COVID19 is having devastating effect on lives and economies in Ireland and around the world. In the 'Pandemic' podcast, RTÉ's reporters will bring you the latest news and analysis on the pandemic.
Ep. 93 Delta Blues In Israel
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Outbreaks driven by the Delta variant in Israel are being watched closely around the world. How will a population, where almost all adults are vaccinated, defend itself against the latest coronavirus threat? Amos Harel, Defence Analyst with the Israeli newspaper Haaretz looks at the approach to the rise in case rates.
7/8/2021 • 26 minutes, 55 seconds
Ep. 92 Yemen's War: Covid In A Time Of Cholera
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin A seven year conflict, mass malnutrition and a cholera epidemic: How is Yemen coping with the added strain of Covid-19? MSF/Doctors Without Border Head of Mission in Sana'a Ahmed Mahat gives Pandemic an up-close view from Yemen.
7/1/2021 • 26 minutes, 6 seconds
Ep. 91 EU's Delta Blues
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin EU leaders meet amid mounting concern over the Delta variant of the virus & the strange and tragic case of Juergen Conings – the trained sniper who caused a nationwide manhunt in Belgium after stealing weapons with the apparent intention of targeting a leading virologist. Europe Editor Tony Connelly has the details.
6/24/2021 • 23 minutes, 22 seconds
Ep. 90 Afghanistan - The Third Wave
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin After 20 years of war and over half the country living in poverty, Afghanistan has been hit with a third wave - its worst yet - of Govid-19. Pandemic spoke to Rohullah Sorush of the Afghan Analysts' Network in Kabul, author of a recent detailed briefing paper on the impact of the virus.
6/17/2021 • 18 minutes, 19 seconds
Ep. 89 One Year on - Taiwan's Spike
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Having kept its death rate below 10 until March, Taiwan has seen cases of Covid-19 and deaths soar since May. One year on from our last conversation in better times, Bloomberg's Taipei Bureau Chief Samson Ellis has a detailed look at what has gone wrong.
6/10/2021 • 21 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 88 Bats, Leaks and Spooks
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Did Sars-CoV-2 leak from a lab? The WHO says it's unlikely, so why is the US President talking about this theory now? To discuss this and more, Pandemic spoke to Shane Harris, who covers intelligence and national security for the The Washington Post (and hosts the Rational Security podcast)
6/3/2021 • 21 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep. 88 Time To Waiver?
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin If delayed supplies of the Astra Zeneca or Janssen vaccines arrive when younger people still need to be vaccinated, could they sign a waiver to take them for quick access to doses? Medical law expert Simon Mills SC gives his view and looks at some other legal issues that have arisen during the course of a pandemic.
5/27/2021 • 27 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep. 87 Covid-19: The Chernobyl Moment?
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin An expert group - the Independent Panel for Pandemic Preparedness and Response - produced a blunt report on global response to Covid-19 and strong recommendations for dealing with the next pandemic. We have a detailed look at the report with panel member Dr Joanne Liu, a former president of MSF/Doctors Without Borders.
5/20/2021 • 26 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep. 86 India's Second Wave Tragedy
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin India's runaway coronavirus rates have led to scenes the WHO has described as "beyond heartbreaking". Journalist Nilanjana Bhowmick gave Pandemic an overview of how the crisis evolved and ultimately came to her family's door.
4/29/2021 • 32 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep. 85 Gaza - A Cameraman's Story
Host Colm Ó Mongáin Gaza-based journalist, producer and cameraman Fady Hanona tells Pandemic how Covid-19 and the lockdown have affected an already-impoverished Gaza strip, why vaccines are urgently needed and about the effects on his family.
4/22/2021 • 17 minutes, 42 seconds
Ep. 84 The Hungarian Paradox
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Hungary is using seven different vaccines and has given first doses to nearly half of its population. So why are case rates and fatalities still so high? Science journalist and documentary maker Kata Karáth has an in-depth look at how the country has handled the pandemic.
