On a family camping trip over the Australia Day long weekend, I sat in a tent with my laptop, designing New South Wales’ first genomic sequencing test for COVID-19.
Immunosenescence — the decline of immune system function with age — means that vaccines are not as effective in older adults, the demographic most susceptible to many diseases, including COVID-19.
Nesri Padayatchi, Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA) and Kogie Naidoo, Centre for the AIDS Program of Research in South Africa (CAPRISA)
The redirection of resources to COVID-19 has enormous consequences for the provision of healthcare services for other diseases, in particular, HIV programmes.
Suspending homeless camp evictions during the COVID-19 pandemic is a start, but it is not enough. The problem is failed housing policies, not the pandemic.
People in the disputed Indian territory of Kashmir had already been living under a 24-hour curfew for eight months when the coronavirus hit, bringing new depths of fear and confinement.
Policies meant to improve public health – like mandatory face masks during the coronavirus pandemic – need to take into account how people might adjust other behaviors in response.
While the government is showing support and generosity to foreign filmmakers and commercial television interests, it seems less inclined to demonstrate similar largesse to its own creators.
Australians have more trust in their government and leader to deal with the pandemic than people in US, UK and Italy. Confidence in state and territory leaders, however, is far lower.
Honorary Enterprise Professor, School of Population and Global Health, and Department of General Practice and Primary Care, The University of Melbourne