What's That Rash? (ABC listen)

While most of the Australian population is vaccinated against COVID-19, going by the amount of people who have died in 2022, this is by far the worst year of the pandemic.

More than 5000 people have died so far this year, and another 30 or 40 are continuing to die on average each day at the moment.

So on this week’s Coronacast, why have we stopped paying attention to deaths and can we do anything to reduce them?

Also on today’s show:

* Paxlovid is now part of the PBS. So what is the drug again? Who should take it? When? And why?

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?

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!

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

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)

Two years into the pandemic, we're still discovering new things about COVID almost daily.

The latest is what COVID can do to your heart, a year after you've been infected.

A huge study has shown really disturbing problems from heart attacks, to strokes, to blood clots on the lungs to heart failure.

So on today's Coronacast, who is at most risk? And what does this tell us about COVID as a disease?

Also on today's show:

* International tourists - what will they bring?

* The real story about aged care

* Who needs a fourth dose, when and why?

Sydneysiders face another four weeks in lockdown, as health authorities desperately try to bend the curve of coronavirus infections.

While there has been some tightening of restrictions, epidemiologists remain skeptical it'll achieve a decline in caseloads anytime soon.

Restrictions are tighter in eight of Sydney's local government areas, which were expanded to include Parramatta, Campbelltown and Georges River where people can't leave unless for very specific work.

So on today's Coronacast, will four more weeks be enough? Or in a month, could we be in the same place we are now?

A glance at the headlines reveals some worrying news: it seems the Delta coronavirus variant is affecting young people and kids far more than previous strains.

And it's true, but while more kids are getting Delta, they're not getting more sick.

Data from NSW shows that the infection rate is around 10 to 15 times higher, but the rate of hospitalisation is about the same at roughly 2 per cent.

So what could be going on? And what does should we aim for in regards to vaccinating kids?

Also on today's show:

* From hard lockdowns to softer ones?

* Do old strains of coronavirus disappear after it has mutated into the new strain? Is there only the Delta strain now?

Last year was all about the push to vaccinate adults and teens against COVID-19, and despite a slow start we certainly got there in the end.

Now this year the vaccine focus has turned to two things: third doses for adults, and first doses for younger kids.

So how is the vaccine rollout for 5-11s going? How do the vaccines work in kids and what is the latest of safety and efficacy?

If you've been following the daily COVID-19 case numbers in Sydney, you'll know the numbers are steadily increasing.

So far, despite a lockdown lasting weeks and weeks, the NSW Government's restrictions have not yet managed to bend the curve.

The NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian says the fight against Delta means the old way of doing things needs to be revisited and it needs a different approach.

So on today's Coronacast, does Delta change things? And if so, how?

Also on today's show:

* Research finds infections were three times lower in people who were fully vaccinated

Australia's vaccination rate increasing over the weeks has been a thing of beauty to watch, and hopefully soon will help pay out dividends.

But along with helping prevent the hospital system from collapsing, vaccines might be better than we thought at helping you avoid catching COVID-19 at all.

A pre-print study out of the UK has recently reported back in a massive study and has been able to slice and dice all sorts of variables when it comes to avoiding COVID.

But there are some interesting differences depending on which vaccine you got.

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?

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?

Western Australia has reopened its border after more than a year of staying shut off from the world as part of its COVID control strategy.

While people can once again travel, WA is in the middle of a growing outbreak - but it has imposed restrictions to help flatten the curve.

With WA now open again, Australia is once again whole - so how is the nation tracking for COVID and how does 2022 compare to previous years?

Also on today's show:

* The TGA provisionally approves AstraZeneca's combination antibodies. What is it? How does it differ from vaccination? And why might it be useful?

Australia's vaccine rollout got off to a rough start. It slow to begin and was plagued with problems regarding patchy supply and shifting eligibility.

But in the last few weeks, we've really hit our stride with data from the ABC showing that NSW is now vaccinating more people per million each week than the UK and the USA at their peak.

So on today's Coronacast, with increased supply of Pfizer and Moderna due next month and young people running out to get AstraZeneca, can we maintain the pace and will it help us end lockdowns forever?