4/15/2021 • 18 minutes, 40 seconds
Ep. 83 After The Resolution
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Reaching conflict zones with vaccines and relief is a major international challenge. Despite its divisions, what role could the UN Security Council, on which Ireland now sits, play in the aid effort? Richard Gowan, UN Director of the International Crisis Group joins us to discuss his view on what the UNSC should do.
4/8/2021 • 15 minutes, 24 seconds
Ep. 82 The Crystal Ball
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Israel's leads the world in vaccination rates by some distance. What impact has it had? Will it roll out surplus vaccines more widely to Palestinians in the Occupied Territories under its control? Pandemic has an in-depth look at these questions and more with the defence analyst with Israel's Haaretz newspaper Amos Harel.
4/1/2021 • 24 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 81 Contract Crash Course
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Why has Astra Zeneca honoured its contract with the UK more than the one agreed with the EU? For a detailed look, Pandemic talked to Gavin Barrett, Professor at UCD Sutherland School of Law and Jean Monnet Professor of European Constitutional and Economic Law.
3/25/2021 • 17 minutes
Ep. 80 Ad Astra
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Europe Editor Tony Connelly has a detailed look at the European Medicines Agency's thumbs-up for Astra Zeneca after several countries suspended use of the vaccine due to concerns over possible links to blood clots.
3/18/2021 • 16 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep.79 Edifying Discourses
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin The contrast of the EU's vaccine programme with those of the UK and Israel is generating frustration in member states. So what's a fair assessment of the bloc's centralised procurement plan? This week Senior Fellow with the Petersen Institute for International Economics Jacob Kirkegaard gives his view.
3/11/2021 • 29 minutes, 38 seconds
Ep. 78 This Time Last Year, This Time Next Year
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Joe Biden made tackling the coronavirus a big plank of his presidential campaign - now he has the opportunity to show he can do it. Washington Correspondent Brian O'Donovan looks at the challenges facing him.
3/4/2021 • 22 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 77 "Social Murder"
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Murder is an emotive word. Could it -should it- ever be applied to policy failures in handling a pandemic? Could "social murder" be more appropriate? Kamran Abbasi, Executive Editor of the British Medical Journal, thinks there is an need for strong language, as he wrote in the BMJ. https://www.bmj.com/content/372/bmj.n314
2/24/2021 • 29 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep. 76 To Each According To Their Need
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin The WHO's Dr Mike Ryan called on rich countries to prioritise vaccinating the vulnerable in the developing world before their own younger, healthier citizens. We hear from MSF's Southern Africa Advocacy Co-ordinator on why vaccine supply has to be the right vaccine for the dominant local variant, not just any vaccine.
2/18/2021 • 18 minutes, 23 seconds
Ep 75. When EU're explaining...
The EU's approach to vaccination has attracted flak of some member states and MEP's, so European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen faced the European Parliament to explain the Commission's approach. Europe Editor Tony Connelly has a detailed look.
2/11/2021 • 25 minutes, 1 second
Ep. 74 Is Sputnik Ready For Take-Off?
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Russia's Sputnik V vaccine received a glowing review in The Lancet this week. One of the article's authors, Professor Polly Roy of London of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine explains how it works, its benefits and why her initial concerns over transparency have been addressed.
2/4/2021 • 16 minutes, 50 seconds
Ep. 73 Israel's Vaccine Scene
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Israel is rolling out vaccinations apace. Haaretz journalist Amos Harel analyses the politics, pressures and successes of the programme.
1/28/2021 • 27 minutes, 24 seconds
Ep. 72 WHO's In Wuhan
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin One year on from the complete lockdown in Wuhan, the WHO's inquiry team is in town. What can they find out? RTÉ reporter Yvonne Murray looks at the limits of the mission and China's alternative virus narrative.
1/21/2021 • 18 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep. 71 Voices From The Christmas Surge
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin In this episode we hear from Ross Galvin and Patrick Quinn Byrne - two young people infected in the latest upsurge. Both were interviewed by RTÉ's Sharon Tobin.
