COVID-19 scams in Australia: The role of regulators
Following on from April’s talk on COVID-19 myths, May brought a more closer examination of these scams and the role of regulatory bodies in reducing misleading advertising from skeptic Dr Ken Harvey, the president of Friends of Science in Medicine. In such uncertain times, it’s no wonder companies are taking advantage of the confusion to trick vulnerable and uninformed customers. The Therapeutic Goods Administration has received over 500 complaints in the last couple of month
Gone Viral: Challenging some of the online myths associated with COVID-19
In keeping with social distancing regulations, April brought our first proper online meetup, with an informative and very relevant talk on debunking COVID-19 myths from Simon Leonard, an infection control nurse at the Gold Coast University Hospital, the epicenter of the crisis in Queensland. Following a detailed explanation of infection transmission and immunology, Simon provided a comprehensive analysis of a range of myths and false beliefs relating to COVID-19, beginning wi
Navigating colds, flus and other bugs: a guide for evidence based parents.
During the August's Gold Coast Skeptics in the Pub, Dr Amanda McCullough talks about the evidence behind the benefits (or lack there of) and harms of jumping straight to antibiotics for a quick cold or flu remedy. Of course there are circumstances where antibiotics should be taken, like when there is something serious going on like meningitis or pneumonia; however, in most cases of colds and flus the best remedy is waiting it out and rest. Before taking an antibiotic, Amanda