When water stagnates in pipes, harmful metals and bacteria can accumulate and make people sick. Buildings that were shut down for weeks during the pandemic may be at risk.
Senate Republicans continue to push for sweeping liability protection for companies from coronavirus-related lawsuits, but research and evidence suggests there’s little real risk.
Medical supply shortages during the pandemic revealed that US industries are unable to provide essential goods in a crisis. A return to domestic production would boost incomes and prepare us for the next crisis.
Lessons from history make clear that the federal government can spur medical innovation in a crisis, including this pandemic. Providing certainty and clarity is critical.
The Australian government is working with two major pharmaceutical companies to facilitate the local production and supply of two different COVID-19 vaccines – if they’re proven to be effective.
Three principles are missing from Victoria’s approach: a recognition of global best practices, a breadth of expertise and an ability to look at the long-term consequences of its decisions.
More than 170 countries have signed up to the Global Access (COVAX) initiative, but vaccine hoarding has already begun by many wealthy countries — leaving poorer nations potentially in the lurch.
Melbourne’s Innovation Districts were launched a few years ago, but the impacts of COVID-19 have added urgency to having places to trial new ways of urban living.
Overall, Victoria’s roadmap is good. It identifies the right goal, provides explicit criteria for when restrictions might be lifted, and involves mostly appropriate restrictions.
Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne