For the Duration: Recent Episodes
Eastside Radio 89.7FM
For the Duration is a daily podcast by Eastside Radio 89.7FM bringing the local Eastern Sydney community the latest and most reliable COVID-19 information.
FTD features interviews with local politicians, police, medical experts and authoritative figures working to keep us safe and informed during this pandemic.
FTD is side-by-side with the local community, not only in dealing with the situation day-by-day, but just as importantly also being a part of the recovery effort.
Today’s guest on FTD was Federal Member for Wentworth, Dave Sharma. As well as a local update, Mr Sharma also shared his perspective as a former diplomat including the role of the United Nations and World Health Organisation.
In Federal news, the Government is exploring the potential for smartphones to assist in the relaxing of social distancing regulations by tracking citizens. The ABC reports an app based on similar models in the UK and Singapore is currently being developed. The voluntary app would allow authorities to trace contact between those infected with COVID-19 and the community.
In NSW, Premier Berejiklian announced today that a special commission of inquiry would be launched into the Ruby Princess debacle headed by barrister Bret Walker SC. Mr Walker is due to report back to the Premier by Mid-August. All 19 deaths associated with the Ruby Princess cruise ship have been reported to the NSW coroner with the potential for a coronial inquest.
The Berejiklian Government also announced a $440 million rent rescue package, which is says will force landlords and tenants to negotiate preventing rent strikes and evictions. The six month package includes a moratorium on evictions due to rental arrears. There is also a new obligation that both parties must negotiate before a landlord can seek forced end to tenancy.
As always, please get in contact with any questions, queries or comments via fortheduration@eastsidefm.org.
John and Chris are joined by local GP and author of 101 Things Your GP Would Tell You if Only There Was Time, Dr Gillian Deakin. Dr Deakin answers some questions on everyone’s minds including how a test for COVID-19 is conducted and when you need to start to worry about a cough.
Today the NSW government announced increased testing would begin in several areas throughout the Eastern Suburbs including Woollahra, Waverley and Randwick following evidence of community transmission and no identified source.
If you have any symptoms and live, work or have visited any of these areas, call your GP or healthdirect for further information. There are also several local public COVID-19 Clinics. You can find one close to you here.
The government also announced new rapid COVID-19 testing, with negative results been delivered to patients via SMS within 6-8 hours. This will ease pressure on the health system and allow individuals to self-isolate more quickly.
FTD wants to hear from you and is asking for any questions, comments or observations around the COVID-19 pandemic. Please get in touch with us via fortheduration@eastsidefm.org, our Facebook or Twitter.
If you like this podcast and the work we’re trying to do, please share it around our local community.
Welcome to Episode One of For The Duration! FTD is your go to source for accurate and reliable local Sydney Eastern Suburbs information surrounding the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic.
In this episode we are joined by Mayor of Waverley, Paula Masselos, who discusses the controversial beach and walking track closures across the Eastern Suburbs.
FTD hosts, John and Chris also provide an update on where we're at in this pandemic with the latest figures and information.
The website Paula Masselos mentions for reliable and accurate local Covid-19 related news can be found here.
If you would like to get in contact with the FTD team with any information, questions or observations please email us at fortheduration@eastsidefm.org