A spectacular stoush over schools

Editor's note

One of the most contentious aspects of the management of the coronavirus pandemic – whether to open schools – burst into a spectacular stoush yesterday when federal Education Minister Dan Tehan accused Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, whose government has been the most conservative on schools, of a “failure of leadership” on the matter. Michelle Grattan writes that it was not Tehan’s finest hour, and after a phone call from the prime minister, he issued a statement admitting his frustration had led him to “overstep the mark” with his criticisms of Andrews. It is, of course, state governments that control public schools, not the federal government.

Once again, Grattan writes, the Morrison government has had to bow to state opinion, and this time it’s been embarrassing. In fact, as Chris Wallace explains, Australian schools have long been caught up in ideological warfare as part of political efforts to capitalise on the anxieties of parents wanting the best for their children.

Amanda Dunn

Section Editor: Politics + Society

Science + Technology

Dinner to die for: how fish use their spines to fend off hungry seals

David Hocking, Monash University; Felix Georg Marx, Te Papa Tongarewa; Silke Cleuren, Monash University; William Parker, Monash University

This new study describes an unlucky fur seal found with severe injuries, revealing how predators sometimes pay the ultimate price for their food when targeting dangerous prey.
What dreams may come: why you’re having more vivid dreams during the pandemic

Rosie Gibson, Massey University

At times of anxiety and trauma an increase in unusual or vivid dreams and nightmares is not surprising.

Arts + Culture

Great time to try: knitting your first woolly scarf

Emily Brayshaw, University of Technology Sydney

The enduring popularity of knitting lies in its practicality, portability and mental health benefits. As the mercury drops and we head outside for bracing walks, it's time to knit a woollen scarf.
Dying old, dying young – death and ageism in the times of Greek myth and coronavirus

Chris Mackie, La Trobe University

Perceptions about coronavirus "only killing old people" highlight the ageist way we sometimes refer to death and dying. Greek myth shows this isn't new and ancient plays laid out the distinction.
Where there’s smoke: seeing sex in Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Susan Potter, University of Sydney; Clara Bradbury-Rance, King's College London

Portrait of a Lady on Fire plays with cinematic conventions and anticipation of lesbian sex on film. Director Céline Sciamma offers a sophisticated take that is both explicit and elusive.

Business + Economy

Post-coronavirus, we’ll need a working tax system, not more taxes and not higher rates

Neil Warren, UNSW; Richard Highfield, UNSW

We are failing to collect and giving away in tax concessions hundreds of billions.
How I wrote and published a book about the economics of coronavirus in a month

Joshua Gans, University of Toronto

The feedback form regular readers was better than the feedback from professional economicsts.
Why the Reserve Bank should fund super funds during the COVID-19 crisis

Kevin Davis, University of Melbourne

It is normally a bad idea to let super funds borrow, but these aren't normal times. There's a (limited) case for allowing them to borrow from the Reserve Bank.

Health + Medicine

These 4 diets are trending. We looked at the science (or lack of it) behind each one

Clare Collins, University of Newcastle; Lee Ashton, University of Newcastle; Rebecca Williams, University of Newcastle

Reverse dieting, GAPS, HCG, IIFYM. These might sound like meaningless acronyms, but they're actually some of the latest trending diets. Unfortunately, there's little evidence to support any of them.
No wonder isolation’s so tiring. All those extra, tiny decisions are taxing our brains

Ben Newell, UNSW

Is it safe to nip out for milk? Should I download the COVIDSafe app? Is it OK to wear my pyjamas in a Zoom meeting? All these extra decisions are taking their toll.
While we wait for a coronavirus vaccine, eating well, exercising and managing stress can boost your immune system

Julia J Rucklidge, University of Canterbury; Grant Schofield, Auckland University of Technology

Eating healthy food, exercising regularly and reducing stress are all measures we can take to stay as healthy as possible to fight off infection while we wait for a coronavirus vaccine.
What is sentinel surveillance and how might it help in the fight against coronavirus?

Nic Geard, University of Melbourne; Jodie McVernon, University of Melbourne; Katherine Gibney, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity

Testing and isolating cases only after they develop symptoms might not be enough to prevent further outbreaks of COVID-19. Sentinel surveillance, by testing randomly in the community, can go further.

Cities
We’ve had a taste of disrupted food supplies – here are 5 ways we can avoid a repeat Kimberley Reis, Griffith University; Cheryl Desha, Griffith University; Paul Burton, Griffith University After the brief shock of food insecurity in the form of empty supermarket shelves, we might start thinking about having a Plan B and C based on local food sources and shorter supply chains.

Politics + Society

View from The Hill: Yes, we’re too dependent on China, but changing that is easier said than done

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

The call to examine Australia's dependance on China has also brought to light, in a dramatic fashion, the full extent of China's diplomatic behaviour
Review of COVID restrictions brought forward, as government urges COVIDSafe download

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

National cabinet has agreed to bring forward its review of COVID restrictions by a week to next Friday, but more downloads of the app are needed. “Australians have earned an early mark through the work…
Road crashes, assaults and being spat on: the dangers facing Australian police in the line of duty

Kelly Hine, Australian National University

The recent tragic deaths of four Victorian police officers have highlighted the dangers to those whose job it is to protect the community.
VIDEO: Michelle Grattan on the Eden-Monaro by-election, the success of the coronavirus app, and Australia-China relations

Michelle Grattan, University of Canberra

Michelle Grattan talks with Assistant Professor Caroline Fisher (remotely) about the week in politics.
Cook commemorations are mute on intimate encounters and their profound impact on Indigenous women

Katie Pickles, University of Canterbury

Captain Cook's sailors traded nails for sex, but the history of intimate encounters and their impact on women throughout the Pacific is still largely ignored.
Religious groups are embracing technology during the lockdown, but can it replace human connection?

Anna Halafoff, Deakin University; Enqi Weng, Deakin University; Gary D Bouma, Monash University; Greg Barton, Deakin University

Google searches for the word "prayer" have skyrocketed during the coronavirus pandemic. With the world feeling vulnerable, more people are finding solace in online religious gatherings.

Environment + Energy
Curious Kids: have people ever seen a colossal squid? Culum Brown, Macquarie University Colossal squid have eyes the size of soccer balls, and can weigh up to 700kg. That's a lot of calamari!

Education
If COVID-19 is a national emergency, can the federal government take control of schools? Matt Harvey, Victoria University The federal government is trying to entice independent schools to open by offering them advance payments. But do they have powers beyond enticement with which they could control state schools?