Coronacast

This is a recording of a show Hannah and Tilly hosted on hospital station, Radio Chelsea and Westminster on Friday 19th December 2025, to bring in some festive cheer. After a long break, we wanted to check in with our Coronacast listeners. If you would like to get in touch, the best way is via Hannah's substack: substack.com/@hannahcomelately. We would love to hear from you. And we will be doing more radio and podcasting in 2026.

Welcome back! And Happy New Year!!! Bring on 2021! We are so happy to be recording again. In this episode we are discussing the new and all-important VACCINES. Tilly asks Hannah popular questions about the vaccine such as how it works, how safe it is and whether it will still be effective with the new strain, amongst lots of other things. This was recorded shortly before the Oxford Vaccine was approved so whilst all the information given is accurate, there is now a lot more to talk about in terms of the Oxford Vaccine and about the way ahead, which we will do in future episodes. We hope you enjoy listening as much as we enjoyed recording and if you have any questions, comments or positive news to share, find us on twitter and instagram @thecoronacast or email us on [email protected]. Enjoy and stay safe!

Dr Jenny Judge, a forensic psychiatrist in the NHS, tells us about her personal experience of coronavirus over the last 14 weeks.  She continues to suffer severe symptoms, from racing heart to crashing fatigue and burning skin, along with 30,000 other people in the UK who are thought to have post-covid syndrome.  She has not yet been able to return to work, and underlines how important it is for doctors to know about this condition, so that patients like her can be understood and taken seriously, and urgent research can be carried out into the underlying causes and potential treatments for this debilitating disease.Jenny Judge on Twitter: @jenny_j_1Articles in the BMJ by Professor Paul Garner (Twitter @PaulGarnerWoof)https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/05/05/paul-garner-people-who-have-a-more-protracted-illness-need-help-to-understand-and-cope-with-the-constantly-shifting-bizarre-symptoms/https://blogs.bmj.com/bmj/2020/06/23/paul-garner-covid-19-at-14-weeks-phantom-speed-cameras-unknown-limits-and-harsh-penalties/Dr Jake Suett (Twitter @jakesuett), letter to his MP and news article:https://twunroll.com/article/1274321467279388673https://news.sky.com/story/long-term-covid-warning-icu-doctor-reports-having-coronavirus-symptoms-for-three-months-12014361Article by writer Sophie Wilson (Twitter @sophiewilsonuk):https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/amp/entry/coronavirus-symptoms_uk_5ed67b7dc5b68a110026c36a/Facebook support groups:Covid UK Long Haulershttps://www.facebook.com/groups/1190419557970588/Covid-19 Support Group (have it / had it)https://www.facebook.com/groups/CV19supportgroupPetition for Clinics in all Major UK Hospitals for Covid Long Tail Sufferershttps://www.change.org/p/the-nhs-ceo-s-and-uk-government-set-up-clinics-in-all-major-uk-hospitals-for-covid-long-tail-sufferers

Professor Anthony Costello, global health expert and key member of the Independent SAGE committee, is the very special guest on this episode. London GP Hannah Harris and daughter Tilly talk to him about all the current coronavirus issues including the Government’s handling of the crisis, how to make a success of track and trace, and whether we will see a second wave.They also discuss Public Health England’s recent report on the disproportionate number of BAME deaths, as well as the questionable accuracy of COVID-19 tests.Professor Costello is frank about how deaths could have been significantly reduced in the UK if the Government had acted faster, and he evaluates the decision-making that has led to our current position.This episode is produced by documentary film maker and photographer Harry Winteringham: www.harrywinteringham.ukMore about Independent SAGE and its membership: www.independentsage.org, also Professor Costello's Twitter: @globalhlthtwitPlease subscribe, follow, rate, review, send questions, comments or feedback to [email protected], or find us on Twitter and Insta @thecoronacast. Thank you!