Also on today's show:

* Can you do an update on exactly what vaccination does and doesn't do in terms of protecting individuals and society?

* I have had one dose of Pfizer. Do I have any protection against the virus yet?

* I'm in Tasmania and over 60 years old but worried about AstraZeneca. Is there any possible alternative?

* Norman always says lockdown early. Can you please explain how Melbourne numbers are going up so quickly despite locking down at the first case?

It's well known by now that you need to have both doses of whatever vaccine you have for the best possible protection against coronavirus.

But what if it actually takes three shots to get there?

We are learning more and more about immunity against COVID-19 from overseas experiences, including a successful booster program in Israel.

So might the ol' two dose vaccine regime actually take three? That's on today's Coronacast.

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?

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?

Is it finally time to say a big see ya later to the latest B5 COVID wave?

The Omicron family has already brought us several waves - the first at the start of the year when it muscled out Delta and the most recent big one via B5.

But there are signs that it is finally slowing down. Cases are dropping and there are small, but positive, signs that deaths are also falling.

So while it may be the end of the worst of B5, what could be next?

It sounds impossible: the complete and utter annihilation of the SARS-CoV-2 virus, worldwide. Almost too silly to even mention.

Well, according to a research paper published in the British Medical Journal's Global Health it's something that - while very difficult - may be possible.

The article says that COVID-19 eradication might be slightly more feasible than for polio, which was almost eradicated from the world.

So on today's Coronacast, is it possible? And what else is the research telling us about COVID-19?

The ACT is in a week-long lockdown, joining many other regional NSW local government areas and Melbourne on their journey to stopping Delta.

The ACT Chief Health Officer Dr Kerryn Coleman says as yet there's no known link back to known Sydney cases, and genomic information will be available today.

And Victoria yesterday recorded two cases in hotel quarantine who had arrived on a plane from Sydney.

So on today's Coronacast, with the virus continuing to push outwards, can anything be done to stop it?

Coronacast is taking a small break. We'll be back on Wednesday 18th August!

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?

One of the mainstays over the past few years has been daily reporting of COVID cases, hospitalisations, ICUs and deaths.

Fully vaccinated NSW residents will be given a very small increase in freedoms, after the state reached more than 6 million vaccination doses earlier this week.

The state's Premier Gladys Berejiklian yesterday revealed that from mid-September, people who are fully vaccinated will be able to meet more people or spend more time outdoors - depending on where they live.

But it wasn't all good news, with the state revealing more than 1000 new COVID-19 cases - the highest it's been in Australia at any point of the pandemic.

So on today's Coronacast, is this a turning point in how lockdowns operate as we move on from trying to eliminate COVID spread?

Also on today's show:

* How are we supposed to keep following the rules when we get nothing in return?

* Please tell us about Lambda and AY3. Should we be concerned?

Case numbers in both Victoria and NSW continue to climb, with both states yesterday posting new daily records for this year.

While Victoria's daily cases are far behind NSW, Victoria is on a similar trajectory as NSW was - despite locking down hard and early.

So what's going on? Why are cases continuing to rise?

Also on today's show:

* ATAGI recommends vaccinations for 12-15 year olds

* With kids getting the vaccines, what will that mean for the 70/80 per cent targets (as more people are now getting vaccinated)

* What is the likelihood of an even more transmissible or deadly strain emerging and what should we be doing to be ready for it?

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?

When the pandemic started we were so worried about surfaces. But it turned out that wasn't so much of a concern.

The big thing was the very air we breathe.

But as Governments largely scale back on mandates and restrictions, experts are urging more be done on things that can prevent spread of the virus

And the big target is better ventilation.

On today's special Coronacast, Tegan Taylor takes a look around to see how bad the air is in everyday life.

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

You might have heard a friend or family member say 'I'm waiting for Pfizer', on the assumption that the mRNA vaccine works better than others.

But according to a recent study from the University of Oxford, immunity from the Pfizer vaccine may actually start to wane faster than AstraZeneca.

A month ago, Israel began a program of booster shots, giving older people a third shot of the vaccine to try and help tame a growing outbreak of the Delta variant.

So on today's Coronacast, what do we know about how long immunity may last?

