Inside Covid-19

In this episode of inside Covid-19, we have two special interviews for you - with medical experts of global standing. First up, we speak to Dr Jay Bhattacharya, a professor of medicine at Stanford University. Dr Bhattacharya is one of the driving forces behind the Great Barrington Declaration, which calls for a rethink on lockdowns and an ‘intelligent’ approach to protecting the vulnerable. He has taken a lot of flak from government advisors and others, but is pursuing his commitment to Focused Protection because his conscience won’t allow him to do otherwise. Dr Battacharya’s message resonates with South Africa’s business leaders. B4SA this week urged President Cyril Ramaphosa to resist the temptation to tighten up lockdown restrictions to save SA from further economic destruction - which ultimately will lead to more hardship. And, BizNews spoke to Professor Shabir Madhi, a highly respected Vaccinology expert, at the Witwatersrand University on the latest developments in the race to vaccinate SA against Covid-19. We also hear from Dr Noluthando Nematswerani, Discovery Health’s head of Clinical Policy, about how the company is helping its members prepare for vaccine delivery - expected in South Africa next year.

Chief executive of Discovery Vitality, Dinesh Govender, talks to BizNews founder Alec Hogg about an exciting development, with Vitality members now being able to enjoy myriad benefits for flights.

In this episode of Inside Covid-19, we have exciting news from our sponsors at Discovery, with the Discovery Vitality programme announcing measures that will provide a much-needed boost to the tourism, travel and hospitality sectors - and will also lift the spirits of people who have been looking forward to exploring the world, enjoying nature and generally getting out to have fun. Also coming up: Cape Town based aerospace entrepreneur Robert Miller has been working with two South African medical experts on an interesting hypothesis about why South Africa’s deaths from Covid-19 haven’t been as bad as initially feared. The work has been published in a British medical journal and international scientists have been testing their ideas on mice. In a nutshell, the three believe that Vitamin B and Zinc could hold the clue to staving off the worst of the Covid-19 symptoms.

Head of Wellness, Dr Mosima Mabunda, speaks to BizNews founder Alec Hogg about how Discovery Vitality has awarded extra points to its members, compensating for the challenges of leading a healthy life in the era of Covid-19.

Resources are being thrown at vaccine development, as it is seen as saving the world from the pandemic that has brought economic engines across much of the world to a standstill. We hear from our partners at Bloomberg why the obsession with vaccines may be a bad strategy. We also have an update on herd immunity and the growing movement for an alternative to lockdowns, the Great Barrington Declaration. We pick up with leading South African health policy expert Professor Alan Whiteside, for a look at where the world is in the fight against Covid-19. And, Discovery Vitality shares how it has awarded extra points to its members to compensate for the challenges of leading a healthy life in the era of Covid-19. - Jackie Cameron

In this episode of Inside Covid-19, we look at the impact of the pandemic on education - and jobs. Professor Michael le Cordeur, of the Department of Curriculum  Studies at Stellenbosch University, explores whether another generation has lost out on vital education. We also speak to Prof Susan Michie, a director of University College London’s Centre for Behaviour Change, about how people worldwide will have to adapt to a Covid-safe future that does not destroy economies. We hear from our partners at Bloomberg that some jobs might go the way of the ship-building industry - extinction. And, with Recession Alert’s Dwaine van Vuuren estimating that 20-25% of jobs in South Africa have gone forever, with pick up with recruitment specialist Brian Wasmuth of the Human Capital Group on how pilots are struggling as the pandemic forces structural changes on the global economy.

In this episode, we look at the global vaccine race, in an interview with expert Arnaud Bernaert, Head of Shaping the Future of Health and Health Care, World Economic Forum. He sets out who is likely to get the vaccine and why we must prepare for coping with Covid-19 in our midsts at least until 2023. Also coming up, with the world spotlight on mental health, we hear how South Africans are coping in the era of Covid-19, with Dr Seranne Motilal of Discovery Vitality – which hosts a special, free webinar this week where you can hear insights from a range of experts on how to help yourself and your family members through difficult times (registration link at BizNews.com).

The biggest pandemic in a century reached a milestone this week: a million deaths around the world. In this episode of Inside Covid-19, we speak to South Africans who were in China when the virus emerged - and also lost a family member to Covid-19 in South Africa after he contracted it from another source. The two teachers from Durban, Andy and Gary Cronjé told how it was like living in the Zombie Apocalypse when Covid-19 broke out in China. Also coming up, a special report from our partners at the Wall Street Journal on six months of living through a pandemic. And, you will hear an update on tips to protect yourself from contracting Covid-19, from Discovery Health's public health medicine specialist Dr Geraldine Timothy.

In this episode, we look at the big changes for the tourism sector as lockdown eases. Deputy Minister of Tourism Fish Mahlalela speaks to BizNews about government plans to get business and leisure travel moving. Also coming up, Discovery Vitality Wellness head Dr Mosima Mabunda unveils new benefits for Discovery members that will also help to stimulate business activity in the leisure and hospitality sector - among other big changes. And, we hear from a world expert on steroids, Dr Bryan McVerry, a critical care specialist and associate professor the University of Pittsburgh in the US, on what science is telling us about how to treat the most serious cases of Covid-19.

It’s been six months since SA went into lockdown to stem the spread of Covid-19. In this episode, we reflect on the development of the disease that has turned our lives upside down and put the South African economy into ICU, looking back at the first deaths in the country and the strict lockdown. We speak to Western Cape Premier Alan Winde and Nick Hudson, outspoken member of PANDA, a thinktank of actuaries, mathematicians and other professionals who have identified holes in Covid-19 models used to inform government policy. Paediatric specialist Dr Andre Hattingh, who has been helping children who need urgent medical attention, speaks to BizNews reporter Linda van Tilburg. We also look at the people who have been infected with Covid-19 twice - and, we are reminded by Discovery’s co-founder Adrian Gore that innovation often emerges at times of crisis.