Short, sharp shock

The current “slow trickle” of new measures to fight COVID-19 may allow the epidemic to continue to spread, particularly if schools remain open, and mean a far longer road to recovery.

Learning from disaster movies

Many people have turned to disaster films such as Contagion and 28 Days Later to entertain themselves in lockdown, but such films can also offer vital clues about the best – and worst ways – that individuals and societies can respond to global crisis.

Unleash innovation to fight COVID-19

Amid the darkness of the Covid-19 pandemic, the energy of people around the world who are working together to find solutions is a bright spark. Governments and regulators can catch that spark and magnify it to help light a way out of this crisis.

Fighting the virus of loneliness

It is our collective responsibility to protect the most vulnerable from loneliness in the COVID-19 pandemic, says a social researcher from UNSW. We’re going to have to find more ways to connect with one another as physical distancing continues.

The drop in air pollution will be short-lived

COVID-19’s hit to the global economy is cutting air pollution, but the eventual recovery could leave our environment worse off and further behind in reducing emissions.

Things to make and do

As scientists frantically try to find drugs to slow COVID-19’s spread, citizen science offers an opportunity for all of us to get involved by using the technology at our fingertips to unite towards a common goal. 

Tackling COVID-19 from intensive care

Critically ill patients from intensive care units are part of a global trial testing a suite of flu and pneumonia drugs in a bid to combat COVID-19.

Why does Australia have a “National Cabinet”?

Writers such as Naomi Wolf have worried about Australia’s abandonment of its normal checks and balances, but the rebadging of COAG as a ‘National Cabinet’ is in line with constitutional norms during a severe but temporary national crisis.

Breathing space

Mathematical and epidemiological modelling helps us understand whether Australia is flattening the COVID-19 curve and allows us to work backwards from a manageable health services demand – keeping it ‘just flat enough’.

Remaking the world after COVID-19

A new world order could be forged from the terrible fire of this pandemic if we work together to prioritise the needs of all our citizens, and overcome the divides between nations.

Stay positive, Prime Minister

This is an incredibly difficult time for governments and other leaders in their efforts to modify public behaviour in the light of medical advice. Adding insights from behavioural science can help ensure the messages they deliver have the best possible effect.

Handling the “disenfranchised grief” of COVID-19

Public messaging informed by an understanding of “disenfranchised grief” is more likely to be experienced as helpful and reassuring and so encourage people to undertake the social distancing measures which will help protect us all.