Long Distance Call

It's finally happened.

Geraldine has ditched the broom for the leafblower after years of resistance.

Also this week: Easter services move online.

And as big business urges the Government to restart the economy as soon as possible, Eliza and her Mum think Government may have to ease some of the harsh coronavirus restrictions.

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Eliza is home and thinks Australia is doing a great job at managing the COVID-19 crisis.

Geraldine agrees and is very interested to see how Australia's approach compares to Germany and Singapore.

This week Geraldine interviewed Professor Howard Markel from the University of Michigan about the history of vaccines. Both women agreed that if this coronavirus was targeting children - like polio did decades ago - it would be even harder to control one's fear and anxiety.

Geraldine and Eliza read out some contributions from the LDC community via the Facebook page about how they're keeping busy during these strange times.

Please join the conversation on the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Saturday Extra - The History of Vaccines

A French Village - TV

Girl, Woman, Other - Bernardine Evaristo

Unorthodox - Netflix

Ozark - Netflix

The latest from Geraldine and Eliza on the COVID crisis.

This week: we turn 100 and the world changes around us.

Unfortunately Eliza is too busy for extensive shownotes this week. Perhaps that will be incorporated into next week's virtual learning program.

But this week Eliza and Geraldine talk all things Corona, as the scale of this crisis begins to dawn on the world.

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Thankyou for listening!!

The coronavirus crisis appears to be reaching a crescendo in Australia.

Panic is rising and that's leaving Geraldine quite concerned. She's in favour of the British phrase "Keep Calm and Carry On." Geraldine would prefer to exercise her own judgement about the best way to respond to the pandemic, rather than abide by strict quarantine measures dictated by the Government.

Eliza disagrees with Geraldine's attitude. She thinks the scale of the health crisis warrants an extreme approach. Lebanon is basically in "lockdown" with schools, restaurants, parks and shopping malls all closed. Two weeks of homeschooling has been a stretch. But Eliza has resigned herself to the new routine for another two months at least.

Midway through the podcast Eliza breaks the news that the Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton had fallen ill with the virus.

The women also discuss what history can teach us about the best way to manage the crisis.

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History in a Crisis - Lessons for Covid-19

Singapore Prime Minister addresses the country on Covid-19

British PM Boris Johnson on Covid-19

There were some technical problems with the episode uploaded Sunday morning AEDT ... so we're having another go

What on earth is happening with the run on loo roll?

Geraldine thinks it's a symptom of the need for control in the face of the global flu epidemic.

Eliza thinks life in the West has been stripped of a lot of risk. So when a genuine threat looms on the horizon, people panic more than countries in troubled regions like the Middle East.

Also: Biden's back in America. Geraldine and Eliza discuss Elizabeth Warren's decline in more detail and question how much 'likeability' will play a factor in the final decision.

The women discuss Israeli politics. And why we read books.

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Thanks for listening!

The Corona Virus has arrived in Lebanon.

There's been four confirmed cases of the flu from people who have recently returned from Iran.

Schools are closed for a week (or more) and hand sanitizer is selling out.

Eliza is feeling vaguely demoralizaed by the prospect of another big upheaval to normal life. But she's doing her best to combat the panic spreading through the school WhatsApp groups.

Meanwhile, Super Tuesday is around the corner. Eliza wonders why Elizabeth Warren's star has fallen. Is it because she's sharp and people find that challenging in a female leader? Geraldine thinks Warren was targetted by the big tech companies who feared regulation. Whatever the real reason, it looks like Sanders will win the nomination.

Also this week, Geraldine discusses new research about the ABC audience.

And Eliza isn't a fan of fondue.

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Geraldine has a new phone.

It has a fancy camera and bigger screen.

But the prospect of "learning" her new device has left Geraldine a bit frazzled. She's come to the conclusion that while technology can simplify our lives, it also requires big investments of time to master the new technology.

Eliza is watching the slow decline of Lebanon's economy. She's also been glued to American politics and believes Mike Bloomberg is now the best hope to force Trump out of the White House.

Also this week: Eliza becomes a yogi. Sinn Fein's political resurgence. And Geraldine commits to walking the Lebanon Mountain Trail.

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Saad Hariri calls for early elections

The light That Failed - Ivan Krastev

Interview on ABC Radio National Saturday Extra with Geraldine Doogue

Bye bye Biden

David Runciman’s Talking politics podcast - Sinn Fein and Sardines

Rise of Empires: Ottoman

Lebanon Mountain Trail

Abraham Trail - Israel

Eliza had her wisdom tooth extracted this week. In an attempt to distract from the pain, she asked the dental surgeon for his thoughts on the crisis that's engulfing the Lebanese economy.

“In 1985, the Syrians were shelling us just over there,” he said, pointing out the window. “But at least we had money.”

The local Lebanese currency continues to depreciate against the US dollar. Small businesses are closing every week. Expensive retailers in downtown Beirut are reinforcing their stores with heavy metal doors to stop goods being stolen during protests and riots.

Also on the podcast: Geraldine interviews British polymath Tom Holland.

Eliza begins to despair about Joe Biden as a Presidential candidate.

Salman Rushdie’s brilliant prose.

And the joy of rain during a Sydney summer.

Let us know what you think of the podcast at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

The Designated Mourner – Fintan O’Toole on Joe Biden

Leaders and Dung Beetles – Don Watson

Lebanese historian and journalist Samir Kassir

Two Years, 8 months and 28 days – Salman Rushdie

Rushdie’s Guardian Review

Tom Holland – author

Geraldine has come to the conclusion that Australia should change the date of its national celebration.

Despite this decision, she's found herself worn down by the discussion this year and isn't reading about it like she was in 2019.

In Lebanon, Eliza's serving bacon sandwiches at brunch and revelling in national spirit. Australia - with its universal health care system and superannuation scheme - is a country to be proud of.

Also this week: buying furniture as an expat. Reading Rushdie.

And Trump's impeachment trial.

Let us know what you think of the podcast at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email us at [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Salman Rushdie Two Years, Eight Months and Twenty-Eight Nights

Maureen Dowd on impeachment

Hillary Clinton documentary