What's That Rash?

Introvert or extrovert, we've all been told about the importance of social connection to our health. Isolation can have knock-on effects for your brain health – and the health of the rest of your body. Norman and Tegan unpack how many friends the average person "needs" and what happens when you're alone but not lonely. References: Social ties and health: the benefits of social integration Social isolation: a predictor of mortality comparable to traditional clinical risk factors The Connection Prescription: Using the Power of Social Interactions and the Deep Desire for Connectedness to Empower Health and Wellness Friendships, Subjective Age, and Life Satisfaction of Women in Midlife The American Friendship Project: A report on the status and health of friendship in America Social connection linked to improved health and reduced risk of early death – World Health Organization Differential Social Cognitive Performance in Older Adults With Mild Cognitive Impairment and Dementia Introvert vs Social Anxiety: How…

You might've heard you'll burn more fat if you exercise in the morning before, or in lieu of breakfast. There is some research to back that claim up, but the science on fasted exercise isn’t clear cut. Norman and Tegan work through the evidence on exercising on an empty stomach, and what you can do to maximise your workouts. References: Effects of fasted vs fed-state exercise on performance and post-exercise metabolism: A systematic review and meta-analysis Effect of Overnight Fasted Exercise on Weight Loss and Body Composition: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Interval training in the fed or fasted state improves body composition and muscle oxidative capacity in overweight women Effects of exercise before or after meal ingestion on fat balance and postprandial metabolism in overweight men Effects of time-restricted eating with exercise on body composition in adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis Exercising in the Fasted State Reduced 24-Hour Energy Intake in Active Male Adults Appetite, energy…

Sit back and relax. Close your eyes. Imagine you're sitting on a calm beach. Now, do you feel more open to suggestion? Hypnotherapy has been around for centuries, and you might've heard about it being used for everything from PTSD to addiction and even IBS. Norman and Tegan guide us through the evidence for using hypnosis in a therapeutic setting, and whether there are any downsides. References: Brain Activity and Functional Connectivity Associated with Hypnosis Not everyone can be hypnotized - and researchers are one step closer to understanding why Functional Brain Basis of Hypnotizability A Systematic Review of Hypnosis for Clinical Pain Relief The effectiveness of hypnosis for pain relief: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 85 controlled experimental trials Hypnosis as a non-pharmacological intervention for invasive medical procedures - A systematic review and meta-analytic update Gut-directed hypnotherapy for IBS: what is it and what are the options? Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy for Irritable Bowel…

As we age, levels of a vital molecule called nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD+) decline. Could reversing this be the key to eternal youth? There’s huge interest in NAD-boosting supplements like nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN). But is there good evidence that they can help us live longer, healthier? Norman and Tegan unpack how NAD+ became the focus of anti-aging proponents. This episode first aired on November 4, 2024. References: NAD+ metabolism and its roles in cellular processes during ageing NAD+ in Brain Aging and Neurodegenerative Disorders What is really known about the effects of nicotinamide riboside supplementation in humans Dietary Supplementation With NAD+-Boosting Compounds in Humans: Current Knowledge and Future Directions The use of a systems approach to increase NAD+ in human participants Specific ablation of Nampt in adult neural stem cells recapitulates their functional defects during aging

After nearly two years of constant internal border changes, by the end of this week large parts of Australia will once again be open for domestic travel. South Australia opened a few weeks ago, Queensland opened yesterday and Tasmania is due to open tomorrow. Western Australia has also finally given a date and will reopen on the 5th of February next year. So with state and territory bubbles bursting all over the place, what might come next for people who live there? Also on today's show: * How is decoupling going? * Fourth dose anyone? * Pregnancy and booster shots

Australia now has two different booster options to choose from when the inevitable time comes for the third dose of coronavirus vaccine. Moderna was approved by the country's vaccine expert group ATAGI over the weekend. We'll also be able to get the booster a month earlier, with the Government announcing a shorter period due to the threat of waning immunity and new variants. So if Moderna is a choice, should you take it over Pfizer? Does it even matter? And why is the Moderna booster only a half shot? Also on today's show: * A preprint study has found that Astra seems to wane faster than other vaccines, leaving no protective effect against symptomatic disease from Omicron 15 weeks after the second dose. What could this mean for the country's booster campaign?

