The public health response to the coronavirus has quickly become a law and order issue. Extensive new powers have been granted to police in several states, to crack down on public association, private gatherings and travel. Today, Mike Seccombe on how Australia is policing a pandemic.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper Mike Seccombe.

Background reading:

Covid-19 lockdown and police powers in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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In one share-house, all five housemates have lost work because of the coronavirus shutdown. Today we look at the human cost of unemployment and what the government is doing to help people survive.

Guest: Chief Political Correspondent for The Saturday Paper Karen Middleton.

Background reading:

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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In a special bonus episode of 7am host Ruby Jones talks to the show’s editor, Osman Faruqi, editor of The Monthly, Nick Feik, and editor of The Saturday Paper, Maddison Connaughton about how they’re adapting to the shutdown, and what role journalism can play in a crisis.

Guest: 7am editor, Osman Faruqi.

The Monthly editor, Nick Feik.

The Saturday Paper editor, Maddison Connaughton.

Bonus Reading:

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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The past week has completely changed the way politics works in Australia, with a right-wing government introducing the most radical economic measures in a generation. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the political earthquake that rocked Parliament House.

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper, Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading:

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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Professor Peter Doherty won the Nobel prize for his research on how our bodies fight off viruses. Today, we ask him what makes Covid-19 different from other infections, how it damages our bodies, and what we should be doing now to prepare for the next pandemic. 

Guest: Professor Peter Doherty.

Background reading:

The pandemic we had to have in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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Australia’s airlines have been hit hard by the coronavirus outbreak, and they’re asking the government for billions of dollars in financial support. The crisis has even sparked debate over whether the industry should be nationalised. Today, Royce Kurmelovs, on whether it’s time the government took back control of the skies.

Guest: Freelance journalist Royce Kurmelovs.

Background reading:

Australian airlines in turmoil in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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As we try and contain the coronavirus outbreak, health authorities, governments and social media platforms are also battling the spread of misinformation about the virus. Today, Mike Seccombe on the question of who we trust in a crisis.

Guest: National correspondent for The Saturday Paper, Mike Seccombe.

Background reading:

Fighting the Infodemic in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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As more of Australia goes into coronavirus isolation, advice is being offered on how to manage mental health during a viral pandemic that forces us to separate. We speak to a Melbourne family who were holidaying in Wuhan during the first outbreak and have been in isolation for almost 80 days.

Guest: Features and field producer Elle Marsh.

Background reading:

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

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It’s now been one month since Scott Morrison’s first announcement on the coronavirus pandemic. Since then his response has been criticised as confused and slow. Today, Paul Bongiorno on the political decisions made and how they stack up. 

Guest: Columnist for The Saturday Paper Paul Bongiorno.

Background reading:

Government's crashing failure in face of crisis

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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Teams of researchers are working around the clock to try and develop a vaccine against coronavirus. In Australia, a group of scientists at the University of Queensland are on the verge of a breakthrough. Today, Rick Morton on the race to find a vaccine.

Guest: Senior reporter for The Saturday Paper Rick Morton.

Background reading:

Exclusive: Inside the hunt for a vaccine in The Saturday Paper

The Saturday Paper

The Monthly

For more information on today’s episode, visit 7ampodcast.com.au.

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