Also on today's show:

* What effect would it have on our community if those who are fully vaccinated were given some benefits, such as reduced restrictions?

* When do we stop contact tracing altogether?

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.

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?

We keep hearing that vaccination might not be enough to get us out of the grip of COVID - so what will be enough?

Well, a new group of Australian experts has taken a stab at the types of interventions that may be required alongside vaccination if we are to successfully live with COVID-19.

While high vaccination rates are part of it, it also includes measures like proper ventilation in buildings, vaccinating children when possible, masks and extra vaccine doses.

So on today's Coronacast, how might we live with COVID-19 in 2022?

Also on today's show:

* What was the first year of COVID like in Australia for our health?

* Updates on NSW and Victoria.

It's taken several weeks, but the number of new COVID-19 cases in Western Australia is now increasing rapidly.

At the start of February, WA had a 7-day average of 19 cases a day. Now that average is nearly 100.

So from here, can we expect to see a very rapid increase in cases like we saw in the eastern states over Christmas/New Year?

Or could the delayed reopening and closed borders help flatten that curve?

Also on today's show:

* Victoria and NSW announce they're loosening restrictions even more

'Go hard, go early' was the playbook when there was a Delta outbreak in Victoria in early August.

But nearly two months later the state is on the same curve as NSW was.

So why is Victoria tracking the same way NSW did when it responded more quickly? And does it mean we can expect the curve to bend when vaccination rates rise?

Also on today's show:

* If I successfully fend of an infection, does that help my immune system?

* What's the ideal gap for AstraZeneca vaccination?

* Quick Fire Friday returns with: What Would Norman Do?

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

So, where's this pandemic actually heading? It's a good question and quite hard to answer as... well... no one can tell you the future.

But experts have never shied away from making some educated guesses, including SAGE, the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies in the UK.

They've published four scenarios ranging from as good as it can be given the circumstances to downright doom and gloom.

So on today's Coronacast, what does SAGE think we can expect from the pandemic over the next few years and which scenario is most likely to be right?

The Victorian Government will today announce details around how it plans to manage COVID-19 cases as it rushes to vaccinate as many people as possible.

Yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews said he'd be meeting with health officials to develop thresholds for the easing of the lockdown, where possible.

It's a move away from the COVID-zero goal of the past, as it appears unlikely that the state will manage to eliminate the spread of the Delta variant.

So on today's Coronacast, is this a new medium term strategy of balancing caseloads with the hope enough people will be vaccinated before the health system crumbles?

Also on today's show:

* Is there any research on having a mRNA shot first followed by Astra in terms of efficacy and safety?

* An interesting study on COVID-19 and immune-mediated inflammatory diseases

With the coronavirus outbreak in NSW not yet showing many signs of getting better, and another outbreak in Queensland growing by the day - it's all a bit depressing

But there is good news: the vaccine program is finally speeding up and with every passing day thousands more people are vaccinated against COVID-19.

So on today's Coronacast, if very high vaccination rates can continue in NSW, a turn around might not be as far away as we fear.

Also on today's show:

* The end of winter will coincide with predicted population vaccination goals. How do we distinguish between the seasonal aspect of COVID and vaccine effect?

* Why is forcing over 60s to have AstraZeneca not being recognised as discrimination and agism?

* I am 61, when will I be eligible for the Pfizer jab?

* Can we get more Pfizer doses by using the remaining amount at the end of each vial?

This time last year, Australia's vaccination program was getting underway and many were coming forward for their first or second shots.

But Australia's haven't embraced the third dose as quickly or in as large numbers.

The third dose is vital for the best protection against disease, and is recommended for the majority of Australians.

So why aren't people coming forward as quickly?

Also on today's show:

* Is it possible that we may have caught COVID without realising it?

* Are there instances of assumed second COVID infections that are actually just relapses?

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?

The outbreaks in NSW and Victoria are now large enough that it's impossible to follow what's happening with the detail that we once used to be able to.

But one thing that we should keep an eye on is hospitalisation and deaths coming from the outbreaks.

In NSW, it seems as though hospitalisations are falling - as more people come forward for vaccinations. In Victoria, the numbers are still rising.

