Covid and its Consequences: What Have We Learned?

Covid-19 is no longer making many headlines but its impact is very far from over.

According to a recent study, in 2022 Covid was responsible for 10,000 deaths in Australia and was a factor in 3,000 more. Indeed, Covid-19 was "the third most prevalent cause of death in 2022, after heart disease and dementia and above stroke and lung cancer".  There were already 5,000 Covid deaths by September of this year.

According to the Convenor of the Ideas and Society Program, Professor Robert Manne AO: "At a time when the Albanese government has announced an inquiry into the lessons learned during the pandemic, we have decided to convene our third event on Covid and its consequences.

"For this discussion, La Trobe University is extremely well-credentialled.

"Recently a groundbreaking international study showing a genetic component in susceptibility to Covid was published in the prestigious academic science journal, Nature. One of its lead authors was Professor Stephanie Gras, a researcher at La Trobe's Institute for Molecular Science. She will be a member of our panel.

"Another panel member will be La Trobe's Dr Sarah Annesley, who is conducting a study into Long-Covid, an often extremely debilitating condition that, astonishingly enough, affects some ten per cent of those infected by the virus.

"As Covid seems certain to be with us for many years to come, an understanding of Long-Covid is of vital importance for the future health of all societies.

"The third member of the panel will be Professor Michael Toole of the Burnet Institute. Anyone who watched our first two Covid events will be aware of Mike's ability to present a wide-ranging and lucid overview of the effects of Covid-19 on the health of our community, and careful advice on how Covid can be best contained.

"Once again, La Trobe University's Associate Professor Deb Gleeson has generously agreed to moderate the discussion.

"This will be the last Ideas and Society event introduced by our Vice-Chancellor, Professor John Dewar AO, before he concludes his tenure at La Trobe. For the past decade he has offered the Program greatest support. I am exceptionally grateful to him."

This panel is online. It will be held on November 29 from 5.00 pm to 6.30 pm.

For all interested in the medical, social and individual consequences of Covid, this discussion promises fresh perspectives and genuine illumination.

Host: Associate Professor Deb Gleeson

Department of Public Health, La Trobe University

Speaker: Professor Stephanie Gras

National Health and Medical Research Council Senior Fellow

Speaker: Professor Michael Toole AM

Associate Principal Research Fellow, Burnet Institute

Speaker: Dr Sarah Annesley

Tracey Banivanua Mar Senior Research Fellow, Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory Head

School of Agriculture, Biomedicine and Environment