As the data from initial studies into how Omicron evades our immunity continue to flow in, it's becoming more and more likely that a third dose - or booster - is going to be essential. Several more studies have been released, all showing large falls in immunity to the Omicron variant. One thing that the studies imply though is that there are much higher antibody levels in people who have either been infected, or received a third dose. So how much will third doses be needed to combat Omicron? Also on today's show: Quick Fire Friday! (booster edition)

One of the first studies into Omicron and immunity has reported back and it's not super great news: there's significant evasion of antibodies produced by the Pfizer vaccine. But not all is lost. The study says that the Omicron variant uses the same way of getting into our cells, meaning our existing tools and techniques should be relatively easy to change so they work better. The study is not yet published, and is a very small sample size so it's worth keeping in mind that this is still a very new area of science and is subject to change. Nonetheless, as today's Coronacast explains, it does give us a glimpse of what is likely to come. Also on today's show: * Could a mozzie vaccinate someone by biting a vaxed person and then an unvaxed person? * Your booster experiences

Beyond the nasty and sometimes life-threatening symptoms that COVID can bring, there's another risk: long COVID. It's the collection of prolonged symptoms including brain fog, smell loss and fatigue. And while we know that being vaccinated drastically reduces your risk of a bad bout of COVID itself, a lingering question has been whether it also protects you from long COVID. Well, according to a yet to be peer reviewed study, the answer is yes it does. Also on today's show: * Is there any research work being done to modify the virus to develop a relatively benign but transmissible COVID variant which could be released to "crowd out" the current dangerous variants? * Is there a chance that Omicron is different enough that instead of replacing Delta, you get both if not together then one after another? * And we're after your stories about getting third-doses. Was it easy? Or hard?

Over the next several months, the fight between Delta and Omicron is going to be scientifically fascinating. In the red corner is the current world champion Delta, which easily beat out every other variant of concern to date. In the blue corner is the challenger Omicron, whose continued existence probably relies on its ability to beat out the champion. But how will we know who's winning and when will we get a better sense of it all? Also on today's show: * What makes a virus go viral? * Who decides which variants you make vaccines for? * What happens if Omicron turns up in a place with no Delta (like Queensland or Tasmania, for example)?

It's been a bit more than a week since we learned of Omicron, the newest coronavirus variant of concern. And while we're still a while from knowing solid answers, the world's scientists have done an amazing job over the last 7 days unraveling parts of Omicron's mysteries. The three big questions are will our vaccines continue to work? For people who do get the virus, will it be severe and will it beat Delta to become the coronavirus champion of the world? So on today's Coronacast, what we know from the latest science about answering those big questions. Also on today's show * Does it escape previous immunity and/or our vaccines? * Is it better at spreading than Delta? * Does it matter? Does it make you sicker than previous variants? * Where's Dr Norman Swan's Omicronometer of Panic heading?

Just like we're likely going to be stuck with COVID for the rest of our lives, we're probably also going to be stuck wondering which is the most effective vaccine to protect against it. Well lucky we've got science to help sort it out, with a new study putting the Moderna and Pfizer vaccines head-to-head across hundreds of thousands of people. And other scientists have been busy working out how much protection you have against reinfection, if you are infected in the first place. Also on today's show: * Quick Fire Friday * Tegan interrupts Quick Fire Friday with her own - excellent - Quick Fire Question.

As the days tick by since Omicron was discovered, it's slowly spreading around the world. One example is reports of a couple of Israeli doctors who likely picked up Omicron in the United Kingdom, before flying back home. Their symptoms are said to be mild at the moment, but more worryingly, both of the doctors were fully vaccinated with Pfizer - that's all three doses. So what do we know about how Omicron works with our current vaccines? Also on today's show: * If we have been vaccinated to recognise the spike protein, why are variants so concerning? Is it the spike that changes?

