Inside Covid-19

Inside Covid-19: Scary truths about lockdown poverty; busting face-mask myths; catching Covid twice – Ep 75

In this Inside Covid-19 podcast, hear how South Africa is switching to 'surveillance mode' in its efforts to combat Covid-19; plus, the worst seems to be over for the pandemic in the country. We pick up on how Covid-19 containment has been a blunt instrument, causing severe economic strain globally…

25 Aug 2020 11AM 27 min

Inside Covid-19: Beware of virus's long-term effects - Drs Piot, File; Attention shifts to antibodies, immunity. Ep 74

In episode 74 of Inside Covid-19, two of the scientific world’s leading lights, Dr Peter Piot and Dr Thomas File, warn about thus-far overlooked long term impacts on the human body of the coronavirus; and as the world’s focus swings from stemming infections to beating off the virus, we take…

18 Aug 2020 1PM 26 min

Inside Covid-19: Wits gets second global vaccine trial - this time Novavax; Vitality enhancements for over 65s. Ep 73

In episode 73 of Inside Covid-19 there's a focus on vaccines – first with Wits professor Shabir Madhi whose unit was selected by US drug company Novavax to run a critical 2b trial of its coronavirus vaccine. Courtesy of a $15m donation from the Gates Foundation, Wits will conduct a…

17 Aug 2020 1PM 32 min

Inside Covid-19: Reimagining post-pandemic SA with Adrian Gore, Barry Swartzberg, and Prof Francis Petersen. Ep 72

In episode 72 of Inside Covid-19, a focus on the reimagination of South African business and universities after the pandemic - Discovery’s founders Adrian Gore and Barry Swartzberg share their thoughts and we also hear Prof Francis Petersen, vice chancellor of Free State University; we investigate the racial gap in…

13 Aug 2020 2PM 29 min

Inside Covid-19: Doubts over Russian vaccine but others make progress; Evidence lockdowns don't work in Africa. Ep 71

In episode 71 of Inside Covid-19, after Tuesday's excitement around Russia’s coronavirus vaccine, doubts grow because of the apparent haste with which it was created – we’ve got context on that story, and vaccines generally. Plus fresh evidence that lockdowns just don’t work in an African context and some ugly…

12 Aug 2020 1PM 27 min

Inside Covid-19: Foods that blunt virus's sting; SA hero Prof Guy Richards; Kodak's surge; Russian vaccine. Ep 70

In episode 70 of Inside Covid-19, some smart advice from Discovery's chief dietician who explains what to eat to blunt the coronavirus sting; a South African healthcare hero, Wits Professor Guy Richards, shares his own Covid-19 infection journey and explains why his team applied dexamethasone well before the lifesaving drug…

11 Aug 2020 12PM 35 min

Inside Covid-19: Desperation grows in hungry townships, but there is a way out; Guard of Honour for nurses. Ep 69

In episode 69 of Inside Covid-19, worrying feedback on growing hunger in SA’s townships but with solid suggestions on how collaboration CAN overcome the unprecedented challenges; we hear from a hospital in Alberton where doctors and members of the community show their gratitude by forming a guard of honour when…

5 Aug 2020 3PM 31 min

Inside Covid-19: Complacency now the danger as pandemic's worst is behind SA; Tax Justice; Magda Wierzycka. Ep 68

In episode 68 of Inside Covid-19, a rational perspective on the plateauing of coronavirus infections cases in South Africa from Discovery Health CEO Dr Ryan Noach with a warning that although we've peaked, complacency will be costly; Yusuf Abramjee, founder of Tax Justice SA, shares a compelling argument on the…

4 Aug 2020 2PM 31 min

Inside Covid-19: "Peaked" argument gathers momentum; Rationality on IMF loan; Where 2m distancing comes from. Ep 67

In episode 67 of Inside Covid-19, we take a closer look at Vitality’s successful crowdfunding approach to helping the nation fight the coronavirus; there’s a rational perspective on South Africa’s hotly debated R71bn pandemic-related loan from the IMF; we hear from the independent actuaries and professionals group PANDA on why…

3 Aug 2020 1PM 28 min

Inside Covid-19: SA deaths in context, may have peaked; IMF loan a "watershed"; Apple's pandemic indicator. Ep 66

In episode 66 of Inside Covid-19, we take a deep dive into what’s killing South Africans, including the relative impact of Covid-19; hear from the Africa partner of a major global law firm why the fine print will make yesterday’s IMF loan a game changer for the economy; we hear…

