5G Conspiracy Theories (Part 2)

Warning - Adult/Explicit content in this episode. It’s hard to imagine a work practice any more socially non-distant than sex work. To talk about the impact of the pandemic on this racy industry, we speak to sex worker and CEO of Australian Sex Workers Association Scarlet Alliance - Jules Kim. (⚠️ Warning: obviously there is a discussion of adult themes in this episode, so it's recommended not to listen with kids in the car unless you're ready for the birds and the bees chat) Today's news headlines: New Zealand could be open before QLD PM takes responsibility for massive JobKeeper mistake The AFL and NRL’s plans to get fans back in stadiums US threatens to sever ties with Australia over Victorian project In today's Briefing we ask: How has sex work been impacted during the pandemic and social distancing? Should it be allowed to reopen under Step 3 of the Covid rollback plan?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

24 Mai 202020min

Why is COVID-19 killing more men everywhere? Why do men and women die differently? Why do women outlive men? To find out, we speak to Dr Sharon Moalem - Author “The better half. The genetic superiority of women” and Dr Rebecca Kippen – a Demographer from Monash University. Today's news headlines: QLD Premier not bothered by Pauline Hanson’s threat to take state to High Court Lockdown now eased in every American state Police say car crash into hijab shop that injured 14 not terror-related Australian unfair dismissal claims up 70% In today's Briefing we ask: Why are more men dying from coronavirus? When it comes to pandemics why don’t men do as well as women? What gives females this leg up when it comes to survival? What does it mean that women are genetically superior to men? How does genetics and behaviour affect the longevity of Men vs Women both during a pandemic and beyond?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

21 Mai 202020min

The coronavirus pandemic has sent 5G fear into overdrive, with several conspiracy theories emerging. So we put all the big questions to Professor Rodney Croft from the Australian Centre for Electromagnetic Bio Effects research at the University of Wollongong. In today's news headlines: Qantas unveils “Fly Well” program: face masks but no spare seats China labels Australia’s inquiry vindication claims as “nothing but a joke” Masterchef contestant charged with sexual assault Aussie music festival FOMO goes into liquidation In today's Briefing we ask: At the heart of the 5G debate is the concern that radio waves are harmful to our health - is that true? At what levels are radio waves harmful? How much research has been done on the harms of 5G itself? We know that people around the world have been setting 5G towers on fire - do the towers pose a greater risk? Can 5G radio waves can harm your immune system making you more vulnerable to Covid-19? Can radio waves spread Covid-19? What research is often used to justify conspiracy theories?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

19 Mai 202021min

Health experts believe vaping is more effective than nicotine patches and gum and is the most popular quitting aid in countries where it is available... then why is it illegal in Australia? We’ll explain the key arguments and find out why Australia is taking a tougher stance than other western countries, and why its such a divisive issue here. To find out more we speak to Professor Colin Mendelsohn who is Chairman of Tobacco Harm Reduction. In today's news headlines: China caves and supports independent coronavirus inquiry championed by Australia States being pressured to reopen borders AFL introduces “bonk ban” to stop covid-19 spread Puppy scammers taking advantage of rise in adoptions In today's Briefing we ask: Is vaping safer than smoking? Is there evidence it helps you quit smoking? If it’s better for you than smoking, why hasn’t it been legalised? Flavoured vaping V’s nicotine vaping and could vaping be a gateway for smoking in young people? How do we sift through the suspicion around vaping because of the tobacco industry’s involvement?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

18 Mai 202017min

Millions of us are currently working from home because of the pandemic, but could working from home become the new normal? Today our guest is Organisational Psychologist Amantha Imber. In today's news headlines: 62 countries back Australia’s call for a coronavirus enquiry Western Australia, Tasmania opening up as Victoria reveals its roadmap Police still not sure how AFL player was stabbed Aussie shoppers flock to stores buying PJs, trackies, casual gear It turns out Dr Google’s wrong most of the time In today's Briefing we ask: If studies are showing that people get more done working from home, there’s higher job satisfaction and in some cases we took shorter breaks and had less sick days, why is it not the done thing? What has the pandemic has taught us about working from home? What are the biggest benefits and the downsides? How can we build and maintain our connections while WFH? Which businesses both at home and abroad are adopting working from home as being a normal part of the job?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

17 Mai 202018min

The insane seems to have been dialled up in the midst of this pandemic when it comes to the conspiracy theories people are sharing on their social Media. We speak to Sabrina Gewargis who jumps right in, and we find out why she takes it upon herself to correct people. We also catch up with Tech Writer Claire Riley for her tips, and what the tech companies are doing in this space to ensure misinformation is curtailed. In today's news headlines: Almost 600,000 Aussies lost their job in April End to national manhunt with man arrested in Sydney Eurovision might be cancelled but we’re getting next best thing In today's Briefing we ask: Research has found that fake news travels faster and farther than real news, but what do you do when you see it? Do you jump in and correct misinformation on Social Media or do you just let it fly through to the keeper? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

14 Mai 202019min

Deputy Chief Medical Officer Professor Michael Kidd is today's guest and he joins us to answer your burning questions around Coronavirus. Questions were submitted via our Instagram account: @thebriefingpodcast Today's news headlines: Pubs and clubs opening in a stack of Aussie states and territories The Queensland government wants to buy Virgin Australia AFL’s restart hopes hurt as South Australia refuses to waive quarantine rules Travel boss who said Tracey Grimshaw needed a “firm uppercut” resigns Aussie band Powderfinger is reuniting for their first show in a decade In today's Briefing we ask: As we wind back our lockdown measures, is there a specific number of outbreaks where we’d see the lockdown measures would be brought back in? Is it better to manage people’s reintroduction into the community than let them take matters into their own hands because they’re fed up with the social isolation, how our health dept manages the human psychology of this? Why are we being encouraged to get the flu shot when it doesn’t combat COVID-19? Is there a risk of the virus becoming resistant to hand sanitiser or disinfectants given we’re using them at such high levels? Is there any sense of when we might be able to travel further afield than Australia or New Zealand? What is the Kawaski disease and how concerned should we be about it? Are we likely to see more of these Novel viruses in the future?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

13 Mai 202019min