Nine To Noon for Thursday 19 March 2020

 

 

09:05 Covid-19. Why does New Zealand need to 'test, test, test' ?

More confirmed cases of Covid-19 are expected to be announced later today, after the total number of cases here jumped by 8 to 20 yesterday. Meanwhile, Health Minister David Clark has said routine testing for Covid-19 across the country is expected be rolled out as part of  routine for testing for the common flu. Earlier this week the World Health Organization called on all countries to ramp up their testing programs as the best way to slow the advance of the coronavirus pandemic. In New Zealand only about 500 tests had been done until this week - though another 500 tests were done yesterday. Overseas South Korea's carried out more than a quarter of a million tests - in Italy it's about 150,000 -- in the UK it's 50,000 and they're all similar sized countries. So why is testing so important? Claire Standley is an Assistant Research Professor at the Centre for Global Health Science and Security at Georgetown University in the US.

09:20 Retail sector's covid squeeze, and how no-paywave is a public health problem

The retail sector is braced for thousands of job losses as the number of Covid-19 cases in New Zealand increases. Retail NZ says up to 10,000 workers could lose their jobs as businesses cope with disruption caused by the virus. It's thrown up another issue for the sector - whether a lack of contactless payment methods is now a public health issue. Kathryn is joined by Retail NZ boss Greg Harford, and banking expert Dr Claire Matthews from Massey Business School.

09:30 Otago university now fighting mumps outbreak

Universities around the country are implementing strict protocols on Covid - 19 , and are preparing for the possibility of campuses being closed, and lectures going online.  Otago University is also dealing with an outbreak of mumps - another highly contagious virus spread through close personal contact. There are seven confirmed cases at the University so far, including students living in residential halls. Meanwhile two cases of Covid 19 have been confirmed in Dunedin, closing Logan Park High School, and prompting the widespread testing of 150 close contacts of the student who has tested positive. Kathryn talks with Vice Chancellor of Otago University, Harlene Hayne.

09:45 Covid-19. Queenstown test case for tourism and business

Representatives from business and tourism in Queenstown are meeting with cabinet ministers this afternoon to discuss their immediate needs in light of the Covid 19 epidemic. The Economic Development Minister, Phil Twyford, and the Tourism Minister, Kelvin Davis, will hear, among other pressing issues, the effects restrictions on international travelers are having on local businesses and workers. 90% of the hotel workforce there alone comes from overseas. Kathryn is joined by the CEO of the Queenstown Chamber of Commerce, Anna Mickell and Queenstown Mayor Jim Boult.

10:05 Schools shut across the UK, 3rd UK MP tests positive

UK correspondent Matthew Parris joins Kathryn to talk about the Covid-19 situation across the UK as the death toll there rises to 104 Schools in Scotland, Wales and England are due to close to all but the children of key workers and the most vulnerable children.

10:15 Private hospitals on standby to help with Covid-19

Private hospitals around the country are standing ready to help if public hospitals become overwhelmed by patients. Richard Whitney, President of the Private Surgical Hospitals Association explains to Kathryn what facilities could be available, and what capacity the private sector has.

10:35 Book review - Here We Are by Graham Swift

Catriona Ferguson reviews Here We Are by Graham Swift, published by Simon & Schuster.

Featuring three performers dazzling audiences nightly in a Brighton Pier variety show, Graham Swift’s 11th novel is set in the late 1950s, Swift weaves a magical story of friendship, betrayal and love set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing Britain. 

10:45 The Reading

Snapper in a Landscape  written and read by Declan O’Neill:  Episode four.

11:05 How telcos have stepped up to help people work from home

Technology commentator Peter Griffin joins Kathryn to look at what telcos have done to help those who need to work from home - which ones have wiped data caps from broadband plans? He'll also look at which are the best free tools to consider using.  Peter will also talk about Facebook's embarrassing anti-spam slip up that deleted a heap of legitimate covid-19 stories from its network and which big tech companies are donating to the Covid-cause.

11:25 The joy of sex(uality) education

How can parents best navigate and negotiate the sexuality journey with young people? University of Canterbury Health lecturer Tracy Clelland has conducted the first local research on New Zealand parents' attitudes towards sexuality education. She says many parents find it difficult to talk about sex and sexuality, and even though they may want to, they often go about it in a way that is not conducive to good communication. She talks to Kathryn about how parents can best approach the role.

11:45 Contagion, The Plot Against America, Love is Blind

Film and TV reviewer Tamar Munch looks at the 2011 film Contagion and how it's had a surge in popularity thanks to Covid-19. She'll also review the new series The Plot Against America, the drama that imagines an alternate American history during World War II and Love is Blind, a reality series where people try to find a match and fall in love - without meeting face to face.

 

Music played in this show

Artist:  Lawrence Arabia 
Song: Travelling Shoes
Time: 10:20 

Artist: Eleanor Friedberger
Song: When I Knew 
Time: 11:22