To show the extraordinary effort that goes into the fight against coronavirus, 60 MINUTES has been allowed inside an Australian COVID-19 intensive care unit.
It’s the first time any media has been given access which is because it’s one of the most dangerous places in the country. In these special wards, every day is a matter of life and death, and not just for the patients.
The remarkable health professionals trying to save them also face enormous risks. Every Aussie has made sacrifices during this unprecedented time, but as Tom Steinfort discovers, the intensive caring by medical staff in these ICUs adds an entirely new perspective to this coronavirus crisis.
Reporter: Tom Steinfort
Producers: Tracey Hannaford, Alex Bernhardt
WHO’S W.H.O?
If you’re on the wrong side of U.S. President Donald Trump you certainly know about it, and right now, the focus of his fury is the World Health Organisation. He accuses the W.H.O. of being China’s lapdog and says it’s responsible for helping the communist regime hide the true extent of the coronavirus disaster.
As punishment Trump has withdrawn American funding to the organisation. Australia too has questions about the W.H.O., specifically what it did in China and when? By comparison with the U.S. leader though, our prime minister Scott Morrison is far more diplomatic. He wants a review of the W.H.O’s role, but he’s also proposed the health body be given additional powers, including the right to forcibly enter countries to avoid repeating the COVID-19 disaster.
Liz Hayes asks the question – who exactly is the W.H.O?
Reporter: Liz Hayes
Producer: Gareth Harvey
END OF TRADE
With the coronavirus pandemic, one day is a long time. Consequently, it seems like an age has passed since Liam Bartlett reported 60 MINUTES’ first story about the disease. But it was actually only seven weeks ago when he went undercover at an Asian wildlife market; one of the very kind where it’s believed today’s deadly virus originated.
His report from Bangkok was not only watched by millions of people around the world, it forced an extraordinary response. Thai authorities raided the market, shut it down, and took the animals they found to safety.
This week the Australian agriculture minister David Littleproud demanded further international action, calling these types of markets a risk to human health and food production.
Reporter: Liam Bartlett
Producer: Gareth Harvey
CHILD’S PLAY
Everyone knows how successfully Kim Kardashian has proven that you don’t need any particular ability to be famous. She’s so good at the art of being a celebrity, she has 164 million followers on Instagram as well as another 100 million or so on Facebook and Twitter.
And what follows followers is money. Heaps of it. It’s a financial carrot that guarantees a plethora of Kardashian wannabes, many of whom are mini-moguls. As Sarah Abo reports, just like the child movie stars of a bygone era, it seems you’re never too young to start posting in search of fame and fortune.
Reporter: Sarah Abo
Producers: Nick Greenaway, Madeleine Apps
