Lately for Monday 16 November 2020

10:20 Do we have to be scared into wearing masks?

Masks will be mandatory on most public transport in Auckland and on all domestic flights from Thursday.  Travel on public transport in and out of Auckland will also be covered but children under 12 and school buses will be exempt.   Taxi and ride share drivers will be required to wear masks but not their passengers.   Epidemiologist Dr Michael Baker says opportunities have been lost by not insisting passengers wear masks.

 

10:30 UK and Europe correspondent, Rich Preston

Amid positive news about the first Covid vaccine, Czech primary schools are poised to return to normal and Sweden limits alcohol sales, while the pandemic worsens in the US.  A major environmental meeting of the global shipping industry could result in cuts to carbon emissions and French troops fight Islamist militants in the Sahel region of Africa. 

 

10:45 Northland lakes part of global microplastics study

Two Northland dune lakes are part of a first-of-its-kind international study that is aiming to measure the presence of microplastics in lakes. Microplastics in the ocean are known to harm animals, birds and kaimoana, but no one has ever measured how prevalent they are in New Zealand's freshwater lakes. The results of the study will guide attempts to protect waterways from the emerging pollutant. Freshwater scientist Manas Chakraborty joins the show to discuss.