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It's @CroakeyNews megathread time again, looking back over the past week or so of stories we've run - most, as you'd imagine, looking at impacts of the #coronavirus pandemic, but also beyond. Thanks to @MelissaSweetDr for steering the ship.
A highlight was our #coronavirus #CroakeyCatchup - in 2 shifts - to think about how we can best cover public health in this new world (& who can find the best/worst background slide, or find out how to find one #ludditelightup) - @coopesdetat smashed the #80sVideoAward category
So here comes a rundown of stories and a reminder that you can get our weekly e-bulletin by subscribing here – https://shop.croakey.org/ or straight out donate to support #PIJ. And make sure you catch up with @WePublicHealth where @rzosel is sharing news from #AroundTheTraps
And don't miss the @CroakeyVoices podcast series from @CateeC https://croakey.org/croakey-voices/ - which this week featured @AlisonVerhoeven, @RuralDoctorsAus CEO @petalac71, @AMSANTaus's @jpatto12 & great #coronavirus road trip postcard
At the top of our ebulletin this week, was this important inside look from @researchjames on what's going into the national pandemic planning to "bullet proof" Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities https://croakey.org/bullet-proofing-aboriginal-and-torres-strait-islander-communities-from-covid-19/ @LucasDeToca @NACCHOAustralia
Don't miss the piece also from @amymcquire in @SatPaper on the leadership shown by the Aboriginal community controlled heath sector and local communities on #COVID19 - "an example of self determination and exercise in sovereignty" https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/health/2020/04/25/aboriginal-community-healths-success-with-covid-19/15877368009740?utm_source=tsp_website&utm_campaign=social_mobile_twitter&utm_medium=social_share
This urgent warning from @hmcglade highlights how a raft of laws intended to protect health and safety in the pandemic also increase risk to Aboriginal people who already face discrimination and racial profiling by the justice sector https://croakey.org/calling-for-urgent-pandemic-action-to-prevent-more-deaths-in-custody/ @MarkMcGowanMP
Amid rising concerns about food security in remote communities, @fmarked highlighted how the #coronavirus supplement is the biggest boost to Indigenous incomes since Whitlam and should be made permanent, as should suspended mutual obligation requirements https://croakey.org/the-coronavirus-supplement-is-the-biggest-boost-to-indigenous-incomes-since-whitlam-it-should-be-made-permanent/
Don't miss this piece from @drgeorgethecrip on the #longtimecoming #COVID19 #disability plan. He (and @Kavanagh_AM in a linked piece) pulls no punches on its importance and his concerns that it won't be fully implemented https://croakey.org/disability-health-and-the-coronavirus-why-implementation-of-the-plan-is-urgently-needed/
Amid distressing failure by the Australian Govt to address #coronavirus risks to asylum seekers/refugees in detention, @rightsagenda has filed a case in the High Court alleging @PeterDutton_MP & Border Force have breached their duty of care https://croakey.org/amid-pandemic-concerns-for-detainee-safety-can-this-legal-action-save-lives/
Our story outlines how Canberra has failed to respond meaningfully to concerns about asylum seekers raised by multiple health orgs (& re lack of medical oversight of our detention system) https://croakey.org/amid-pandemic-concerns-for-detainee-safety-can-this-legal-action-save-lives/ @GeorgeNewhouse @LouiseKNewman @RANZCP @ranzcog @ASID @MSFAustralia
A worrying development has been the sudden solo transfer of @FarhadBandesh from the Mantra hotel, where he has led #Medevac detainee protests, incl on @QandA with @hamishNews https://twitter.com/Kon__K/status/1253535244960935938 - hear @RNBreakfast report re #chilling concerns https://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/breakfast/kurdish-refugee-removed-from-a-hotel-in-melbourne-overnight/12179986
Asylum seeker fears were underscored when @VictorianCHO Brett Sutton announced a #coronavirus outbreak in an inpatient psych unit and the "explosive potential in closed facilities". Big issue for feds and the broader community (bonus self interest!). https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-04-24/coronavirus-outbreak-at-psychiatric-facility-in-victoria-covid19/12180212 -
The impacts of #coronavirus on mental health are a growing area of concern. @RosenbergSeb has been providing an excellent global series - taking us to the challenge and solutions in many destinations. Here's the view from Denmark & the Nordic nations https://croakey.org/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-denmark-and-the-nordic-countries/
Later in the week, @RosenbergSeb looked at how the @WHO is viewing mental health issues in the pandemic, including/particularly for the health care workforce https://croakey.org/the-who-perspective-on-mental-health-amid-a-psychiatric-unit-covid19-outbreak-here/.