1/14/2021 • 25 minutes, 31 seconds
Ep. 70 Ancient Problems, New Solutions?
Colm talks to doctor, sociologist & Yale University Sterling Professor of Social & Natural Science Nicholas Christakis. His new book is 'Apollo’s Arrow – The Profound and Enduring Impact of Coronavirus on the Way We Live’ which looks at human behaviour, from our ancestors' reaction to ancient plagues, to how we are coping with Covid-19.
1/7/2021 • 17 minutes, 8 seconds
Ep. 69 Access To Vaccines
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Dimitri Eynikel, EU Policy Advisor to MSF/Doctors Without Borders Access Campaign on the need for vaccines for low and middle income countries. Also: Health Psychologist & QUB lecturer Dr Emma Berry on the findings of a survey in Northern Ireland looking at young people's compliance with social distancing rules.
12/17/2020 • 26 minutes, 15 seconds
Ep. 68 Vaccination Once Again
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Science Correspondent George Lee on the challenging post-Level 5 numbers & plans for vaccine roll-out. Also: Dr Gerald Rockenschauber, Head of the WHO in the Occupied Palestinian Territories discusses the troubling rise of the virus on the Gaza strip.
12/3/2020 • 30 minutes, 29 seconds
Ep. 67 Dr WHO
Host Colm Ó Mongáin For this episode, we're bringing you edited audio of a Q & A session for Irish journalists hosted by the Bar Council of Ireland with Dr Mike Ryan, Executive Director of the WHO. He talks about his background, looks at different approaches to tackling Covid-19, looks at the risks of gathering at Christmas and more.
11/26/2020 • 48 minutes, 35 seconds
Ep. 66 Anything To Be Said For A Mass Test?
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Guests: Prof. Louise Kenny Faculty of Health and Life Sciences at the University of Liverpool on the city's mass antigen testing programme. ÖRF Journalist John Cummins on Austria's lockdown. Also: Efforts to reduce the spread of Covid-19 have stalled - Science Correspondent George Lee has the latest.
11/19/2020 • 43 minutes, 36 seconds
Ep. 65 Slovakia's Big Test
Rob Cameron has an in-depth look at Slovakia's decision to test most of its population. Education Correspondent Emma O'Kelly has a mid-term look at how schools are coping with Covid. Also: Science Correspondent George Lee looks at the direction of Ireland's numbers and the fate of Denmark's mink.
11/6/2020 • 42 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep. 64 Long Covid Limbo & Liège
'Long Covid' and the limbo in which it leaves sufferers - we talk to Dr Elaine Maxwell, clinical advisor to the UK National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) Dissemination Centre. Also: Belgium's rapid rise in case numbers. Our Europe Editor Tony Connelly goes to the region one doctor fears could be "the new Lombardy".
10/30/2020 • 32 minutes, 48 seconds
Ep. 63 Mid-Term Bleak
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin How safe are schools? Is the contact tracing system coping with the added strain? We look at some of the answers offered at the weekly NPHET briefing and talk to Science Correspondent George Lee. Also: Journalist Michael Tatarski gives us an in-depth account of how Vietnam has kept its Covid stats low.
10/23/2020 • 39 minutes, 43 seconds
Ep. 62 Irish Peaks, Chinese Troughs
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin New Level 3 & Level 4 restrictions are in place amid troubling coronavirus statistics. Science Correspondent George Lee analyses the trends and News Reporter Sharon Tobin digs into the detail on the new measures. Also: Reporting for RTÉ from China, Yvonne Murray has an in-depth look at how the country has suppressed the virus.
10/15/2020 • 40 minutes, 33 seconds
Ep. 61 Czech Your Contacts
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin NPHET locks horns with Government over restrictions - Political Correspondent Micheál Lehane on the controversy of the week. Northern Correspondent Vincent Kearney on the growing concern in Northern Ireland Also: What happened 'the little country that could'? Rob Cameron looks in-depth at Czechia's change of fortunes.