Nearly two years into the global coronavirus pandemic, it's probably safe to say that we're all pretty much ready for it to be done. So no wonder we're hoping that very early reports from South Africa are possibly, just maybe, indicating that the Omicron variant is "milder" than variants before. But how much evidence is there for that yet? Is it true, or just wishful thinking? Also on today's show: * Is it possible that the emergence of this variant is actually an encouraging development for the COVID pandemic? * No big changes yet for Australia's international borders * The Omicron variant mutation that might end up helping us (a bit) * In previous episodes you have mentioned that variants can "out compete" other variants. What exactly does this mean and what is the mechanism behind it? * An update to the Dr Norman Swan Omicronometer of Panic

As the world desperately awaits news from scientists on anything Omicron, some experts have started thinking about where the variant might have come from. One theory is that it's from someone severely immunocompromised, where the virus has had millions of opportunities to evolve against a poor immune response. But it's far from the only theory. So on today's Coronacast, a few other possibilities of where - and when - Omicron might have popped into existence. Also on today's show: * The evolutionary lineage of Omicron * How should Australia be preparing? * The Dr Norman Swan Omicronometer of Panic is born

It's the news we didn't want: There's a new variant of concern in town and it's got all sorts of mutations just where you don't want them. It's also got a new fancy name: Omicron, and it's reportedly outpacing Delta in countries in southern Africa. But is it really? Is it more infectious? Is it more virulent? Is it vaccine resistant, and if so by how much? How much do we really know at the moment? Should I panic? Also on today's show: * What if the Omicron variant is the sort epidemiologists expected to see earlier in the pandemic: highly transmissible and less virulent?

As pandemics go, the coronavirus one is pretty big. It rapidly spread around the world, and is still causing problems. But how does it compare to past pandemics? Are we actually living in a fortunate time in human history? If we could magically replace COVID with a bug from the past, would it be a good or bad idea? Would you prefer the plague? Syphilis? Perhaps a flu pandemic might tickle your fancy. Well to help you decide, on today's Coronacast, we go through the pandemics in history. Also on today's show: * Rapid antigen tests work well against Delta * Quick Fire Friday!

All around the country at the moment are family discussions and debates about what to do about that one relative or friend who still doesn't want to get vaccinated. The numbers of double vaccinated people continue to rise as people realise it's in their benefit to get the jab. But there will always be holdouts, no matter what policies are put in place. So how much does it matter if someone at the Christmas party is unvaccinated when nearly 90 percent of us 12 or older are double dosed? Also on today's show: * How careful should my vaccinated pregnant daughter be about where she goes and who she sees? * What's the latest science on viral loads?

When the slew of variants popped into existence last year, scientists began worrying what it could mean for vaccine resistant variants down the line. So far, the Delta variant has remained top dog. While it is much more infectious than the original coronavirus, thankfully it doesn't evade our vaccines by much. But what about down the line? As more and more of the world is vaccinated, will the virus find a way to evolve to get around vaccines? That’s on today’s Coronacast. Also on today’s show: * Lockdowns return to Europe * How is Japan doing such a good job? * What side effects can I expect from my Pfizer booster shot if I had AstraZeneca for my first and second shot?

As we start to reopen to the world, it's inevitable that we'll start to see more cases of COVID-19 travel over our international and domestic borders. But it's far from the only bug that will make the journey while travelling inside a human. Influenza is one viruses we've been largely protected from over the last 18 months, after international border closures put a halt to incoming flights. So on today's Coronacast, what do we have to keep in mind when reopening and can we protect ourselves and our kids against virus we haven't seen in quite a while. Also on today's show: * Will a third dose give me better protection against variants? * Is there any evidence that taking paracetamol or ibuprofen after vaccination would reduce the body's immune response?