Last week's release by @HumanFutureAu of the 10 great risks facing humanity prompted this hopeful, helpful piece from @cbr_heartdoc on why we should think about the future of humanity -- and do it today https://croakey.org/time-to-think-about-the-future-of-humanity-as-we-face-ten-catastrophic-risks/ @NCESummit2020 @DocsEnvAus @healthy_climate
Looking at solutions close to home, @paulymarsha
& @YottiKingsley say measures to support and promote community gardening should be part of the mental health response to the #coronavirus pandemic https://croakey.org/a-call-to-cultivate-mental-wellbeing-through-community-gardening/
& @YottiKingsley say measures to support and promote community gardening should be part of the mental health response to the #coronavirus pandemic https://croakey.org/a-call-to-cultivate-mental-wellbeing-through-community-gardening/
There are also opportunities to be found via the pandemic for improving not only the health system, but also broader recognition of the importance of health to a strong economy/society, says @woodruff_tim from @AusHealthReform @drsreform https://croakey.org/covid-19-and-lessons-for-our-health-system/ - a great read
Always good to be reminded (HT @woodruff_tim) of the work on The Spirit Level work on equity by @ProfRGWilkinson & @ProfKEPickett ( @equalitytrust) https://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/sites/default/files/SpiritLevel-jpg_0.pdf - see her recent piece on the 'infinitesimally-small silver lining' to the pandemic https://www.robinson.cam.ac.uk/news/much-better-new-normal-professor-kate-pickett-impact-covid-19
Meanwhile, @DrDebGleeson & @DavidGLegge argue here why intellectual property reform is now urgent in the pandemic & why Australia should over-ride patents to prevent shortages of vital medical supplies https://croakey.org/three-simple-things-australia-should-do-to-secure-access-to-treatments-vaccines-tests-and-devices-during-the-coronavirus-crisis/
Also this week, another great #coronavirus policy/research wrap from @AlisonSBarrett on mental health impacts of quarantine, public health interventions, and @WHO's update of its response plan https://croakey.org/covid-19-wrap-mental-health-impacts-public-health-interventions-and-global-policy/
And, hot off the press, latest #TheHealthWrap from the tireless @LRussellWolpe. She highlights some worrying insights on #obesity risks with the #coronavirus and around mental health, incl warnings from @PatMcGorry https://croakey.org/the-health-wrap-obesity-non-covid19-patients-the-missing-deaths-mental-health-public-health-funding-nzs-first-bloke/
. @LRussellWolpe explores growing concerns that #nonCOVID19 patients have “vanished” across the globe, a "silent sub-epidemic of people who need care at hospitals but dare not come in", & who @MyaCubitt @GregHuntMP @MichaelKidd5 have also warned about https://croakey.org/the-health-wrap-obesity-non-covid19-patients-the-missing-deaths-mental-health-public-health-funding-nzs-first-bloke/
. @LRussellWolpe also continues to track the issue of the “missing deaths” in the pandemic, those outside of hospitals that are mostly not being tracked except by Belgium - putting it in pole position for both rigour and singling out by @realDonaldTrump https://croakey.org/the-health-wrap-obesity-non-covid19-patients-the-missing-deaths-mental-health-public-health-funding-nzs-first-bloke/
Among other great links from @LRussellWolpe in her #TheHealthWrap is this extraordinary @NEJM piece from US health executive Andrew W. Artenstein on the efforts his facility has undertaken in pursuit of PPE, incl managing black market & hijacking concerns https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMc2010025
There’s also an important and timely report on the impact of chronic underfunding on the US public health system which @LRussellWolpe says should make important reading also in Australia, eg for @GregHuntMP @Bowenchris https://croakey.org/the-health-wrap-obesity-non-covid19-patients-the-missing-deaths-mental-health-public-health-funding-nzs-first-bloke/
Finally, there was much interest in this piece from @grantbrookesnz & Kerri Nuku on why @NZNurses had resolved not to celebrate Florence Nightingale's birthday: https://croakey.org/nz-nurses-organisation-why-we-arent-celebrating-florences-birthday/
Also published this week as part of the @CroakeyNews #Acknowledgement series was this piece from @timothycareyphd asking is it not time for other health professionals, systems to follow @AustPsych lead to recognise harm to Indigenous peoples https://croakey.org/time-for-other-health-professionals-systems-to-recognise-harm-to-indigenous-peoples/
And before I get to the bit where we urge you to support @CroakeyNews & public interest journalism: an important #CoveringClimateNow story from @markhertsgaard & @kylepope on the lessons that #COVID19 has for journalists covering the climate crisis https://croakey.org/covid-19-has-lessons-for-journalists-covering-the-climate-crisis/
But also don't miss this masterclass on public health communications from @SimonChapman6 amid warnings that we should not close the pandemic parachute mid-flight https://croakey.org/its-time-for-a-parachute-analogy-as-well-as-pandemic-communications-that-are-respectful/
And ICYMI: you can catch up on the @WHO music special featuring 8 hours of tunes and tributes to pandemic health workers or if you'd rather stick to Australian music, try 3+ hours from last night's #AnzacDay 
#HomeFront event
#HomeFront event
Also if you feel like a bit of old-fashioned #lockdown #hoedown with a lot of love on show, check out regular songs from @JimmyBarnes @jane13barnes and their multi talented family, complete with bagpipes and banjos https://twitter.com/JimmyBarnes/status/1252161293122822144
And also good for your heart, body and soul: good news that the wonderful @Paula_OConnell will continue her twice weekly #ChairYoga (free for frontline health workers) https://croakey.org/sit-down-for-your-health-and-join-us-online-for-some-chair-yoga/ in May
That was the week that was at @CroakeyNews. We'd love it if u u can share our stories, contribute ideas/articles, subscribe, donate, or consider @CroakeyServices. Read about it here https://croakey.org/ . We have exciting things coming up, great if you can partner up with us.