So on today's Coronacast, how are Australia's outbreaks tracking? And what might we expect in coming weeks?

Also on today's show:

* Hello South Australia

* Clarifications about Monday's episode on Pfizer transmission data

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 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.

The nation's vaccine goals are all about getting 70 to 80 per cent of people aged 16 or more vaccinated.

But that still leaves large numbers of people who aren't vaccinated, and the vast majority of them are kids.

So what's the plan for kids when the country starts opening up and what do we know about when vaccines might be trialled and approved for children?

Also on today's show:

* If two doses of either COVID-19 vaccines offer around 90 per cent protection against hospitalisation and death from the virus, that is still a 1 in 10 chance of being hospitalised if I get the virus. I thought that without being vaccinated the hospitalisation rate was around 1 in 10. I must be missing something here. Can you please explain?

* More on the time gap between AstraZeneca shots in different states.

When COVID burst onto the scene in late 2019, it came as a shock to most of the world's population and we've all been dealing with it ever since.

But to many researchers, it was less of a surprise and more of an inevitability - and now they're urging governments to act now to stop the next one.

It comes down to the old medical saying: prevention is better than cure.

So what can be done to help prevent the next pandemic and how much will it cost?

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!

When COVID hit, there were a whole lot of predictions about how many people would die.

Not just of the virus itself, but the knock on effects from reduced care and other diseases.

One of the latest attempts at working out the number of excess deaths is recently published and has taken a wide view of the population looking for trends.

And while the group found that excess deaths from undiagnosed COVID is likely low in Australia, increased deaths from COVID-caused complications is beginning to show up.

China is fighting its largest coronavirus outbreak since the pandemic begun, but the lockdown being used to try and control it is facing resistance?

Videos on social media appear to show small riots breaking out in parts of Shanghai while some residents are recording themselves screaming and yelling from their apartments in desperation.

So is China's zero-COVID policy unable to withstand the onslaught of Omicron? And why is China resorting to lockdowns?

Also on today's show:

* How's COVID going in the USA?

* Omicron refresher: Do RATs work against it? What are the main symptoms? How long is the incubation?

* How much of the world has had COVID now?

Occasionally, Coronacast gets a question from the audience that not only stumps them, it stumps the expert scientists as well.

And this week, that question came from Helen who was wondering how many people before her had COVID and passed it on to someone else, stretching all the way from her back to Wuhan in China.

It raises many interesting questions about viral evolution and how we can reduce the number of infections globally.

Also on today's show:

* BA2 Omicron sub-variant becoming more and more dominant, according to NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard

* Coronacast will be dropping back to weekly. We'll be out every Wednesday so watch your feed!

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?

Pretty much ever since the pandemic began, we've been told to socially distance by at least 1.5 meters if possible to reduce the chances of infection.

But as the science is gathered on how much viral load flows from an infected person, how relevant is that recommendation? Was it even correct in the first place?

Well a new - yet to be peer reviewed - study has attempted to explain just how much virus is in one's exhaled breath aerosols.

And what does this mean for how the virus is spread?

Throughout history, war and disease have gone hand in hand.

As the Russian/Ukrainian war escalates, it's still too early to know what effect it'll have on the COVID-19 pandemic but it certainly won't help.

So what can we learn from previous conflicts and pandemics, like the 1918 flu pandemic or even the plague?

That's on today's Coronacast

Also on today's show:

* What can we learn from two Omicron superspreading events in Newcastle?

* Cases in WA continue to go up

* Quick(ish) Fire Friday returns!

When it comes to ways to fight COVID-19, vaccines have been the main tool we've used so far during the pandemic.

But new antivirals are being produced for use including in Australia which has recently provisionally approved two different drugs.

They promise to help stop at-risk people ending up in hospital and dying.

So what are the drugs, how do they work and will they usher in a new way of handling the pandemic?

GUEST:Professor Josh Davis, Infectious Diseases, Uni Newcastle, past president of the Australasian Society for Infectious Diseases and member of the National COVID-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce

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?

While COVID continues to ravage the world, it's far from the only virus that's affecting humans at the moment.

Cases of flu are soaring in Australia, and the Queensland Government is worried enough about it that it's offering all Queenslanders a free flu vaccination.

