Latin America now has about 6 million COVID-19 cases – 30% of the global total. But some cities have fared much worse than others, largely due to the quality of government and community responses.
A night manager at one of Melbourne’s quarantine hotels has been designated as “patient zero” in Victoria’s second wave of COVID-19. Here’s what that actually means.
It might be tempting to yell ‘bloody well wear a mask’, but that will probably make little difference. Research shows there are more constructive ways to get your message across.
Underlying inequality, an under-resourced public health system and socio-political tensions have met in a dizzying, tragic outcome for the richest country in the world.
Of the students with jobs, 60% lost them and and two-thirds of the rest had hours cut. As they struggled, and often failed, to get rents and tuition fees reduced, precarious lives became even harder.
Michael Plank, University of Canterbury; Alex James, University of Canterbury, and Shaun Hendy, University of Auckland, Waipapa Taumata Rau
New Zealand has confirmed a new community outbreak of COVID-19 and the country returns to pandemic restrictions, with Auckland under alert level 3 conditions.
Accommodation providers are reporting huge increases in the numbers of people coming to them for help. They’d love to be able to use newly vacant rental housing, but it’s not a lasting solution.
Melbourne’s stage 4 lockdown forbids residents travelling more than 5km from home during their daily hour of exercise. Fine for those in leafy suburbs, but not for those with less greenery nearby.
In response to the many Victorians struggling with coronavirus and related restrictions, the Victorian government is investing nearly A$60 million in new and accelerated mental health initiatives.
We’re cleaning and washing our hands perhaps more than we ever have before. But suggestions that all this this extra hygiene could weaken our immune systems are unfounded.
As the crisis in Victorian aged-care homes goes on, the issue of whether to move all COVID-positive residents into hospital continues to generate debate. There are pros and cons for both sides.
Even though cases haven’t dropped off yet, mandatory masks have probably helped to prevent cases continuing to spiral upwards - which is a real risk with this virus.
Most people diagnosed with COVID-19 can manage their illness at home. But some patients deteriorate after about 5 days. Fortunately, Australian doctors have up-to-the-minute treatment guidelines.