It's become a common claim among people who are still COVID-19 vaccine hesitant, that they say they're "waiting for Novavax". While there are currently three safe and effective vaccines available in Australia, Novavax is still not approved for use. Australia ordered Novavax a year ago, but as yet there's still no sign of it and the TGA says its application for approval is still under evaluation. So on today's Coronacast, if someone says they're waiting for Novavax, here's what you might want to reply with. Also on today's show: * Is it best to have Astra as my third shot? * We want to hear from you! Please fill in our listener survey and tell us what you think of the show.

The head of the umbrella organisation for Australia's Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations says she's nervous about the country's reopening over the next month. CEO of NACCHO Pat Turner says while some Indigenous communities are 100% fully vaccinated, others are far from done. She says part of the problem is state and territory governments wanting to leave it to the Commonwealth, and also certain religious groups bringing in misinformation and myths from the United States. On today's Coronacast, the patchy response to outbreaks in Indigenous communities and what else needs to be done before state borders reopen. GUEST: Pat Turner. CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO)

For obvious reasons, pandemics are pretty hot news right now. And it seems every few weeks, we see headlines about a possible new outbreak of potentially pandemic proportions. Thankfully, we haven't seen any new disease outbreaks yet, but it doesn't mean it won't happen sometime in the future. So what should we make of recent stories revealing a jump in avian influenza cases in 2021, and how likely is it that we'll be facing down a new pandemic anytime soon? Also on today's show: * A bit of a deeper dive into a recent article/story in the British Medical Journal, alleging issues with a trial site and its phase three trials of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine.

When the NT's Chief Minister Michael Gunner held the COVID-19 press conference yesterday, he revealed news that many have been dreading. A significant cluster of COVID has been detected, and all the people who were announced yesterday to have contracted the disease are Indigenous Australians. It's the worst day ever for local cases in the NT since the pandemic began. That's on today's Coronacast. Also on today's show: * Where's our vaccination compensation scheme? * Very good news on boosters/third dose * If I've had two doses of Astra and we know that its efficacy wanes quite quickly, where does that leave me after a dose of Pfizer for my third dose? Have I caught up with all the people who had two doses of Pfizer or will I forever have less protection?

Nerves are running high in South Australia, as the state is now only one week away from opening the doors and inevitably letting COVID in. South Australia is leading the way for zero-COVID states, and will be the first to open its doors to people travelling from Victoria, NSW and ACT. It has a vaccination rate that is slowly increasing and may just get to 80 per cent fully vaccinated 16+ by next week. But on today's Coronacast, many are worried about what the future may hold. Also on today's show: * Good news for antibodies in breast milk * Just because you think you had COVID, doesn't mean you did

Australians know full well that the Delta variant loves winter. As the weather warms up here things are looking up, but overseas it's getting colder and case numbers in Europe are rising. Hopefully the heavy impact of winter and Delta won't be felt, thanks to high levels of vaccination in many western European countries. But on today's Coronacast, it hasn't stopped the reimposition of some public health control measures in Denmark. Also on today's show: * Since the pandemic started there's been a massive ramping up of technology development relating to vaccines. If they can develop a vaccine for a new pathogen so quickly, what's next?

When it was clear that the daily new COVID cases in Victoria had peaked, there was hope and speculation that the numbers would drop off quickly like what happened in NSW. But sadly, we're still getting about more than a thousand new cases a day and it's starting to level off at that figure. NSW has levelled off too lately, but at a much lower level of only a couple of hundred a day. So what could be going on and why aren't Victoria's numbers falling faster? And does it matter? Also on today's show: * Could anti-virals cause unvaccinated people to double down on not being vaccinated? * If you are due for a booster in the middle of the summer, might it be much better to wait until April/May and have the next shot when it starts to get colder? * Does Norman hate South Australia?

As vaccination rates increase and restrictions ease, plenty of us are starting to make plans for the Christmas and New Year breaks. But in most of Australia, restrictions aren't easing for everyone. For many people who aren't vaccinated, restrictions are staying or even getting harsher. So is this fair? Is it an effective way of getting the vaccination rate up? And how do you navigate tricky conversations with loved ones who don't feel the same way as you about the vax? GUEST: Professor Julie Leask, a social scientist and professor in the Susan Wakil School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney.

