Siouxsie Wiles

Siouxsie Wiles: Tested negative? You still have to follow the rules

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In the second in our new video series 60 Seconds with Siouxsie, Dr Wiles has a message for anyone who has tested negative for the coronavirus: you’re not off the hook yet. In this video, made possible by the support of Spinoff members, Siouxsie Wiles explains why testing negative for Covid-19 doesn’t make you immune … Read more

The Bulletin: Contest of ideas over Covid-19 future

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Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Political positioning intensifies over post-Covid future, decision coming on whether to leave lockdown, and schools and ECEs in spotlight. ‘Don’t politicise the crisis’, came the calls. Well, that’s out the window now. As the lockdown inches closer to a possible end (more on that later) we’re … Read more

Siouxsie Wiles: Is it OK to meet up with your neighbours down the driveway?

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Launching a new series, 60 Seconds with Siouxsie, the inimitable Dr Wiles has a few sharp words for anyone thinking they might catch up with neighbours for a drink or a chat, even at a couple of metres apart. In our first video, made possible by the support of Spinoff members, Siouxsie Wiles has a … Read more

Siouxsie Wiles: On Covid-19, we have to build the plane as we fly it

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Siouxsie Wiles on the vitriolic correspondence she’s received since the Covid-19 outbreak struck, and the realities of communicating evidence. I recently received an email and text from someone telling me they are planning to email my boss, the University of Auckland vice chancellor. They are going to ask for me to “be brought before the … Read more

Siouxsie Wiles & Toby Morris: A note on apartments and bubbles

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About those handles and rails and communal areas … The Spinoff’s coverage of the Covid-19 crisis is only possible because of the support of members. If you can, please consider joining Spinoff Members here. As Aotearoa enters week two of lockdown, it’s clear we’re all still working out what our “bubbles” look like and how … Read more

Covid-19: The Siouxsie Wiles and Toby Morris gifs now in te reo Māori

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Our Covid-19 gifs are now available in te reo Māori. Spread the word (while staying at home). The suite of excellent illustrations and gifs created by microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles and illustrator Toby Morris have had an undeniable impact during the Covid-19 crisis. They offer clear communication of sometimes complex concepts, and their popularity has seen … Read more

The Bulletin: A question of fairness

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Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: Pulling the threads of fairness in a crisis, state of national emergency declared, and case numbers top 200. New Zealand is now officially in a state of lockdown, with level four restrictions coming into place at midnight last night. There are plenty of pieces of news … Read more

The Bulletin: Message to NZers overseas changes – seek shelter, not passage home

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Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: MFAT advice to NZers overseas changes, parliamentary scrutiny to continue amid adjournment, and an essential piece to read on the shutdown rules. As of yesterday, the message to New Zealanders overseas has changed. Last week, foreign minister Winston Peters warned those who wanted to return that … Read more

The Bulletin: Daily life to change with new Covid-19 alert system

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Good morning and welcome to The Bulletin. In today’s edition: How the new alert system will work, dozens of new cases announced over weekend, and a great idea from several Wellington hotels.  How will day to day life change with the new alert system aimed at combating Covid-19? To put it bluntly, it will have to … Read more

TVNZ 1’s Covid-19 special showed the power of legacy media during crisis

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An unscheduled Covid-19 special ran in place of Seven Sharp last night, and Duncan Greive says it brought out the best in both its participants and the medium itself. Over the past decade there has been an inexorable gravity sucking us toward social media. Young men, whipsmart and in a hell of a hurry, created … Read more

The Unity Books bestseller chart for the week ending 20 March

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We’ll get to the Top 10s in a minute but first a note on cleaning books, from Dr Siouxsie Wiles: “I’d say wiping covers is a good idea, and just making sure to wash your hands after you’ve been reading a book others have used is the way to go. Infection mainly requires repeated close … Read more

After ‘Flatten the Curve’, we must now ‘Stop the Spread’. Here’s what that means

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We must act quickly, with no half-measures. Dr Siouxsie Wiles explains why, with illustrations by Toby Morris. The Spinoff’s ongoing expert-led, evidence-based coverage of Covid-19 is funded by Spinoff Members. To support this work, join Spinoff Members here. Spinoff cartoonist Toby Morris and I recently introduced you to the concept of #FlattenTheCurve. Now we want to … Read more