5G - We’ve heard the conspiracy theories around its connection to the Coronavirus, but are the health risks real?
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 Maj 202021min
Vaping in Australia: Why is it still illegal?
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 Maj 202017min
How would you like to WFH forever?
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 Maj 202018min
Do you call out coronavirus misinformation on social media?
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 Maj 202019min
Your coronavirus questions answered
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 Maj 202019min
Can cheaper beer and long lunches save our hospitality industry?
Our Pubs and Clubs and restaurants have been hit really hard in this pandemic and for the most part they haven't complained, they've shut their doors in order to save lives. We speak with Stephen Ferguson (CEO of the Australian Hotels Association) and Celebrity Chef Colin Fassnidge about how hard COVID-19 has been for the hospitality industry. In today's headlines: China blacklists four Aussie abattoirs without any notice Treasurer awaiting covid-19 test after parliament coughing fit metres from the Prime Minister Aussies seeing one alcohol ad “every 35 seconds” on social media during covid-19 In today's Briefing we ask: How can the hospitality industry bounce back? How might tax incentives on beer and lunches make a difference? Is it worth venues opening for 10 people capacity? How much importance is the industry is placing on the COVIDSafe app? What would it take for a restaurant to break even? Why would many restaurants be worse off if they were to open now?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
12 Maj 202019min
Is free education a potential solution to the Corona economic crisis?
With thousands of young people out of work, is re-skilling and retraining young people the solution to the coronavirus youth employment crisis? We put the idea to Education Minister Dan Tehan and Greens leader Adam Bandt on today's podcast. Today's news headlines: Brief Corona update No new cases for most of Australia VIC easing restrictions 5G statement by NSW Health New Cluster at Wuhan and Beijing trialing temperature monitoring bracelets AFL & NRL players fined for breaching social distancing laws Influencers who give away prizes or cash could be breaking the law In today's Briefing we ask: Does the idea of free education have even more merit now we’re in the coronavirus employment crisis? How do people do these courses? What's on offer? How much can we expect to pay? What's on the other side?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
11 Maj 202017min
Older people in the pandemic
Today we take a look at how we’re looking after our elderly loved ones and how it all went wrong at some Nursing Homes in Australia. We speak to Liz Lane whose 85 year old mother is a patient at Newmarch House in palliative care with less than a year to live, and the moment she became really scared for her mum. We also speak to Aged Cared Advocate Ian Yates about how we might solve the visiting dilemma in aged care facilities. In today's news headlines: Roll out of restrictions – Updates for VIC & NSW Conspiracy theorist protesters gather in Sydney & Melb Sydney mum made international headlines after arrest Economists warn Australian unemployment won’t return to pre-pandemic levels till 2024 American photographer Spencer Tunick seeking Aussies for online mass nude photo shoot In today's Briefing we ask: What is happening at these places responsible for outbreaks? What makes aged care facilities so dangerous and how can we safely visit our grandparents? What can we do to protect the super vulnerable to the pandemic?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
10 Maj 202019min
