Could our sewage save us from the pandemic?
The Briefing7 Jul 2020

Could our sewage save us from the pandemic?

Experts at the Australian National University have been testing Canberra's sewage water for traces of COVID-19. Testing wastewater is a quick and inexpensive way of tracking the coronavirus and potentially alerting communities of an outbreak before it occurs, so should it be rolled out across the country?

We speak to Dr Aparna Lal from the ANU Research School of Population Health who is leading the team of researchers that took daily samples of wastewater covering the whole of the ACT, and found no traces of the virus. So is testing toilet water the answer?

In today's news headlines:

  • Melbourne plunged back into lockdown as NSW border slams shut
  • “Don’t go to China,” warns federal government
  • US considers TikTok ban
  • Leading scientist says facemask refusers should be treated like drink drivers

In today's Briefing we ask: what can we pick up from testing sewage? Is this a way to get ahead of the curve compared to mainstream testing methods? Can you test the sewage of a specific localised area? How long has this kind of testing been going on? Does this method show undetected community transmission? Can it only detect the presence of coronavirus or does it give an indication of 'how much' virus is in an area? What's the legality around testing sewage? Are there any privacy concerns?

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Episoder(2611)

Epstein Files: A prince fell, is a PM next? + Tony Mokbel freed

Epstein Files: A prince fell, is a PM next? + Tony Mokbel freed

Hundreds of new 'Jeffrey Epstein files' were dropped this week, with more damaging allegations about high-profile politicians. The British PM Keir Starmer’s leadership is now under serious threat afte...

6 Feb 16min

Pauline’s pitch to the Coalition + Bad Bunny’s historic halftime show

Pauline’s pitch to the Coalition + Bad Bunny’s historic halftime show

Friday Headlines: Deadline looms for Coalition reunion, Penny Wong defends Israeli President’s visit among death threats, Queensland man charged with 596 child abuse offences, child vaccination rates ...

5 Feb 22min

The systemic failings in Bondi stabbings + Invasion Day terror charges

The systemic failings in Bondi stabbings + Invasion Day terror charges

The findings of the coronial inquest into the Bondi Junction Westfield stabbing attack have been handed down, and they paint a devastating picture of a mental health system riddled with gaps. Six peop...

5 Feb 17min

Bill Gates breaks silence on Epstein + How to buy a politician

Bill Gates breaks silence on Epstein + How to buy a politician

Thursday Headlines: Future of Coalition in doubt after peace talks fail again, Donald Trump’s would-be assassin handed life sentence, Bill Gates denies ‘false’ allegations in new Epstein files, promin...

4 Feb 21min

Young Aussies know less about sex than you think + US shoots Iranian Drone

Young Aussies know less about sex than you think + US shoots Iranian Drone

Every year, hundreds of young Australians aged 15 to 29 take part in the Burnet Institute’s Sex, Drugs and Rock ’n’ Roll survey - a look into the behaviours, attitudes, and well-being of our nation’s ...

4 Feb 12min

Interest rates blame game + Fact-checking TikTok’s talking veggies

Interest rates blame game + Fact-checking TikTok’s talking veggies

Wednesday Headlines: Four major banks pass on interest rate hike, first senior royal publicly comments on latest release of Epstein files, Melbourne man charged over allegedly giving Nazi salute to Je...

3 Feb 21min

Pauline Hanson’s recruitment strategy  + RBA lifts rates

Pauline Hanson’s recruitment strategy + RBA lifts rates

Former Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi is the latest recruit to join One Nation as support for the party continues to soar. So, will the swing to the hard right One Nation party work in the long-term as...

3 Feb 20min

The pollies pocketing dark money + The Trump 'vanity project' on Albo's desk

The pollies pocketing dark money + The Trump 'vanity project' on Albo's desk

Tuesday Headlines: Parliament back today with a split Coalition, Australia's political donors revealed, Trump threatens to sue Grammy host Trevor Noah, millions lost in daytime spending during recent ...

2 Feb 21min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

giver-og-gjengen-vg
aftenpodden
aftenpodden-usa
forklart
i-retten
stopp-verden
popradet
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
rss-gukild-johaug
nokon-ma-ga
fotballpodden-2
det-store-bildet
dine-penger-pengeradet
rss-ness
aftenbla-bla
hanna-de-heldige
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-dannet-uten-piano
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk
rss-utenrikskomiteen-med-bogen-og-grasvik