And to add to that is a new outbreak of monkeypox in Europe and North America with 100 suspected and confirmed cases so far, though cases have not been severe.

So what is Monkeypox, could it end up like COVID and how worried should we be?

We keep hearing that the coronavirus vaccine isn't 100 per cent effective in stopping transmission of the virus from one person to another.

And so you could be forgiven for thinking, well what's the point of getting vaccinated if it only protects you from severe disease and doesn't help protect others around you.

Well, the good news is that it does help protect others because it does lower the risk of transmitting the virus, and we have the evidence to prove it.

That's on today's Coronacast.

Also on today's show:

* Are we getting to the peak of the outbreak in NSW?

* Why do you have to inject the COVID-19 vaccine?

If there's one thing that's become a feature of the COVID-19 pandemic, it's that it has seemed to drag on and on.

While it seems like a long time ago, it was only early last year when the SARS-CoV-2 virus popped into our lives.

But how far left have we got to go? If it was a play, what act are we in? And can we take an interval break?

Also on today's show:

* Doherty Institute modelling said we can start opening up at 70 per cent and 80 per cent vaccination rate. This was based on small numbers in the community. What would be the effect of opening with large numbers?

* Since NSW is headed for thousands more cases, could people living there be travelling internationally before everyone else?

* Has anyone caught COVID-19 twice? If so, was it worse the second time?

As we move to the next phases of the pandemic, there are many people who are yet to make the psychological jump and mental readjustment to a different life.

Many are only mildly anxious, but there are also groups of people who are still worried about leaving their house.

So what can you do if you have a friend or family member suffering from pandemic related anxiety or even depression?

GUEST:

Professor Frances Kay-Lambkin, a psychologist and mental health researcher at the University of Newcastle

The sixth season of If You're Listening tells the story of Australia's turbulent history with climate change, and what that means for the future.

As we approach a federal election where climate and energy is a key battleground, this eight episode series will examine how Australia wasted decades fighting change, instead of capitalising on it.

This is a special listen of the first episode and is the only time it'll appear in the Coronacast feed, so if you want to check it out search for "Australia, If You're Listening" where ever you get your podcasts.

Or find the links here on the ABC website: https://www.abc.net.au/radio/programs/if-youre-listening/

Australia is planning on taking the next big steps in its response to the global coronavirus pandemic.

The Federal Government last week released a four-stage plan on how we'll manage virus outbreaks as more and more of us are vaccinated.

In it, the first trigger point comes when 70 per cent of the eligible population - that's 16 years or older - are fully vaccinated.

On today's Coronacast, why that number might be a bit easier to reach than you'd think and why it might not be enough to see the end of restrictions.

Also on today's show:

* What is the reasoning behind NSW Government's decision to prioritise vaccinating year 12 students?

South Australia has spent the first night of a week long lockdown after discovering a bunch of community cases of the highly infectious Delta variant.

It's a different way of handling an outbreak, especially when compared to NSW which waited much longer before declaring a lockdown.

So why do we still see some states act faster than others? And has the Delta variant changed the way contact tracing can help avoid locking down.

Also on today's show:

* More concerns about testing times in NSW and a possible way to reduce the stress on the system

* Whatever happened to deep cleaning?

* How can you consult your GP about vaccines if you don't have one?

As new coronavirus variants come onto the scene, it forces us to revisit what we know about COVID-19 and how to deal with it.

We already know the Delta variant is more infectious, but is it more deadly?

Early data from overseas, and from Australia on ICU admissions imply that it is - but knowing for sure may take a bit longer to know.

Also on today's show:

* Say you got the vaccine and then 30 seconds later, a shark bit off your arm. Would the vaccine still be effective, or does enough of the vaccine stuff happen in your arm itself that you'd need another dose?

As Australia's vaccine rollout continues to grow, and more people get the opportunity to be vaccinated, attention is turning to those who can't.

From the 13th September, kids aged 12-15 can get their jab. But many are wondering when - or if - children younger than that may get their chance.

And in Queensland, Premier Anna Palaszczuk has suggested delaying opening up until kids under 12 can get a shot - but there are still no vaccines approved anywhere in the world for that age group.