With the news that NSW has hit 90 percent double vaccination in 16+, with other parts of the country to follow soon, you could be forgiven for thinking that the pandemic is finally over. But like it or not, we're still living through a pandemic and it's likely in the coming months there'll continue to be outbreaks and waves of COVID-19. It's not all bad news though. New drugs are likely to come online soon giving doctors even more tools to treat infections and prevent deaths. So what else could be in store for us in 2022? On today's Coronacast, we pull out the crystal ball for some blatant speculation.

When the Doherty model was released a few months ago, it set Australia on a path to reopening at various stages of vaccination. Now that the country has hit 80 per cent double dose for 16+, experts from Doherty, Burnet and other organisations have released new models on what we can expect a little further down the line. One of the big ones is how schools can remain open - even when positive cases are detected - so long as students are tested regularly via rapid antigen testing. And the new Doherty modelling has possible ways forward for international arrivals, and vulnerable remote Indigenous communities. Also on today's show: * Why is a booster necessary? After having been double vaccinated, even if the antibody level has waned, shouldn't the memory cells of the immune system kick into action?

The largest age group of active COVID cases in Victoria at the moment are kids, under 9 years old. While hard to compare directly, it's a similar story in NSW. Kids are currently unable to be vaccinated, leaving them vulnerable to infection as more COVID circulates through the community - though thankfully, disease is often very mild in children. But on today's Coronacast, overseas experiences tell us that as more and more kids get COVID, we'll see more rare, but serious events popup. Also on today's show: * Are any of the rapid antigen tests approved/suitable for young children? * Do we have another COVID treatment with that new Pfizer anti-viral drug?

The world passed a grim milestone a few days ago: 5 million deaths from COVID-19 and counting. But the reality is, that the actual deaths from the pandemic are much, much higher. Estimating how high is hard, but researchers can use data around excess deaths - ie, an increase beyond the normal number of people who die on average year to year - as a guide. So on today's Coronacast, why reported COVID deaths are probably grossly underestimated. Also on today's show: * Australia's vaccination rate starts to slow * Who are we missing in relation to vaccination?

A program to vaccinate children in the United States has come closer to reality, after the CDC endorseds the use of COVID-19 shots in kids from 5 to 11. Australian health authorities and regulators have yet to decide if it should happen here, but it is expected to happen in the next couple of months. There has been some debate about whether kids should be vaccinated, with some questioning the very small risks versus the rewards. So on today's Coronacast, what do we know about health problems in children from the vaccine compared to getting COVID-19 itself? Also on today's show: * More on rapid antigen tests * A new COVID treatment?

The rules for fully vaccinated people in NSW are changing for the better next week, with a bunch of restrictions being lifted early thanks to high vaccination rates. But the unvaccinated will have to wait with restrictions longer, as the state aims for even higher levels of vaccination across the population. NSW, Victoria and the ACT are showing that it's possible to get to 95 per cent 12+ vaccination, which is resulting in case numbers falling. So on today's Coronacast, at the rate we're going, when might we run out of arms to stick needles into? Also on today's show: * More on finding which rapid-antigen test is best * If we vaccinated everyone in the world, would SARS-CoV-2 die off?

It was in early May when the Delta variant was officially listed as a variant of concern. Delta turned out to be far more contagious than previous variants, and challenged Australia's public health response. But since then, there haven't been any new variants of concern listed by the World Health Organisation, though there have been a couple of new variants of interest. So why not? And what do we know about the AY4.2 variant that's causing some concern in the UK? Also on today's show: * Should I go overseas on holiday? * My friends believe that the only benefit of being vaccinated to prevent oneself from severe disease. Is this true?

