ABC
How community transmission is very different to locally acquired coronavirus
The terms 'community transmission' and 'locally acquired' get thrown around a lot when we talk about coronavirus but they are not interchangeable.
So what's the difference, why does it matter and how do we prevent more outbreaks like those happening in Melbourne right now? READ MORE
Lockdown 2.0?
As fears grow of a 'tsunami' of new coronavirus cases across Australia, experts reveal the tough new measures they say must be enforced to prevent a second wave - as Victoria sees a 'resurgence of epic proportions' READ MORE
What a ‘Mild’ Case of Coronavirus Looks Like
The coronavirus pandemic has hit some shocking milestones in the months since it was first detected. It’s now infected more than 10 million people globally and caused the deaths of over 500,000. Despite this, the World Health Organisation (WHO) as well as Australia’s former chief medical officer has maintained that most of the cases are still considered mild. Here’s what that actually means. READ MORE
Saliva test missing about 13pc of COVID-19 infections, early studies show
Infectious disease expert Raina MacIntyre said while the saliva test could play a role in testing, it should be treated as a "back-up" and people must be counselled against relying on the result. READ MORE