Inside Covid-19

In episode 69 of Inside Covid-19, worrying feedback on growing hunger in SA’s townships but with solid suggestions on how collaboration CAN overcome the unprecedented challenges; we hear from a hospital in Alberton where doctors and members of the community show their gratitude by forming a guard of honour when nursing staff change shifts; some tips from the way some businesses are successfully adapting to the massive disruption wrought by the pandemic; and rational questions from the tourism sector which is urging the SA government to drop irrational rules on domestic travel. - Alec Hogg

In episode 68 of Inside Covid-19, a rational perspective on the plateauing of coronavirus infections cases in South Africa from Discovery Health CEO Dr Ryan Noach with a warning that although we've peaked, complacency will be costly; Yusuf Abramjee, founder of Tax Justice SA, shares a compelling argument on the eve of a historic High Court action bidding to end the ban on tobacco sales; and we track down Sygnia's founder Magda Wierzycka, who, after bringing a slice of the Oxford University Covid-19 vaccine company to South Africans, will tomorrow launch a health innovation investment fund. - Alec Hogg

In episode 67 of Inside Covid-19, we take a closer look at Vitality’s successful crowdfunding approach to helping the nation fight the coronavirus; there’s a rational perspective on South Africa’s hotly debated R71bn pandemic-related loan from the IMF; we hear from the independent actuaries and professionals group PANDA on why data suggests the country is at or close to an infection peak; and if you ever wondered where that two metre social distancing rule came from, the answer’s coming up.

In episode 66 of Inside Covid-19, we take a deep dive into what’s killing South Africans, including the relative impact of Covid-19; hear from the Africa partner of a major global law firm why the fine print will make yesterday’s IMF loan a game changer for the economy; we hear how the closing – and opening – of Apple stores is an accurate way to see how the virus is moving around the world; and insights into the working of herd immunity, a concept which some scientists believe will be required to before the Covid-19 pandemic peters out. - Alec Hogg

In episode 65 of Inside Covid-19, some upside from the pandemic as we hear from Martin Kingston that business and government are forging a working relationship that’s closer than ever before, but B4SA expects a surge in cases, mortalities until late August; The Foundry restaurant's owner launches his own Tips For Trevor campaign with a difference; a positive development in the search for a coronavirus vaccine as Moderna, one of the frontrunners, is in the final testing stage and could have a solution by November; and a leading member of SA’s charitable sector waves a flag about SA's mushrooming market in fraudulent PPEs. - Alec Hogg

In episode 64 of Inside Covid-19, mental health is in focus as the pandemic sends societal stress levels surging - we have some tips on how to know you need help and how to get it; Santam’s CEO unpacks the company’s R1bn relief package for lockdown affected clients; we’ll get insights into why home-bound workers have turned to day trading shares, which now accounts for a stunning 20% of US trading activity; and also from America, companies are now insisting on testing before allowing workers back into the building. - Alec Hogg

In episode 63 of Inside Covid-19, some sage advice for us to cement lower spending habits enforced through the lockdown; research by UCT Professor Corne van Walbeek confirms the cigarette sales ban delivered awful unintended consequences; great news from the human trials of Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine, which is also being tested in SA; and undeterred by coronavirus panic, Durbanites led by Servest founder Kenton Fine secure the R3.8bn acquisition of a venerable Dutch IT services group. - Alec Hogg

In episode 62 of Inside Covid-19 there's a glimmer of hope as the virus’ attack rate falls in the Western Cape and may be stabilising in Gauteng and the E Cape; an insider’s view of the frontline from ICU specialist Dr Despina Demopolous; we hear from the owner of a 500 seater restaurant who is one of 2,000 KZN businesses banding together to fight Santam on Business Interruption insurance; and an opportunity for South Africans looking for a previously unaffordable luxurious holiday in the bush as lodges look local to offset foreign tourist losses. - Alec Hogg

In episode 61 of Inside Covid-19, independent economic and political analyst, UCT professor Richard Calland, assesses how the SA government has handled the pandemic thus far; highlights from two powerful but sobering interviews exploring conditions on the Western Cape’s frontline, first with Dr Ross Hofmeyr from Groote Schuur who takes us into his exhausting world, and then neurosurgeon Prof Ian Vlok of Tygerberg Hospital who explains why the liquor ban is cheered by health workers – but increased capacity in taxis, not so much. - Alec Hogg

In episode 60 of Inside Covid-19 we hear why the temporary ban on alcohol sales makes sense in the context of growing pressure on hospital beds; Dr Sheri Fanoroff’s guidelines on what you need to do after testing positive; the South African brothers pioneering online high schooling who got a coronavirus boost; and why it’s really important for us in the Southern Hemisphere to get a flu shot this year to protect against simultaneous infections of Covid-19 and seasonal influenza. - Alec Hogg