We talk to Raz Shaw, a director whose theatre productions in Manchester and London are highly acclaimed; he won Best Director in the UK Theatre Awards in 2016 for his play WIT starring Julie Hesmondhalgh, and his first musical The Producers featured in the Guardian's top ten shows of 2018. He has also written a book, Death And The Elephant (How Cancer Saved My Life), about battling a gambling addiction having been diagnosed with cancer when he was in his 20s. We talk about all of this with Raz in this episode, as well as how it feels to be on the coronavirus high-risk shielding list and his three months of enforced isolation . We hope you find it as fascinating and heart-warming as we did.This episode is produced by Harry Winteringham (documentary film maker and photographer: www.harrywinteringham.uk), in collaboration with Russ Williams from Pod and Chips.Raz's book:https://www.amazon.co.uk/Death-Elephant-Cancer-Saved-Life/dp/1783524774

In this episode, we are joined by Esh Alladi who is an actor and A&E doctor who has been working on the frontline throughout the last few months. He tells us about his life and work, how he has managed to juggle and succeed at both careers. We also touch on the current political situation and the importance of humility in politics, as well as medicine.Esh's show Fear Fatigue will be on BBC4 tomorrow night (Thursday 28th May) around 10pm. It is part of a series of 14 digital plays called Unprecedented: Plays from the State of Isolation. They will also be available on BBC iplayer:https://theatreweekly.com/how-to-watch-headlong-and-century-films-unprecedented-on-bbc-iplayer-as-full-schedule-announced/https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000jjh3

Dr Jonathan Round, a paediatric intensive care consultant at St George's Hospital in London tells us about how coronavirus is affecting children, possible treatments, as well as the far-reaching impact of the pandemic on medical education and the NHS as a whole. He also reassuringly puts things into perspective by placing this pandemic in the context of human history. And Tilly talks candidly about how the virus is affecting her personally. Thank you as ever for listening. Please like, follow, subscribe, rate, review. Email [email protected], insta and twitter @thecoronacast

We talk to two of Tilly's friends from Brit School, who are now at two leading drama schools in London, and having to take all their summer term classes online, on zoom. They give us a unique insight into how it feels to learn acting in a remote situation, while paying full tuition fees, and how that feels for their future, as actors and theatre-makers.We also reveal Tilly's SUPER power! Her incredible knowledge about all things DOG. Breeds, characterics, pros and cons... Who knew she had all this in her head! And we talk about lockdown... Should we lift it or not?Please send in your opinions and questions to [email protected], or find us on Insta and Twitter @thecoronacast. Thank you for listening!Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Disco Fridays:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w_aemmfnbPY

Our special guest this episode is Professor Beate Kampmann, a paediatric infectious diseases specialist and immunologist from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She treats us to a detailed and fascinating interview about how coronavirus affects children, the virus's unusual qualities, the race to find a vaccine, and her incredible work in the Gambia. It was a privilege and a pleasure to have this conversation with her and we hope our listeners enjoy it as much as we did.

Our guest this episode is David Ganly: actor, writer, musician and all round artist extraordinaire. He tells us what it was like when he had to shut down his West End show as lockdown began. And we share thoughts and feelings about what the future holds for actors and theatre-makers in this time of uncertainty. There's a lot of positivity here and we hope you find it enlightening, comforting and fun.David's play, On Blueberry Hill by Sebastian Barry:https://standpointmag.co.uk/issues/april-2020/infectious-enthusiasms/The transparent facemasks:https://www.designboom.com/design/student-creates-transparent-masks-deaf-hard-of-hearing-04-08-2020/The bus stop of children's art in Turnham Green:https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/london-bus-stop-art-gallery-children-coronavirus-a4426056.html