10/8/2020 • 39 minutes, 37 seconds
Ep. 60 "There's Still Time To Turn It Around"
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers on NPHET's advice to limit contacts before it becomes necessary for further restrictions. Also: Dr Halim Boubaker, Medical Coordinator for NW Syria with MSF speaks about a rapid rise in Covid-19 cases in an area already dealing with war and acute humanitarian challenges.
10/1/2020 • 33 minutes, 35 seconds
Ep. 59 Levelling Up
Political Correspondent Micheál Lehane and Science Correspondent George Lee on the background to Donegal going to level 3. Also: Haaretz's Amos Harel has an in-depth look as Israel's second lockdown. Christian Aid CEO Rosamund Bennett outlines why Covid-19 has brought together 6 NGO's to help 7 vulnerable regions.
9/25/2020 • 43 minutes, 26 seconds
Ep. 58 Hamster Masks
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin As Dublin goes to Level 3 and public health officials ramp up concerns, Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers has a full round-up. Also, guest interviewee Monica Gandhi, Professor of Medicine at the University of California San Francisco looks at why fatality rates are not climbing in line with infection rates.
9/17/2020 • 27 minutes, 58 seconds
Ep. 57 Fears For Al Hol
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Former UK Foreign Secretary, now CEO of the International Rescue Committee, David Miliband highlights the danger of rising coronavirus cases in Northeastern Syria, where thousands of people displaced by war are packed into camps. Also: Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers has an in-depth look at the Covid-19 numbers in Ireland.
9/3/2020 • 34 minutes, 25 seconds
Ep. 56 Making Covid History
Sarah Covington, Eileen Sprague, Liza Engesser & Claire Butler tell Colm Ó Mongáin about Queens College/CUNY's oral history of Irish immigrants' experiences, incl life during the Covid-19 pandemic. More info: www.qcirishstudies.org/oral-histories www.instagram.com/irishnystories/ www.twitter.com/irishnystories www.facebook.com/IrishNYStories
8/27/2020 • 38 minutes, 44 seconds
States of Mind
Pandemic is back next week. RTÉ News US Election podcast States Of Mind heads to Delaware. Howard Dean, ex Chair of the Democratic National Committee, on healthy infighting and the party's virtual convention. Former Washington Correspondent, Robert Shortt also lays bare what conventions are really all about.
8/17/2020 • 36 minutes, 51 seconds
Ep. 55 From The Epicentre
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin RTÉ Political Reporter Mary Regan rounds up the day at the Oireachtas Covid Committee. Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers crunches the numbers. Journalist and author Anshel Pfeffer talks to Pandemic from Israel on politics and the second surge.
8/13/2020 • 37 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep. 54 From The Heart Of Seoul
Host: Colm Ó Mongáin Correspondent Órla O'Donnell has an in-depth look at the latest NPHET briefing. Also, Irish graduate Donal O'Criodain talks to Pandemic about South Korea's rigorous quarantine system.
8/6/2020 • 29 minutes, 49 seconds
Podcast: Ep. 53 A Pause
Colm Ó Mongáin gets the latest from Correspondent Sinéad Crowley in the week the lifting of phases was paused. Also: Bríd McGrath on the very locked down lockdown in Chile and the International Organisation on Migration's Olivia Headon on the thousands of Ethiopian migrants stranded in Yemen.
7/16/2020 • 41 minutes, 5 seconds
Ep. 52 Taiwan's Quiet Success
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Bloomberg Taipei Bureau Chief Samson Ellis about Taiwan's low profile success in fighting the effects of coronavirus. Foreign Reporter Jackie Fox speaks to Irish people facing into another lockdown in Melbourne. Also: Correspondent Sinéad Crowley has the latest on travel, masks and the R number.
7/9/2020 • 40 minutes, 6 seconds
Ep. 51 Hard Questions For Schools
Correspondent Sinéad Crowley gives a round up of the Department of Health briefing, including the sad news that CMO Tony Holohan is to step aside due to a family illness. Also: Education Correspondent Emma O'Kelly has a detailed look at the issues facing schools returning in the Autumn.
