The Skeptic Zone #656 - 9.May.2021

0:00:00 Introduction Richard Saunders 0:04:00 Letter to the Editor A follow up to a story we mentioned a few weeks ago where a letter to the editor was published in the Byron Bay Echo newspaper. This week we feature the response from skeptic Ken McLeod. Just who is this mysterious midwife who is complaining about COVID-19 vaccinations? 0:10:20 Crazy COVID-19 Claim You will not believe the crazy claim the Australian government has had to rebut on their official COVID-19 website. Joining Richard to discuss this foolishness are Adrienne Hill and Leonard Tramiel. COVID-19 vaccines do not - and cannot - connect you to the internet. Some of the mRNA vaccines being developed include the use of a material called a hydrogel, which might help disperse the vaccine slowly into our cells. Bioengineers have used similar hydrogels for many years in different ways. For instance, they've used them to help stem cells survive after being put inside our bodies. Because of this, some people believe that hydrogels are needed for electronic implants, which can connect to the internet. https://www.health.gov.au/initiatives-and-programs/covid-19-vaccines/is-it-true/is-it-true-can-covid-19-vaccines-connect-me-to-the-internet 0:26:00 Australian Skeptics Newsletter What skeptical news has caught the eye of Tim Mendham this week? http://www.skeptics.com.au 0:33:44 A Dive into a Trove A wander through the decades of digitised newspapers on a search for references to the The National Centre for Science Education and Dr Eugenie Scott. Also Corona Conspiracy - Upload Images https://coronaconspiracy.cloud https://pintofscience.com.au Pint of Science is back! After the success of last year's festival (moved online at the very last minute) Pint of Science AU 2021 will run completely online again, with a range of new and improved activities. Our talented team has spent the last few months brewing up a variety of ways to enjoy a pint of science via video, social media, and across the airwaves. There will be even more ways to participate, with a mixture of pre-recorded and live events, including our wildly popular Pint of Science Trivia. With so much on, we decided to extend our run for two whole weeks, and we can't wait. Hope to see you there!