Could our sewage save us from the pandemic?
The Briefing7 Juli 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.

Avsnitt(2605)

 The fuel warning Govt’s ignored a decade ago + New conditions for Kyle and Jackie O

The fuel warning Govt’s ignored a decade ago + New conditions for Kyle and Jackie O

Australia is facing growing concern over its fuel security, with experts warning the country remains dangerously dependent on overseas supplies. In this episode of The Briefing, Natarsha Belling is j...

16 Mars 20min

OSCARS special coverage

OSCARS special coverage

The 98th Academy Awards are underway. Hosted by TV presenter and comedian Conan O’Brien in Hollywood, they honour the best films from 2025. In this special Oscars coverage from The Briefing team, we...

15 Mars 14min

Fifth Iranian woman rescinds asylum + The problems with our new porn laws

Fifth Iranian woman rescinds asylum + The problems with our new porn laws

Monday Headlines: Four more Iranian soccer players give up asylum in Australia Gov expects inflation to rise, while facing pressure to send warship to Middle East New leader has little impact on Coa...

15 Mars 25min

BONUS: Expert tips for a pay rise, promotion and getting ahead

BONUS: Expert tips for a pay rise, promotion and getting ahead

Getting ahead in the workplace is something many Australians aspire to - but for a lot of women, the hurdles can be higher and more complex. So, what does it really take to succeed at work? How do y...

14 Mars 21min

Comedian Matt Okine on property porn, hating dogs & losing his mum at 12

Comedian Matt Okine on property porn, hating dogs & losing his mum at 12

Matt Okine’s resume reads like that of a classic overachiever. He’s a comedian, actor, writer, podcaster and radio host, with Logie and ARIA award nominations and a critically acclaimed TV show to his...

13 Mars 47min

The Aussie designer who beat Katy Perry + Major Aussie music festival cancelled

The Aussie designer who beat Katy Perry + Major Aussie music festival cancelled

After a 17-year legal battle, Australian fashion designer Katie Perry has finally won her David vs Goliath fight with international popstar, Katy Perry. In this episode, Katie recounts the moment it ...

13 Mars 17min

PM warns against panic buying + Who really split Kyle & Jackie O

PM warns against panic buying + Who really split Kyle & Jackie O

Friday Headlines: Australian officials told to leave Israel and the UAE Australian towns run out of fuel amid Middle East crisis Families of Chinese backpackers killed in Queensland floods to travel...

12 Mars 22min

Gamblers making millions on war + Move to boost Aussie petrol supply

Gamblers making millions on war + Move to boost Aussie petrol supply

You can gamble on anything. Now you can even bet on the war in the Middle East. Concern is growing over a dangerous new form of prediction markets, where users are anonymous, and crypto is the only cu...

12 Mars 14min

Populärt inom Politik & nyheter

aftonbladet-krim
svenska-fall
p3-krim
rss-krimstad
fordomspodden
rss-expressen-dok
flashback-forever
rss-sanning-konsekvens
motiv
aftonbladet-daily
spar
rss-vad-fan-hande
blenda-2
olyckan-inifran
rss-krimreportrarna
rss-frandfors-horna
rss-flodet
dagens-eko
svd-ledarredaktionen
grans