Our special guest this episode is the inspiring emergency medicine doctor Kelly Ameneshoa, who works in a busy London A&E department. She talks candidly about the key issues we face right now, including PPE, the large and disproportionate number of black and minority ethnic people affected by coronavirus, and community volunteering. Kelly also tells us what it was like to have the virus herself. Please follow, subscribe, rate, review, and send any questions, comments or feedback to [email protected]. Notes this episode: The Quarantine Creations project mentioned by Tilly https://www.instagram.com/5ASideTheatre/ The hospital treating all BAME staff as vulnerable is Somerset Foundation Trust in the West Country https://www.hsj.co.uk/workforce/trust-treating-all-bame-staff-as-vulnerable-and-at-risk/7027500.article Gareth Malone's Great British Home Chorus https://www.greatbritishhomechorus.com/

In this episode, we talk all things art and isolation with the wonderful Karen Ashton, founder of the Art Car Boot Fair. And Dr Hannah answers an important question about what parents should do if their child falls ill. Producer Russ also gets involved, telling us about the solace he's been taking from birdsong on his sunny spring walks.OpenDemocracy article: New evidence of child deaths linked to 'stay at home' COVID warnings: https://www.opendemocracy.net/en/opendemocracyuk/exclusive-new-evidence-of-child-deaths-linked-to-stay-at-home-covid-warnings/Karen's top art picks (as mentioned on the pod):* Art Car Boot Fairhttps://www.instagram.com/art_car_boot_fair/?hl=en* Keith Tyson: Isolation Art Schoolhttps://www.instagram.com/isolationartschool/?hl=en* Susie Hamilton: Dog-drawing workshophttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HwIQS4JLxWw&feature=youtu.be* Tracey Emin: Lockdown diary on White Cube instagramhttps://www.vogue.co.uk/arts-and-lifestyle/article/tracey-emin-white-cube-diary* David Hockney: the arrival of spring in Normandyhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-52109901* Gemma Peppe: Art on a Postcard, Art on a Podcasthttps://artonapostcard.com/pages/art-on-a-podcast* Matthew Burrows: Artist Support Pledgehttp://www.matthewburrows.org/home* Jeremy Deller: Thank God for Immigrants poster (proceeds to refugee and food bank charities)https://www.instagram.com/p/B-rmudml2i9/?hl=en* ICA daily newsletterhttps://www.ica.art/ica-daily* Hayward Gallery: Among the Trees playlisthttps://www.southbankcentre.co.uk/blog/playlist-among-trees* Tate Modern: Andy Warhol exhibitionhttps://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-modern/exhibition/andy-warhol* Kristjana S Williamshttps://trendland.com/mythical-world-collage-kristjana-s-williams-london/* Whitechapel Gallery bloghttps://www.whitechapelgallery.org/about/blog/Russ's birdsong app: Birdnet UKhttps://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=de.tu_chemnitz.mi.kahst.birdnet&hl=en_GB

In this episode, we talk to personal trainer Gaby Browne who gives a moving account of how her life has been transformed during the coronavirus crisis. As her business slowed down, she applied for a job in a local funeral home, and says it has given her a refreshing perspective both on the pandemic and on the end of life. Her words are surprisingly positive and comforting in these difficult times.

We talk with Dr Ben Ford in more detail about coronavirus in intensive care, organ support and what it means, also the importance of advanced care planning. And some light relief: the rise of the pub quiz.Dr Rachel Clarke's excellent article:'Do not resuscitate' orders have caused panic in the UK. Here is the truthhttps://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/08/do-not-resuscitate-orders-caused-panic-uk-truth Twitter @doctor_oxford