7/2/2020 • 30 minutes, 27 seconds
Ep. 50 The Cabinet In The Castle
Colm Ó Mongáin is joined for the half century by Political Correspondent Micheál Lehane on the latest cabinet briefing on masks, mass and more. Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers hears sobering statements at the Covid Committee. Washington Correspondent Brian O'Donovan rounds up the testing times for the US.
6/25/2020 • 32 minutes, 19 seconds
Ep. 49 The Mask
Presenter: Colm Ó Mongáin Our Science Correspondent George Lee on masks and their usage. Childcare to open at the end of the month - what are the proposals? Political Reporter Mary Regan has a look. Also: Deficiencies in Traveller accommodation highlighted by Covid-19. Tallaght Travellers Manager Patrick Nevin on past & present issues.
6/10/2020 • 46 minutes, 13 seconds
Ep.48 Restrictions Lifted And Silence Broken
Presenter: Colm Ó Mongáin. Correspondent Sinéad Crowley and Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham on some of the restrictions being lifted on Monday. Swedish Foreign Minister Ann Linde on her country's approach to Covid 19. And the children confirm they didn't smash anything.
6/5/2020 • 35 minutes, 47 seconds
Ep. 47 Mass Lockdown
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Roy O'Donovan and John Collins from the Association of Catholic Priests about funerals, ministering to the sick and life in the lockdown. Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham looks over the debate over Pandemic Unemployment Payment and easing restrictions. Also: Correspondent Sinéad Crowley talks summer camps and more.
6/4/2020 • 32 minutes, 10 seconds
Ep. 46 The App-heap Of History
Colm Ó Mongáin talks masks to Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers. Business Reporter Adam Maguire looks at contact tracing apps & the concerns surrounding them. Europe Editor Tony Connelly looks at Sweden's famous epidemiologist Anders Tegnell's admission that the country could have done better.
6/3/2020 • 29 minutes, 19 seconds
Ep. 45 Oh, Behave...
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers about the appearence of hospital consultants' representatives at the Dáil Covid Committee. Also: Dr Pete Lunn, head of the ESRI's Behavioural Research Unit on the challenges of behaviour as restrictions ease.
6/2/2020 • 35 minutes
Ep 44. Back To School?
Colm Ó Mongáin and Correspondent Órla O'Donnell discuss the latest Government briefing on schools, childcare and more. Also: Dutch journalist & author Alex Hijmans on Brazil under Bolsonaro during the pandemic.
5/29/2020 • 30 minutes, 1 second
Ep. 43 Is Anyone Responsible?
On a day when figures show Ireland to have the second highest proportion of deaths in residential care settings in the world, Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Correspondent Sinéad Crowley and Mervyn Taylor, Chief Executive of Sage, an advocacy group for vulnerable older people.
5/28/2020 • 26 minutes, 4 seconds
Ep 42. Europe's Big Fillip
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to RTÉ Europe Editor Tony Connelly about the EU's multibillion coronavirus response proposals. Tony talks to the Union's Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan about the big money plans. Also: Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers analyses the hospital numbers & more. Guest interview: EU Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan
5/27/2020 • 27 minutes, 26 seconds
Ep 41. The Covid Committee
RTÉ Political Reporter Sandra Hurley goes through key correspondence between Nursing Homes Ireland and the Department of Health and tells Colm Ó Mongáin about some of the exchanges at the Covid-19 Response Committee in Leinster House. Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers looks at some of the main issues raised.
5/26/2020 • 30 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep. 40 Dominic, Quo Vadis?
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers and Political Correspondent Micheál Lehane about the growing rumblings around the 2 meter physical distancing guidelines. Also: We give you a summary of questions from the press faced by UK PM Boris Johnson's advisor Dominic Cummings.
