The Friday Wire: 27th of March, 2020

This week on the Friday Wire... 

Lillian steps in for Laura this week as the news team works from home...

First up, Sam Denne has created a bit of an experimental piece talking about the challenges that Covid19 can present for our mental health, particularly in this rāhui period. 

Next, Louis Laws speaks to Otago University lecturer Dr. Shyamal Das on a community-led solution and his research in respiratory drug delivery.  Dr Das is the person who created, along with his students, 100 litres of hand sanitiser over three days so that the essential services on the university campus would not take away from the public stock of hand sanitiser. Also the leftover of that 100L the university didn’t need went to Dunedin hospital. 

Then, Jack Marshall, former Green Desk host, speaks with Gisborne mayor, Rehette Stoltz to give us some insight on what it is like to lead a city under lockdown. 

Finally, Laura Kvigstad has her weekly chat with National’s Denise Lee. This week they chat about Denise's volunteer database, where people in her community are delivering goods to those who may not have internet access. Then they chat about the potential for a grand coalition amongst these unprecedented times. Lastly, they discuss the protections put in place for renters and some of the concerns that renters may have amongst these uncertain times.