So on today's Coronacast, what do we know about young children and Delta? And is it fair to wait until they too can be vaccinated?

Also on today's show:

* Does vaccination reduce your risk of long COVID?

* And what do we know about AstraZeneca and booster doses?

Back at the start of the pandemic, if you tested positive for COVID - or even if you were a contact - you were looking at two weeks of isolation. 

These days, that's been downgraded to a week, and contacts are generally free to go about their normal life. 

But while COVID is still undeniably a health risk, having masses of people undergoing mandatory isolation takes its own toll. 

So should compulsory isolation be shortened or even scrapped altogether?

Also on today's show:

* Are vaccination requirements still useful? 

* Moderna sues Pfizer/BioNTech

* Didn't I see Norman out and about without a mask on the other day? 

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?

There was a large jump in COVID cases in NSW yesterday, and while we're largely moving on from day to day case numbers - this one is worth talking about.

Why? Well, there's a new variant in town and health authorities are already suggesting that we can expect far more from Omicron in coming weeks.

The same goes for other states and territories - like Victoria which still has higher daily figures than NSW, but hasn't yet seen a big jump.

So on today's Coronacast what should we make of the rising caseload and does it matter?

Also on today's show:

* A deeper look at what's going on in South Africa

* An announcement on Coronacast for 2022!

We're all no doubt very tired of the pandemic by now and could be forgiven for hoping now that Omicron has landed in Australia, once we get over the current outbreak it's all over.

But according to evolutionary virologist Eddie Holmes, sadly Omicron won't be the last and in fact the next variant probably won't evolve from Omicron.

So what can we do apart from get vaccinated and hope this terrible roller coaster ride will somehow end soon?

The number of people dying from COVID hit a record high this week, as large case numbers continue in most states and territories.

It comes as no surprise then that NSW and Victoria announced that people can get their third dose at the three month mark, bringing it forward from the 31st January which was originally planned.

So why roll out boosters even earlier? Could the number of deaths be tied to people not being as protected as they could be?

Also on this week's show:

* Vaccine supply and logistics

* Novavax approved!

* Is the term "elective surgery" a bad way of phrasing it?

* Peaks? Coming soon?

* How reliable are rapid antigen tests?

* Kids vaccination, kids going back to school and keeping kids safe

NSW yesterday hit a new milestone for vaccination in Australia.

More than 80 per cent of the state has now had their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, and it's still rocketing along.

While it's still several more weeks before the 70 per cent double vaccination targets are met, for everyone under lockdown it's a wonderful thing to see.

Add to that the hope that the state could be starting to see that the curve in new cases is levelling off.

Also on today's show:

* Lockdowns see life get worse for many Australians

* What are the chances of someone taking the COVID-19 virus to a gym or club, pub or restaurant if only the fully vaccinated are allowed in?

*** AFTER THIS EPISODE, WE'RE TAKING A WEEK OFF! WE'LL BACK ON THE 27TH SEPTEMBER! ***

Victorians have hit their first big vaccine milestone of 70 percent first dose coverage, and have been given a slight reprieve in lockdown restrictions.

Small outdoor gatherings, increased distances of travel for shopping or exercise and reopening of outdoor exercise equipment are some of the changes.

But as Melbourne - and Sydney - take small steps to eventual reopening, what are the chances that they - or other parts of the country - will end up back in lockdown down the line?

Also on today's show:

* Do NSW data show that our vaccines might be better at preventing infection than we thought?

* Peer reviewed data from Israel shows boosters work for the Pfizer vaccine

* How long will it be until a person with COVID-19 does not need to isolate for 14 days?

* Has any research been conducted to determine a difference in vaccine reactions between males and females?

* My son is 15 months old and has never been sick. Is there any research about what COVID-19 might do with an almost completely new immune system?

For months now, experts have been saying we'll need three doses to be protected from coronavirus, especially the Omicron variant.

And now, it's official.

Yesterday, the rules changed and people over 16 will be required to have all three doses of a COVID vaccine to be considered "up to date".

So why make the change now when previously two vaccines were considered good enough? And might it mean for vaccine mandates down the track?

