Media Briefing/Press Conference
From: Australian Science Media CentreBACKGROUND BRIEFING: Wet and wheezy winter
ONLINE BRIEFING – Wednesday, May 31 2017 at 10:00 AEST
With winter officially kicking off this Thursday, it’s time to bundle up and grab that lovely cuppa by the fire. Join us as four experts give an insight into the upcoming weather, how it can affect our hearts and lungs, why are our houses so cold, and what bugs are lurking around the country.
The briefing will discuss the following issues:
- Are we in for a wet and windy winter?
- What does climate change means for the season?
- How does the weather affect our respiratory system?
- Why is cold weather a such a danger here compared to countries like Canada and Sweden
- Are our houses too cold?
- What bugs are floating around this year?
- Should we get the flu jab?
SPEAKERS:
- Dr Andrew Watkins Manager of Climate Prediction Services, Australian Bureau of Meteorology
- Lorcan Ruane Resident Medical Officer, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital
- Professor Adrian Barnett Senior Research Fellow, Institute of Health and Biomedical Innovation (IHBI), Queensland University of Technology
- Professor Robert Booy Professor of infectious diseases at the University of Sydney, the Head of Clinical Research at the National Centre for Immunisation & Surveillance
BRIEFING DETAILS:
DATE: Wednesday 31 May 2017
START TIME: 10:00 AEST
DURATION: Approx. 45 min
VENUE: Online
JOINING ONLINE:
Journalists can follow the briefing online via audio and video streaming. Each presenter will speak for 5-7 minutes followed by questions. Journalists will have the opportunity to ask questions online.
1. Go to the briefing web portal by clicking here 5 minutes before the start time or anytime during the briefing. Alternatively go to Scimex.org and follow the links.
2. Enter your name and email address.
3. Click "Join".
(System requirements: You will need a broadband connection and speakers/headphones to hear the event. Allow 1-2 mins for your computer to be configured correctly, install ActiveX, if asked)
PHONE ONLY ACCESS:
1. For phone only access please call: 1800 049 813.
2. Enter access code 579 171 055#. When prompted for an attendee ID, just press #.
Radio stations can also record the briefing over a phone line. If you would like to make sure that you can connect, please contact us to arrange a quick test before the day.
If you have any problems joining the briefing online, phone Webex on 1800 12 92 78 quoting event number 579 171 055.
Audio files will be posted as soon as possible after the event.
For further information, please contact the AusSMC on 08 7120 8666 or email info@smc.org.au.
Date issued: 29 May 2013 AEST = Australian Eastern Standard Time
NB: The AusSMC generally runs two different types of media briefings:
NEWS BRIEFINGS – new research or data will be released as part of the briefing
BACKGROUND BRIEFINGS – experts discuss an issue which is in the news or an issue we consider newsworthy, but no new research or data is being released
