Nine To Noon for Thursday 16 September 2021

 

 

09:05 Beyond lockdowns: how will the health system cope?

What needs to be done to shore-up our hospitals if, and when, we open up our borders and stop having lockdowns? The government has indicated a change of direction in how we respond to Covid-19 - moving from lockdowns to relying on the health system. In such a scenario, experts are warning hospitals will see a higher number of Covid patients. Lynn speaks with Covid-modeller Professor Shaun Hendy about the numbers our health system should be anticipating. She also speaks with specialist emergency physician and president of the Australasian College of Emergency Medicine Dr John Bonning and Kate Weston, the acting nursing and professional services manager for the New Zealand Nurses Organisation.

09:20 Research: over-breeding causing heart problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels

New research finds over-breeding is causing some puppies' health to fail. The study from Sweden suggests some dogs carry a large amount of potentially harmful genes.  Of those studied the Cavalier King Charles spaniel is most at risk. The Uppsala University team have sequenced the genes of twenty dogs from eight common breeds, including Beagles, German shepherds, Golden Retrievers and Cavalier King Charles Spaniels , the later carrying more harmful genetic variants than other breeds, due to a small gene pool. Two genetic variants were linked to a heart condition common in the breed. Erik Axelsson and his team at Uppsala University published these new findings in the journal PLOS Genetics.  Erik speaks with Lynn Freeman.

09.30 Pocket Maps open up conservation land for Kiwi walkers 

A new mapping app has been launched by Ara Hīkoi Aotearoa the New Zealand Walking Access Commission which hopes to open up new tracks for Kiwi hikers. Pocket Maps is a mobile app which puts charts and information about publicly accessible land in your hand. It sounds so simple but it's a game changer for people trying to carve their own routes. GIS Analyst Danica Torres from the Walking Access Commission has been developing the mapping tool and working on increasing our understanding of the backcountry. 

09:45 UK: Covid winter plan, ex-PMs turn down Boris' dinner, record price hikes

UK correspondent Matthew Parris joins Lynn to talk about how England plans to tackle Covid this winter, the dinner invitation from Boris Johnson that no former PM - except Theresa May - accepted, the big jump in food prices, a ban on the Chinese ambassador visiting Parliament and plans to introduce jet-ski patrol in the English Channel for illegal migrants.

10:05 John Boyne: writing satire in a highly strung world

After being the victim of relentless trolling by people who objected to his last book, Irish writer John Boyne has turned the tables on them in his new satirical novel, The Echo Chamber. He experienced a huge online backlash following the publication of My Brother's Name Is Jessica, which tells the story of a boy struggling to come to terms with his brother coming out as transgender. He deactivated his Twitter account as a result of what he claims were abusive comments.

John Boyne weaves this experience into The Echo Chamber.  He's created the privileged Cleverley family, whose life starts to implode after George, the father who is also the third highest paid BBC presenter, sends an unfortunate tweet that goes viral. George's children and wife also learn how unforgiving the public can be when you don't follow the prescribed path. John's previous books include The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas, a heart-breaking novel set in World War Two.

10:35 Book review: The Survival of Maori as a People by Whatarangi Winiata

Paul Diamond reviews The Survival of Maori as a People by Whatarangi Winiata, published by Huia Publishers

10:45 The Reading

Mother's Surprise by Shirley Eng - the fourth story from 'Mum's the Word': A series exploring aspects of motherhood.

11:05 Apple backs down on anti-exploitation tools, NZ slips in digital competitiveness

Tech commentator Paul Matthews joins Lynn to look at Apple's recent announcement of a suite of tools to tackle child sexual abuse material on devices, and why its had to hit pause on the plans, the new report that's found New Zealand has fallen massively in global rankings for digital competitiveness and it's Māori Language Week – a chance for everyone to explore Te Reo Māori a little more. So what digital tools are around to help?

11:25 How to be the best grandparent

Being a grandparent is a wonderful role. All care and no responsibility, as the saying goes. But these days many grandparents are involved in helping raise their grandchildren, to support working parents. Dr Tessa Grigg is the co-author of a new book for grandparents - a guide to helping bring up well rounded, emotionally balanced grandchildren - even if you only look after them a few hours a week. It's called Grandparenting Grandchildren: new knowledge and know-how for grandparenting the under 5s.

11:45 Scenes from a Marriage, Reservation Dogs, Doogie Kamealoha M.D

Film and TV reviewer James Croot joins Lynn to talk about the reimagined Scenes from a Marriage (Neon, SoHo), starring Jessica Chastain, Taika Waititi's new TV series Reservation Dogs (Disney+) about four teens growing up on a reservation in Oklahoma, and a reboot of popular 90s show Doogie Howser M.D - this one re-gendered and set in Hawaii - Doogie Kamealoha M.D (Disney+).