Also on today's show:

* Should me and my family just go out and get Omicron?

* Should I wait the full eight weeks to get my daughters second vaccination or should I do it at six?

* Does testing positive just after my booster reduce its effectiveness?

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?

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.

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?

As case numbers continue to decline in NSW and the date for opening up gets closer, the state has started to provide details on how isolation requirements for close contacts might work for the vaccinated.

For vaccinated people, isolation after close contact will be halved if you're vaccinated - though movement restrictions may still apply.

It's just one of many changes coming for people in NSW and Victoria - and likely other states in coming months - as more risk tolerant ,COVID-normal policies are implemented.

So on today's Coroancast, what could it look like and how have other parts of the world handled it?

Also on today's show:

* Why are you dissing Tamiflu?

* Tegan's etymology club gains more members. It's got four people now!

A new vaccine will be arriving next week in Australia, to help bolster vaccine rates and protect Australians from COVID-19.

The Moderna vaccine, known by its brand name Spikevax or by its scientific name mRNA-1273, is the country's third vaccine to be administered to the public.

The Federal Government yesterday announced additional supplies of Moderna, in addition to the ten million doses already coming later this year.

So on today's Coronacast, who is Moderna? And what can we expect from this vaccine?

Also on today's show:

* Will Norman go back to the Gym at 70 per cent?

* What do we know about the COVID-19 vaccine on pregnancy?

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?

The NSW Government has released its plan on what will happen once the state passes the 70 per cent double-vaccination target.

Changes for fully vaccinated people include abilities to visit more hospitality and retail venues, visit each other at home and head back into stadiums.

But the 70 per cent double-vaccination target is only of eligible people, so works out to be roughly 56 per cent of the whole population.

So on today's Coronacast, how risky is the plan?

Also on today's show:

* Vaccine passports! Coming to a place near you. How might they work and how reliable are they?

NSW will take its first step out of lockdown on Monday, and it'll be slightly bigger than expected.

The state's new Premier has made some small changes in relation to what fully vaccinated people will be able to do in just a few days.

So what can we expect to case numbers, vaccination rates, hospitalisation and ICU admissions?

And what about the rest of the country - like Victoria and ACT - which will be taking the same steps as NSW in coming weeks and months?

On today's Coronacast, a very special guest to help talks us through all the data.

Many restrictions are being lifted in NSW today, after the state last week hit the 70 percent double vaccination target.

For many, it's a time to reconnect with loved ones and start to live life once again - this time in a more COVID-normal way.

But for others, the reopening is both exciting and a bit nerve wracking - as people take time to re-adjust.

Also on today's show:

* I'm worried about my kids going back to school

* What's going on with Moderna and myocarditis/pericarditis in young men?

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

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?

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

The race has well and truly been on for third dose COVID-19 vaccinations, but now add to that vaccination for the coming flu season.

The past couple of years have seen a lull in flu infections because closed borders kept more than just COVID out — but that will change this year.

So what happens if you get both COVID-19 and the flu and the same time? Is it even possible? And how do you reduce the risk of that happening?

Also on today's show:

* Why isn't Australia pulling its weight when it comes to reporting on vaccine effectiveness?

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.

Russia has been in the news for all the wrong reasons, and here's another concern to add to the list.

Scientists are on the alert about the risk of another virus spilling over from animals to humans. This time it's Russian horseshoe bats and a coronavirus from the SARS family.

It's known as Khosta 2 and while there has been no known human transmission so far, unlike Khosta 1 scientists say there is the possibility that it could occur.

And it's not affected by vaccines for COVID-19.

That's on this week's Cororonacast.

Also on today's show:

* Tracking new COVID variants: we look at 2.75.2

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

As more and more people become infected with COVID-19, more and more people are also going to be reinfected.

But there's another type of reinfection known as a rebound infection, which can happen in the days after you've recovered.

The US President Joe Biden tested positive again this week for COVID-19 only a few days after he was cleared following his treatment with antiviral medication Paxlovid.

So what could be going on? How common are rebound infections and could it extend to people who don't take the drugs also being reinfected?

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?

More and more states and territories are slowly removing restrictions, and letting people try to return to a sense of a normal life.