5/25/2020 • 34 minutes
Ep. 39 Mandatory Forms, Meditation And Money
Colm Ó Mongáin hears from Correspondent Sinéad Crowley on the new mandatory travel requirements. Agriculture Correspondent Fran McNulty shows his breadth (and breath) of knowledge on the meat industry and more. Economic Correspondent Robert Shortt looks over the debate around Ireland's borrowing.
5/22/2020 • 35 minutes, 26 seconds
Ep.38 Antibodies
Trinity College Immunologist Prof. Luke O'Neill talks to Colm Ó Mongáin about immunity, antibodies and more. Social Affairs Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely on marginalised people's experience of the lockdown. Also: Correspondent Sinéad Crowley looks over the day's discussions.
5/21/2020 • 38 minutes, 12 seconds
Ep. 37 Perfect Storm
Colm Ó Mongáin hears from Southern Editor Paschal Sheehy who reports from Cahersiveen on a controversy around Covid-19 infections in a direct provision. The Norwegian Refugee Council's Riona Judge McCormack on Yemen as it sees early fatalities from the coronavirus. Also: Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers on trends in Ireland.
5/20/2020 • 38 minutes, 2 seconds
Podcast: Ep. 36 The WHA?
Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers tells Colm Ó Mongáin about the questions asked at the Covid-19 Committee in Leinster House. Also: An in-depth look at how the WHA and the WHO became a battleground in the war of words between the US and China with Colum Lynch, Senior Diplomatic Reporter at the UN for Foreign Policy magazine.
5/19/2020 • 34 minutes, 17 seconds
Ep. 35 Queues, Clippers And Builders
Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers tells Colm Ó Mongáin about what might come up at tomorrow's Oireachtas Covid Comittee. Business Editor Will Goodbody avoids a leaf blower and takes a call from a construction site. Consumer Correspondent Fran McNulty eyes up a pair of clippers as hardware and other outlets re-open.
5/18/2020 • 33 minutes, 42 seconds
Ep. 34 Monday Measures And Mary Mother of Pod
Former President Mary Robinson talks to Colm Ó Mongáin about life in lockdown & her new Covid-19 podcast in which she examines challenges facing the world and changes needed in the current crisis Also:Correspondent Órla O'Donnell rounds up the latest briefing & Foreign Reporter Juliette Gash talks to UNICEF about the virus among Rohingya refugees.
5/15/2020 • 34 minutes, 24 seconds
Ep 33. The Meaty Education Episode
In a (slightly) longer episode Colm Ó Mongáin gets an in-depth look at the education sector from Education Correspondent Emma O'Kelly. Agriculture Correspondent Fran McNulty details the troubling level of infection among meat industry workers and Correspondent Sinéad Crowley has details of the latest briefing on testing.
5/14/2020 • 39 minutes, 23 seconds
Ep. 32 Bogus, Absurd, Offensive
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers on why children are not to be feared. Legal Correspondent Orla O'Donnell sums up the blunt dismissal of John Waters and Gemma O'Doherty's anti-lockdown High Court action. Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham outlines the European Commission's travel considerations.
5/13/2020 • 33 minutes, 2 seconds
Podcast: Ep. 31 The Swedish Model - Right For Ireland?
Science Correspondent George Lee looks at intensive care data to see if the Swedish model was a match for Ireland. Colm Ó Mongáin talks to London Correspondent Seán Whelan about the UK losing the most people in Europe to Covid-19. Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers on masks and more.
5/12/2020 • 31 minutes, 45 seconds
Ep 30. The Four Friend Conundrum
You can choose your friends - but you could make enemies if you do. Europe Editor Tony Connelly tells Colm Ó Mongáin about the social minefield presented by Belgium's relaxation of restrictions. Also: Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers on the cost of tackling Covid-19 and more.
5/11/2020 • 30 minutes, 16 seconds
Ep. 29 Leaving That Aside
We hear from the Department of Education press conference on the day the Leaving Cert was left aside and also the Chief Medical Officer's defence of advice on visiting nursing homes. Correspondent Sinéad Crowley runs through the data from last night's briefing and Washington Correspondent Brian O'Donovan hits the country roads of West Virginia.
