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Can pandemic threats justify border closure for island nations like NZ?
… infectious agents and possible synthetic bioweapons. In a study we just published in a journal, we explored the costs and benefits of complete … human modification of existing or potential pathogens (2). A common view is that country border closures have a limited, …
Briefing
The Omicron waves – Comparing Aotearoa NZ and Australia in four key graphs
… experience of the first Omicron wave is more severe, with a higher hospitalisation rate. We recommend that the NZ … first identified Omicron at its border just three days after it was first recognized in South Africa in late … the booster is known to reduce severe illness from Omicron infection, this factor may partially explain the generally …
Briefing
Improving NZ Government communication about COVID-19: Five suggestions
… of the Prime Minister, combined with an ability to be a strong leader by “enacting tough policies such as closing … highly sensitive screening strategy for early detection of infection in an individual). Factually inaccurate … (and even these can be in just a brief summary form 22 or after journalists and others have pursued official …
Briefing
Why NZ should consider adopting “mass masking” as an additional step to speed elimination of the Covid-19 pandemic
… public mask use is common in some Asian countries as a control measure in the current Covid-19 pandemic. There is … In health care settings masks are used widely for infection control – though it is still not proven that N95 … through talking [3][4]. The droplets can sometimes travel a lot further than the current 2m distancing guidelines [5]. …
Briefing
Preventing outbreaks of COVID-19 in NZ associated with air travel from Australia: New Modelling study of alternatives to quarantine
… outbreaks associated with air travel from Australia (with a low prevalence of COVID-19 infection) to NZ. We found that the combined use of exit and … an outbreak of COVID-19 in NZ was estimated to occur after an average time of 1.7 years (95% uncertainty interval …
Briefing
Will the Health Star Rating labels improve people’s diets?
… Consumers have a right to have informative yet easy-to-use nutrition … and consumer organisations in Australia. This came about after Ministers from Australian and New Zealand Governments … foods and, in particular, help consumers who don’t often use the NIP to make decisions like those who do use it …
Briefing
Why we need an Aotearoa Centre for Disease Control (CDC)
… managing multiple ongoing infectious disease challenges. A key responsibility would be building integrated … centres in Melbourne (including the Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity and the Burnet Institute) to form the … it to mobilise specialised workforce support, though often relying on large amounts of gifted time. This response …
Briefing
Where do the parties stand? Long-term thinking & catastrophic risks
… long - term global risks and their intention to introduce a Global Catastrophic Risk Management Act. All five parties … and only one, Te Pāti Māori, favoured any consideration of a US-style Global Catastrophic Risk Management Act. In … Centre contacted each of the five major parties with a set of questions about their position on five areas …
Briefing
Improving ventilation in schools: a key protection against Covid-19 outbreaks and an enduring legacy for healthier learning
… critical that ventilation is improved in schools; it is often as easy as opening windows, but ultimately new … and improved resourcing are required. Ventilation is a valuable protection that works well in combination with … (RSV) infection that returned to New Zealand during 2021 after being almost eliminated by the Covid-19 response in …
Briefing
Does healthy food really cost more?
… There is a perception that healthy food costs more – but does it … USDA ERS, 2012. (5) (US$) I reached a similar conclusion after exploring different metrics for the cost of common … diseases, and our obesogenic environment where people often eat more energy than required? A New Zealand study …
Briefing

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