Q+A: Aug 26

Virginia Trioli hosts Q+A live from Melbourne this week.

This week Q+A puts young people front and centre – on the panel and sending in questions from around the country.

The Delta variant is radically changing the face of COVID and we’re seeing a rising number of infections in children and teens.

Schools have become the new battleground, with outbreaks among students across states and exams delayed or cancelled. In Melbourne, playgrounds are closed and a curfew is back in place, as part of stricter lockdown measures.

The Federal Government has announced that all people aged 16 to 39 will be eligible for a covid vaccine by the end of August, however many who are keen to be immunised still face a long wait.

Is it time to reconsider the focus on vulnerable adult groups? What are the particular needs of young people when it comes to vaccine access and information? How are the ongoing lockdowns in NSW and Victoria affecting school and university students? And what about those young people losing their jobs and career paths due to COVID? Are we giving young people enough of a say in all this?

Guests:
Norman Swan, Aus. Research Alliance for Children and Youth and Coronacast presenter
Anthea Rhodes, Paediatrician and child health researcher
Fiona Russell, Paediatrician and epidemiologist
Petria Houvardas, Year 12 student from Sydney
Arth Tuteja, Year 11 student from Melbourne

Thursday, August 26 at 8.30pm AEST.