We debate opening windows, the controversial topic of facemasks, and hear from 83-year-old family friend Gloria Jenkins in Cardiff about how she is coping with self-isolation.Links and references:National Theatre Live (youtube and free!)https://www.youtuTristan Barlow and Agi Katz Yoga Dynamicshttps://www.facebook.com/tayogadynamics/Articles about facemasksMichael Klompas et al: Universal Masking in Hospitals in the Covid-19 Era. New England Journal of Medicine, 1 April 2020https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMp2006372?query=featured_coronavirusKa Hung Chan, Kwok-Yung Yuen: COVID-19 epidemic: disentangling the re-emerging controversy about medical facemasks from an epidemiological perspective. International Journal of Epidemiology, 31 March 2020https://academic.oup.com/ije/advance-article/doi/10.1093/ije/dyaa044/5813980?searchresult=1To help stop coronavirus, everyone should be wearing face masks. The science is clear. Article by Jeremy Howard, University of San Francisco https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/apr/04/why-wear-a-mask-may-be-our-best-weapon-to-stop-coronavirusRoman Wolfel et al: Virological assessment of hospitalized patients with COVID-19. Nature, 1 April 2020https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2196-xVideo by Nobel-prize winning virologist Harold Varmushttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OSz5Gr7gG0&feature=youtu.be

We look at active ways to overcome pandemic fears and anxiety, by turning your mind to more nourishing ideas, and we talk to yoga instructor Ciara Watson, who has rapidly transferred her yoga studio online to comply with social distancing rules.Our references:COVID-19 Symptom Tracker apphttps://covid.joinzoe.com/Joe Wicks onlinehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAxW1XT0iEJo0TYlRfn6rYQJane Fonda workoutshttps://www.janefonda.com/workout/The Yoga Mela - Ciara Watsonhttps://www.theyogamela.london/Happy Not Perfecthttps://happynotperfect.com/Headspacehttps://www.headspace.com/Insight Timerhttps://insighttimer.com/meditation-appNational Theatre Live (youtube and free!)https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUDq1XzCY0NIOYVJvEMQjqwRadio Times - radio play competition (sorry deadline has closed for this one)https://www.radiotimes.com/news/tv/2020-03-23/bbc-scriptwriting-competition/The Artist's Way by Julia Cameronhttps://www.waterstones.com/book/the-artists-way/julia-cameron/9781509829477Cariad Lloyd on The Two Shot Podcasthttps://twoshotpod.podbean.com/e/tsp075-cariad-lloyd/Julie Hesmondhalgh on The Two Shot Podcasthttps://twoshotpod.podbean.com/e/tsp089-julie-hesmondhalgh/Jameela Jamil - Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/p/B-SiOACDxrR/How the Pandemic Will End - Ed Yong, The Atlantichttps://www.theatlantic.com/health/archive/2020/03/how-will-coronavirus-end/608719/

We hear from some of Tilly's friends about their experiences and coping mechanisms, and discuss ideas to combat anxiety and actively manage your mental health in this age of uncertainty.Articles  Tchiki Davis: Think Positive: 11 ways to boost positive thinkinghttps://www.psychologytoday.com/gb/blog/click-here-happiness/201803/think-positive-11-ways-boost-positive-thinking  Podcasts Elizabeth Day: How to Fail featuring Mo Gawdathttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/special-episode-how-to-fail-mo-gawdat-on-how-to-cope/id1407451189?i=1000469228528 Dolly Alderton: Love Storieshttps://soundcloud.com/user-892136004 Fi Glover and Jane Garvey: Fortunatelyhttps://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/p04x5pd7 Craig Parkinson: Two Shot Podcasthttps://twoshotpod.podbean.com/  Books Tracy Chevalier: A Single Threadhttps://www.waterstones.com/book/a-single-thread/tracy-chevalier/9780008153816 David Nicholls: One Day https://www.waterstones.com/book/one-day/david-nicholls/9780340896983 

In this episode, Tilly and Hannah answer more questions and interview Dr Ben Ford, an intensive care doctor, about his experiences on the frontline and the importance of self-isolation to halt the spread of coronavirus and protect the vulnerable.

Tilly and Hannah talk more about Coronavirus, how it makes us feel, and how it will impact our everyday lives.  Thank you for listening.  Please send us any thoughts or questions: [email protected]

In this pilot episode, Hannah and her daughter Tilly introduce themselves and talk about some of the coronavirus basics.Please send all your questions, comments and feedback to [email protected].

Welcome to the trailer of Coronacast - everyday answers to your everyday questions.