5/8/2020 • 39 minutes, 54 seconds
Ep 28 Covid-19, Bombs Or Bullets?
Director General of the International Committee of the Red Cross Robert Mardini talks to Foreign Editor Eimear Lowe about fears for fragile countries in the pandemic. Also: Political Correspondent Micheál Lehane on how talk of tapering off pandemic payments is tapering off. Sinéad Crowley gives us an overview of last night's NPHET briefing.
5/7/2020 • 36 minutes, 52 seconds
Ep.27 Underground Stylists And Illicit Trysts
Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers updates Colm Ó Mongáin on the latest numbers, looks at some of the knock-on effects and questions about nursing homes. Also: Europe Editor Tony Connelly on a decidedly wintery Spring forecast and love's role in the fall of a senior UK scientist.
5/6/2020 • 30 minutes, 35 seconds
Ep. 26 First Steps And Wider Circles
On the day when the cocoon opens and the circle for exercise widens, Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers about the concerns of health services beyond the coronavirus and to Industry Correspondent Ingrid Miley about the impact of Covid 19 on employment.
5/5/2020 • 26 minutes, 4 seconds
Ep. 25 Mayday
Colm Ó Mongáin gets a preview of the likely easing of restrictions from RTÉ Correspondent Órla O'Donnell. Also: an in-depth interview with Nursing Homes Ireland CEO in which he details some of his organisatons outstanding questions and concerns in the coronavirus crisis.
5/1/2020 • 39 minutes, 26 seconds
Ep. 24 Known Unknowns
Colm Ó Mongáin looks at what the Department of Health says it does not know about the outbreak. RTÉ Correspondent Sinéad Crowley looks at the latest discussion in restrictions. Also: Foreign Desk reporter Juliette Gash on the WHO's call for greater efforts on public health and Germans on the lives of others.
4/30/2020 • 26 minutes, 40 seconds
Ep. 23 Speculation, Spain and Specialists
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers about the mounting speculation about restrictions being eased; Foreign Desk reporter Eleanor Burnhill hears from a Spanish parent who survived a 45-day indoor lockdown with their child and Political Reporter Mary Regan on how politicians are treating NPHET's role.
4/29/2020 • 34 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep. 22 Testing Times In (And Outside) Court
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to RTÉ reporter Dimitri O'Donnell about the ongoing challenge in the High Court to the coronavirus restrictions. Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers looks at the expanded test criteria and more. Also Foreign Desk reporter Eleanor Burnhill looks at contact tracing apps with human rights and privacy expert Carly Kind.
4/28/2020 • 31 minutes, 41 seconds
Ep. 21 Testy Exchanges
Colm Ó Mongáin gets Health Correspondent Fergal Bower's assessment of "constructive tensions" between the HSE and NPHET, nursing home concerns and infections in mental health facilities. Also: Europe Editor Tony Connelly on countries easing restrictions. We take a canter on pastures new today as well.
4/27/2020 • 31 minutes, 40 seconds
Ep. 20 Rule-bending and Earth-shaking
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Science Correspondent George Lee on seismic clues to possible breaches of the lockdown; Political Correspondent Paul Cunningham on politics in the crisis and Foreign Reporter Jackie Fox looks Ecuador's struggle to cope with the number of deaths.
4/24/2020 • 29 minutes, 30 seconds
Ep. 19 The Model, The Migrants and The Money
Colm Ó Mongáin is joined by Science Editor George Lee on the latest projections on falling infection rates; Europe Editor Tony Connelly on what's on the table in today's EU leaders' video conference & movement of EU migrant agricultural workers during the pandemic; Economics Correspondent Robert Shortt on dire Department of Finance outlook.
4/23/2020 • 37 minutes, 24 seconds
Ep. 18 "Biblical" Fallout
The World Food Programme has warned of Covid-19 increasing the risk of famine in war-torn areas of the developing world. Dr Ciara Conlon - who now works on the Covid ward of an Irish hospital, but who recently returned from Malawi - discusses the dangers with Colm Ó Mongáin. Also: Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers gives us a daily update.