From today, you can buy rapid antigen tests from the shop and use them on yourself to see if you've got COVID-19 or not. Previously, the home, general-public use of antigen tests wasn't available for purchase by the general public. So with a bunch of them on the market for the first time, what should you keep in mind and how do they differ from the usual PCR test we're so used to? That's on today's Coronacast. GUEST: Dr Ian Norton, Managing Director, Respond Global

Australians over 18 years of age who've waited six months from their second COVID vaccine will be given the chance to grab a booster shot if they want one. While the focus will be on aged care and healthcare workers to start, yesterday, the expert panel on vaccinations approved the use of Pfizer booster doses. And - at the moment - it's being sold as a boost, not a requirement to be considered "fully vaccinated" So on today's Coronacast, how did ATAGI come to its recommendation and what can we expect in the months ahead? Also on today's show: * Only Pfizer is approved at the moment, but I want Moderna. Should I wait? * What about mixing vaccines? * Is Norman back at the gym?

Australia's expert vaccination panel may soon tick off on a major expansion to the country's coronavirus vaccination program, paving the way for third doses to be administered. Yesterday, the medicines regulator the TGA approved Pfizer for use as a third dose - sometimes referred to as a booster - for Australians aged 18 or over after six months after their second dose. But despite the third dose boosting immunity, the Federal Government says they won't require it to be considered fully vaccinated. Also on today's show: * How does the TGA and ATAGI work in approving and recommending vaccines? * Why only 18 years or over? * Can I go get it a bit early? * What about side effects?

One of the big unknowns with coronavirus is why some people are left with symptoms from the illness long after they test negative. It's known as long COVID, and studies overseas suggest it affects more than half of people who get COVID to varying degrees of severity. So now we're nearly two years into the coronavirus pandemic, have we learnt more about long-COVID and what type of symptoms seem to be most common? And because Australia has been fortunate enough to get to high levels of vaccination before massive outbreaks, are we likely to avoid the worst of it? Also on today's show: * Is Norman at odds with Australia's chief medical officer on vaccines waning? * Some of my friends in WA are hesitant to get the vaccine and anti-mandate. What do I do?

As more states open their borders in coming months, more COVID than ever will be circulating through the community. Vaccines will help protect many of us, but for vulnerable people - like the elderly or immunocompromised - additional protections may be needed. So if you have someone close that is more vulnerable to severe disease from a COVID-19 infection, what are some of the things you can do to help reduce the risk? Also on today's show: * 2nd generation vaccines vs natural immunity * Will my pets need to be vaccinated too? * Are there/will there be any plant based COVID vaccines? * A study on fertility and the AstraZeneca vaccine (no problems found)

As more and more of the country is vaccinated, state and territory governments are starting to outline which restrictions we will lose when we reach very high levels of coverage. Over the weekend, Victoria revealed that when it reaches 90 per cent double dose in a month there will be no density caps, and masks will only be mandatory at certain high-risk settings. But how do we know when is the right time to lift restrictions and what can we learn from countries that have been this way before? Also on today's show: * Surgical masks give me "mascne" so I was going to invest in some 100 per cent silk reusable masks that are less likely to cause breakouts. They have a cotton interior but do you think they'd be effective enough against Delta? * When a zero-COVID state opens up with hopefully high vaccination rates, will it be more vulnerable because there is no natural immunity in the community from infections?

There's been all sorts of vaccination targets bandied about over the last year: 70 per cent, 80 per cent, 16+ eligibility, 12+ eligibility. It never seems to end. But what if - and this might not make you happy because it seems almost impossible at the moment - the real target should be 95 per cent? It's been done overseas: in Portugal and Iceland. So what would it take to do it here and what benefits do you get? Also on today's show: * Vaccine mandates are coming * When will we have a vaccine approved for children under 12yrs? * Where's Novavax? * Where's Ollie? Wally? What?

Greater Melbourne will finally come out of lockdown a minute before the strike of midnight tonight, which will be a huge relief to millions of people. But the city comes out of lockdown with high daily caseloads - with the rolling five day average being around 1850. When NSW came out of lockdown, its daily caseload was much lower - and has remained low and is showing no signs of increasing again. So can we expect cases to fall in Melbourne? Rise? Level off? And does reopening with a large caseload in a highly vaccinated population even matter? Also on today's show: * Australia hits 70 per cent double-dosed * Norman wants to see some quokkas * What is the difference going to be for Victoria opening up with so many more cases than NSW? * Can you get COVID-19 three times?