Victoria yesterday said that masks can come off in most indoor environments from midnight Friday and Queensland is scrapping density limits and stopping daily press conferences.

So is this finally the end of the pandemic, or more just a lull between variants?

Also on today's show:

* Vaccination while pregnant safe, another study finds

* Worried about long-COVID? Here are four possible risk factors that might trigger it.

Did COVID escape from a lab? Was it natural evolution? How did it happen?

These are all very big questions that scientists have been working on answering ever since SARS-CoV-2 arrived in our lives in late 2019.

Now, the release of two (still to be peer reviewed) articles have outlined more evidence that COVID didn't escape a lab, and instead evolved naturally in animals before jumping to humans.

And on today's Coronacast, they may have even found the very cage in the Wuhan market where COVID made the jump.

GUEST:Professor Eddie Holmes, Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney

It's been a massive year for coronavirus and COVID-19.

There have been outbreaks, lockdowns and a pile of new variants.

But there have also been massive successes like the vast majority of Australians coming forward to be vaccinated.

But sadly, the pandemic seems like it's far from over.

So on today's last Coronacast of the year, we look forward to 2022 and offer some tips on how to stay safe this summer.

We'll be back around February 2022! Thanks so much for listening and writing this year.

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?

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?

It seems that COVID cases in the latest wave have indeed peaked, and all things across the usual pandemic metrics are improving.

It's the best COVID caseload we've had since Omicron came into our lives late last year.

So has BA5 burnt itself out or is this just a small respite? And are we due for another variant?

Also on today's show:

* How is COVID associated with increased risks of neurological and psychiatric conditions?

* Is monkeypox getting away from us?

We are only days away from the 2022 Federal Election, where we'll find out who'll be leading the country for the next few years.

But for whoever wins, there's the huge reality of dealing with and managing the ongoing COVID pandemic, which is still killing an average of 40 Australians a day.

COVID policy and response hasn't featured much during the election campaign.

So on today's Coronacast, what COVID issues will face whoever wins office next?

Also on today's show:

* Our daughter tested positive on a RAT. We had a PCR test the same day and it came back negative. So we tested again via a RAT and it was positive again. Does this mean the PCR test wasn't done properly?

* I have been diagnosed with COVID twice this year. Is this the future, COVID every 4 or 5 months?

Looking at the family tree of coronavirus is a bit like taking a trip down memory lane.

The whole crew is there including the famous ones like Alpha, Beta and Delta, and the ones that never really made it into the big time.

But what if we zoom in on Omicron? Lately, there's been a bit of noise made about a few Omicron sub variants. What are they? And how much should we worry?

Also on today's show:

* TGA releases a post-market review for rapid antigen tests. What can we learn from it?

References:

https://www.tga.gov.au/post-market-review-antigen-and-rapid-antigen-tests

It's been a month since Coronacast took a break, and since then a lot has changed.

The BA4 and 5 variants have become dominant, and immunologists are starting to worry about the state of play.

Firstly, BA4 and 5 are acting a bit like new variants. They're evading vaccines and prior infections even more than original Omicron and there's no sign they're slowing down.

And secondly, COVID case loads are surging and hospitals are feeling the pressure.

So what else has changed over the last month, and what's the rest of winter looking like?

Also on today's show:

* I'm suddenly eligible for a fourth dose. Do I bother getting it?

* Can you get the 2nd booster shot 28 days after having COVID (in line with information that re-infection can occur after 28 days), or is it still best to wait the 3 months, and if so, why is it best to wait?

* I've had two AstraZeneca and one Moderna shots. What should I have as my fourth dose?

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?

As the scary peaks in all states and territories in Australia, except WA, seems to be behind us, there is now a new sense of calm.

Daily coronavirus cases seem to be falling for now, and there's renewed hope that the worst of this wave is behind us.

And according to some experts, it could well be the case both here and globally.

Due to so many people now either infected by Omicron or vaccinated, they say we may be settling into a new trough of equilibrium.

So is it the end of the pandemic? Or just a calm before the next storm?

Also on this week's show:

* Deaths are still high

* WA cases are increasing. What are their options?

* Vaccines help protect against long COVID