29 Jul 2020 2PM 31 min

Inside Covid-19: B4SA expects case, death surge till end August; fresh vaccine hope; new Tips for Trevor campaign. Ep 65

In episode 65 of Inside Covid-19, some upside from the pandemic as we hear from Martin Kingston that business and government are forging a working relationship that’s closer than ever before, but B4SA expects a surge in cases, mortalities until late August; The Foundry restaurant's owner launches his own Tips…

28 Jul 2020 1PM 26 min

Inside Covid-19: Beating mental health challenges; Boris loses a stone; Santam CEO explains R1bn BIC "relief". Ep 64

In episode 64 of Inside Covid-19, mental health is in focus as the pandemic sends societal stress levels surging - we have some tips on how to know you need help and how to get it; Santam’s CEO unpacks the company’s R1bn relief package for lockdown affected clients; we’ll get…

27 Jul 2020 2PM 31 min

Inside Covid-19: Good news on the Oxford vaccine - and enforced changes to spending habits. Ep 63

In episode 63 of Inside Covid-19, some sage advice for us to cement lower spending habits enforced through the lockdown; research by UCT Professor Corne van Walbeek confirms the cigarette sales ban delivered awful unintended consequences; great news from the human trials of Oxford University’s Covid-19 vaccine, which is also…

22 Jul 2020 2PM 30 min

Inside Covid-19: Glimmers of hope on attack rates; KZN businesses come together against Santam; Lodges look local. Ep 62

In episode 62 of Inside Covid-19 there's a glimmer of hope as the virus’ attack rate falls in the Western Cape and may be stabilising in Gauteng and the E Cape; an insider’s view of the frontline from ICU specialist Dr Despina Demopolous; we hear from the owner of a…

20 Jul 2020 2PM 27 min

Inside Covid-19: Insiders share life in the Western Cape frontlines - Groote Schuur and Tygerberg Ep61

In episode 61 of Inside Covid-19, independent economic and political analyst, UCT professor Richard Calland, assesses how the SA government has handled the pandemic thus far; highlights from two powerful but sobering interviews exploring conditions on the Western Cape’s frontline, first with Dr Ross Hofmeyr from Groote Schuur who takes…

15 Jul 2020 2PM 26 min

Inside Covid-19: Liquor ban key for hospitals' virus fight; Why you need a flu vaccine - this year especially. Ep 60

In episode 60 of Inside Covid-19 we hear why the temporary ban on alcohol sales makes sense in the context of growing pressure on hospital beds; Dr Sheri Fanoroff’s guidelines on what you need to do after testing positive; the South African brothers pioneering online high schooling who got a…

14 Jul 2020 2PM 33 min

Inside Covid-19: Interview with Dr Anthony Fauci; Two perspectives on Ramaphosa's Booze Ban shock. Ep 59

In episode 59 of Inside Covid-19, we package highlights from some of today's top virus-related interviews that have relevance to South Africa headlined by a fascinating discussion with the US’s coronavirus doctor Anthony Fauci. There are two perspectives on last night’s controversial new regulations imposed by SA president Cyril Ramaphosa…

13 Jul 2020 2PM 29 min

Inside Covid-19: Back to school anxiety; revisiting Dr Jo Barnes, Prof Andreas Diacon and Andrew McPherson. Ep 58

In episode 58 of Inside Covid-19, we assess the anxiety about sending children back to school and media reports the coronavirus is now airborne; we revisit with two of our medical experts, forthright epidemiologist Dr Jo Barnes who sees a bright side for the nation after the very hard road…

8 Jul 2020 1PM 33 min

Inside Covid-19: SA's healthcare system coping despite surge; Court rules Business Interruption insurers must pay. Ep 57

In episode 57 of Inside Covid-19, South Africa’s healthcare system is holding up despite a surge in hospitalisations; the court rules against Guardrisk, with costs, after it is sued by a Cape Town restaurant demanding settlement on a Business Interruption insurance claim - but Santam still refuses to budge; and…

7 Jul 2020 1PM 24 min

Inside Covid-19: Existential battle looms as companies take on their insurers in SA, US and elsewhere. Ep 56

In episode 56 of Inside Covid-19, we get perspective on the surge in South African coronavirus infections and mortalities; take an in depth look at an existential battle between companies and their insurers both here in South Africa and the United States; and hear the sobering news that despite a…

6 Jul 2020 2PM 46 min