When the various states and territories report their daily vaccination rates as a mix of single and double doses, should they perhaps also be adding in third doses? The COVID-19 vaccines in Australia are currently limited to two doses, but so far only immunocompromised people have been approved to get a third shot. So should that be extended to older people and perhaps healthcare workers who got their vaccine in March or April? On today's Coronacast, all your questions about the third dose including waning protection from Astra and Pfizer, timing and when to count it all from. Also: thank you to all our listeners - especially those who've listened to all 400 episodes of Coronacast. You are champions!

Until now, a lot of the worry about COVID-19 in Australia has been about how zero-COVID states will rejoin NSW, Victoria and the ACT. Well yesterday, Queensland put its plan forward saying that December 17, 2021 is the date its borders will be broadly reopened once again to other states, including hotspots. So with vaccination rates in Queensland lagging, will this be the push some need to go and get the jab? And what might it mean for other zero-COVID states? Also on today's show: * Third doses and Norman's mea culpa * Southern Tasmania comes out of lockdown * Your ideas to boost vaccination rates

Victoria's lockdown will end this Thursday night, when the state expects to reach its first vaccine goal of 70 per cent double vaccinated. Reasons to leave the home and the curfew will be lifted, which will be a huge relief to the people of Melbourne which have suffered through many long lockdowns. But it's not as if the pandemic will end this week: many working in the hospital system are in for a rough time as the state opens up. Also on today's show * Mixing and matching boosters * NSW hits 80 per cent. What comes next? * The new drug Ronapreve. What is it?

The arrival of the Delta variant really was a massive curveball that few experts saw coming. It ripped through populations overseas and quickly punched holes in Fortress Australia. It especially challenged our public health response with its incredible infectiousness and has taken hold in NSW, Victoria and ACT. But how did Delta come into existence in the first place? And as more and more of us are vaccinated, what might come next as the SARS-CoV-2 virus continues to evolve? On today's Coronacast, a very special guest explains all. GUEST: * University of Sydney evolutionary biologist Professor Eddie Holmes

It's sometimes easy to forget that the COVID-19 pandemic affects more than just physical health. It also taken a massive toll on mental health. And according to some new research, the two pandemic factors that lead to the worst mental health outcomes are rising case numbers and lockdowns. Globally, the most affected groups are young people and women, and poorer countries in particular have seen higher mental health burdens. Also on today's show: * Why do some people get sicker from COVID than others? * You seem confident we will get booster shots but I heard Dr Paul Kelly sat last week that there is evidence to suggest not - that the vaccine may even last a lifetime? Did I hear incorrectly? * I live in a rural community and regularly drive past the sewerage works. The smell is often very noticeable. Is there a risk of virus carrying aerosol droplets leading to catching COVID?

A lot of the discussion about COVID lately has been on the big outbreaks in NSW, Victoria and the ACT, and less about states that don't have current outbreaks. But as states like WA, Queensland, South Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory start to plan their border reopenings, it also means COVID will eventually find its way in. So what can the smaller and still COVID free states expect in coming months? Will cases skyrocket in a highly vaccinated population? And will people there have to get used to restrictions that currently don't apply? Also on today's show: * What does full vaccination mean for getting (or not getting) long COVID? * We keep hearing the risk for under 12s is very low. Could you please clarify the best understanding of the hospitalisation, death, and long COVID risk for children under 12s?

While COVID-19 is currently in two of Australia's states and the ACT, the reality is eventually it will get everywhere. And eventually, the theory goes, COVID-19 will infect everyone. Vaccination will help stop the vast majority of people getting severe symptoms which may put them in hospital, but there'll always be people who can't or won't be immunised. So does getting COVID-19 after being vaccinated help with longer term immunity? And therefore if you're fully vaccinated, is it worth trying to get infected on purpose? Also on today's show: * How many people don't get their second dose? * What might happen now in NSW?