NLive Radio - SHOUT TO THE TOP

The Conoravirus Pandemic

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Episode notes

Vice Chancellor of the University of Northampton Professor Nick Petford launches this new show SHOUT TO THE TOP on NLive Radio 1st Wednesday of the Month at 7pm, and this is the podcast version of the interviews (without music).

This first episode focuses on the coronavirus pandemic, and offers local, national and international perspectives on the virus.

Former UoN Nursing undergraduate and postgraduate student, Lucy Wightman, talks about her high-profile role as Northamptonshire’s Director of Public Health. She explains the factors behind last summer’s coronavirus outbreak at Northampton’s Greencore factory, the public response to the virus, while describing how keeping up to speed with Covid is sometimes like “building a plane while you’re flying it”.

Former Northampton GP, Dr David Smart, who retired last year, will talks the pandemic’s impact on mental health and the importance of community resilience. Commenting on high-profile breaches of lockdown rules at Government level, Dr Smart said: “In a pandemic there is a need for clear messaging, and it has been good locally, here in Northamptonshire. But not so much nationally, where the confusion caused by prominent leaders not following their own advice is desperately unhelpful.”

The University’s Associate Professor (Biochemistry), Lee Machado, also make an appearance on this show. Dr Machado, who worked on vaccine development in the biotech sector before joining the University, explains what a virus is; examine concerns around coronavirus mutations and explain why some countries have differing vaccination policies.

Dr Akeem Ali who is based in Fiji, where he works as a team coordinator for the World Health Organisation, Dr Ali will provide a global view of the pandemic, and its impact on the Fiji islands.


NOTES:

These links are from Dr David Smart

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/david-smart16 "I have signed up for the revolution !  This is a cycle ride around London well the outside of it for 155 miles in one day which is certainly going to get me fitter and slimmer. Raising awareness of 10 keys to happier living."

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)32000-6/fulltext is Lancet article on syndemic.

https://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living  is 10 Keys to Happier Living

bit.ly/A$HNorthants  will take people to local Action for Happiness