4/22/2020 • 24 minutes, 7 seconds
Ep. 17 Campaigning In A Time Of Coronavirus
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Washington Correspondent Brian O'Donovan about the announcement of immigration curbs in the US and how presidential election campaigning sits with tackling Covid-19. Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers reviews the latest fatality numbers.
4/21/2020 • 28 minutes, 37 seconds
Ep. 16 What About the Children?
Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers talks to Colm Ó Mongáin about childcare for health workers, nursing homes and the next steps beyond May 5th. Northern Editor Tommie Gorman on the handling of the crisis by the Stormont Executive. Also: A quick global round-up from Cillian Sherlock from the Foreign Desk.
4/20/2020 • 39 minutes, 7 seconds
Ep. 15 Two Irelands and Wuhan Numbers
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Science Correspondent George Lee about the situation in nursing homes, testing and the next steps. Also, Foreign Reporter Eleanor Burnhill gives a global round-up with updates from Wuhan and elsewhere.
4/17/2020 • 23 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep. 14 "Catastrophe"
Colm Ó Mongáin gets a round-up of expert voices speaking about the worrying number of deaths in nursing homes and community care facilities. Also, RTÉ Science Correspondent George Lee on the good news emerging from the latest modelling projections and the worst case scenario that might have been.
4/16/2020 • 27 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep. 13 The Swedish Way & the EU's Exit Plans
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Foreign Reporter Juliette Gash looks about Sweden's approach to the crisis; Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers on nursing home plans and possible widening of testing and Europe Editor Tony Connelly on the EU's plans for the next steps (and Brexit).
4/15/2020 • 40 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep. 12 Learn To Live With It
RTÉ Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers talks to Colm Ó Mongáin about why all-island figures are problematic, the situation in care settings and the HSE stand-off with private hospital consultants. Also: London Correspondent Seán Whelan on the growing concern about statistics and care settings.
4/14/2020 • 33 minutes, 28 seconds
Ep. 11 No Magic Date
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers about two press conferences - one by the HSE and one with the Minister for Health - in which the testing, restrictions and the mathematical modelling of the disease were discussed.
4/13/2020 • 25 minutes, 36 seconds
EXTRA: The Leaving and the Lockdown
The much-anticipated extension to restrictions is announced, the provisional timeline for exams is given. Also, more about the plans to extend the testing regime and differences in the numbers of confirmed cases. Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Science Correspondent George Lee and Education Correspondent Emma O'Kelly about the latest Government briefing.
4/10/2020 • 34 minutes, 33 seconds
Ep. 10 Euro-Showdowns
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Europe Editor Tony Connelly about the last-ditch compromise on financial support for countries hit by Covid-19 and the bitter row over the resignation of a high-profile EU scientist. Also a global round-up from Foreign Desk reporter Jackie Fox.
4/10/2020 • 28 minutes, 32 seconds
Ep. 9 Where will it end?
An update on public health measures is expected tomorrow, but what will it take to lift lockdown measures? Colm Ó Mongáin talks to Science Correspondent George Lee. Also a global update from Foreign Desk reporter Cillian Sherlock, including an ugly spat between Taiwan and the WHO.
4/9/2020 • 28 minutes, 46 seconds
Ep. 8 Traveller Concerns and Shirty Europe
Colm Ó Mongáin talks to RTÉ Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers on the upward creep of numbers in intensive care units; Social Affairs Correspondent Ailbhe Conneely on Traveller concerns and Europe Editor Tony Connelly on the EU's 'coronabond' stand-off.
4/8/2020 • 27 minutes, 53 seconds
Ep. 7 Restrictions
Some countries are beginning to look at exit strategies from restrictions. What will Ireland do as we approach the April 12th deadline? Colm Ó Mongáin talks to RTÉ Health Correspondent Fergal Bowers and Jackie Fox from the RTÉ Foreign Desk. Also London Correspondent Seán Whelan reports on UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson's condition.