DoctorB

16 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

Huh?

What end in sight? 

 

COVID era gonna be with the world for quite some time to come. 

There does seem to be slight shift in mindsets and whatnot these days - instead of fighting it, accept it and get on with our lives. 

 

This acceptance and living with it is beginning to be promoted by respected scientists, thinkers and the like. 

Surely, not the most popular notion. Hence, why we don't hear/read too much of such "mad talk".

The "mad talk" is promoting the idea that zero covid is possible and achievable by taking away peoples freedom, destroying the economy and reducing everyone to penury. And those freedoms will probably never be returned in full. As one commentator remarked, "power is a ratchet, not a pendulum"; ie, once taken it is tightened, not returned.

16 hours ago, zzaa09 said:

The world over is obsessively consumed with these official and unworthy numbers. 

 

Actually in 18 months of relentless daily reporting in the UK the number of recoveries has never been highlighted. Presumably because it would counteract the fear messaging and give people a sense of optimism. All credit to this guy then for stressing the positive. At least it gives hope.

16 hours ago, internationalism said:

if the passing by drivers would just ignore those 58 year old antics, she would go to her own car in no time.

Exhibitionists thrive on attention of spectators. I would also think she was coming back home from the last night party, probably under influence, hence traffic accident.

I don't think that at 7am on Sunday there are many cars on the road

You really do not have a great deal of charity, do you? Perhaps the lady had mental health issues. Don't be so so quick to judge. You have no evidence the she was either a drunk or an exhibitionist.

15 hours ago, internationalism said:

Allowing tourists to roam 12mln capital city is a risky step. Authorities have said earlier mamy times, that because of importance of bangkok tourists won't be allowed 

Given how few tourists there are likely to be, the strict testing requirements prior to flying and on arrival, and the rate of infection already prevalent in Bangkok, the tourists are unlikely to add much to the risk level; a bit of a drop in the ocean. At least the tourists will be vaccinated and have some protection from the locals.

16 hours ago, Mickeymaus said:

I think it is understandable that entertainment venues are still closed. They are the most risky businesses in respect of Covid transmission. If they open them then the fight against Covid will be officially over. 

Hardly. How many Thai people regularly frequent entertainment venues; particularly if they have to work? Covid is being spread by the normal daily human interaction involved in shopping, working and everyday life. The SkyTrain is probably far more dangerous than any well managed restaurant or bar. Lockdowns are one of those seemingly bright ideas that in reality achieve little in the long run while being weapons of economic mass destruction.

6 hours ago, chickenslegs said:

Have you looked at The Post Office travel insurance? If you have no health issues you can get an instant quote online.

https://www.postoffice.co.uk/travel-insurance/single-trip

75 year old, no health issues, 2,000,000 GBP cover from 134 GBP for 1 month (125 GBP excess).

Thank you for that; it was very helpful However, it still leaves a problem for anyone wanting to stay on a retirement visa. As far as I can see non of the approved companies on the official list are prepared to issue new policies to the over 70s, thus excluding many of the the very retirees the O-A and O-X visas were intended to attract. Can any one advise where an annual policy is available in Thailand for the over 70s, preferably at a price that isn't bankrupting? 

6 hours ago, NanLaew said:

For elective surgery in the UK, yes but emergency surgery is still in place and busy.

But there is real concern about the increasing delays in diagnosis, even for potentially serious conditions such as cancer. And without prompt diagnosis there will be no surgery. Also the latest news is that basic blood tests are having to be put off due to a failure to obtain the necessary sample tubes. The NHS so often seems to be on the edge of disaster.

4 hours ago, AgentSmith said:

It depends where you're from I guess. For me it's perfectly possible to be insured for a reasonable amount no matter how old I get. I know 'old' people who sorted all this out just fine.

I'd be interested to know where and how. I'm UK resident, admittedly in my 70s but with no significant health issues and recently sought a number of quotes from UK companies for a 3 month trip. They typically came in at around £1,200. You may consider that reasonable but for most people £100 per week is expensive.

2 hours ago, AgentSmith said:

When will people start getting some common sense and arrange for proper insurance? 

How many times do people have to say it? Once you reach that age health insurance is either impossible to get or incredibly  expensive. Common sense doesn't come into it. It's really a choice of setting aside emergency funds or staying home; and forget about an O-A or O-X visa with their mandatory insurance requirements.

1 hour ago, Albert Zweistein said:

Why would that finish him off ? I remember not so long ago some limey guy on here was brawling about the UK health care being the best in the world.

Then the limey guy must have either been an idiot or a long time abroad. You can't  even get a face to face with a primary care doctor (GP)  since covid started and hospital waiting lists are running up to a year or more.

On 8/30/2021 at 9:26 AM, ThailandRyan said:

Of course I can see your complaining about the complainers and I am taking the bait and posting against my better judgment.  If the Emergency decree is lifted then CAAT should be lifting the ban on International flights into all of the country in my view, but then with Thailand being on the Red list and at Level 4, and the UK citizens dashing back home to avoid an expensive quarantine this past weekend, how will this all play out.   

The greatest UK demand probably comes from the retired, semi retired or self employed who can come for Christmas and stay from the end of November to the begining of March. It is almost impossible to anticipate what absurdities the UK government could come up with in the intervening period and so becomes an exercise  in personal risk management. I suspect many would go for it if only Thai entry restrictions were eased somewhat and international flights were reinstated. 

12 hours ago, onekoolguy said:

This article says that unemployment was 1.06 percent in the first quarter and if not opened it might go to 2.5 percent by the end of the year?

anywhere else those figures would indicate an overheated booming economy?

There must be something that I don't understand?

In a country without any form of organised social security if you don't work you don't eat, so everyone has to do something, even if it's only collecting empty bottles and cans. Pre covid it was noticeable how many people were out and about doing something at all times of the night or day.

God love us! It must be fun to be in Pattaya just now with the boys in brown rushing round busting people right and left and the usual sanctimonious keyboard blowhards egging them on. And it will achieve little or nothing in the long run. How nice to be in London having a pint with a friend.

13 hours ago, internationalism said:

They would be transferred to hospitel, which are expensive in comparison to SHA+, in the range of 40k for a 2 weeks stay. Hospitels are not covered by covid insurance. And after completion they would be, most likely, turned back home.

 

 

I don't understand a word of that. I thought the whole point of the mandatory covid insurance was to cover the cost of hospital treatment. If not, what is it intended for? Secondly, what does , "they would be... turned back home" mean? Are there cases of people being deported as a consequence of being hospitalised for covid? Could someone please elucidate for me? 

7 hours ago, PETERTHEEATER said:

No mention of changing the gauge from 1 metre which has to be a major factor in the selection of locos and rolling stock. My advice....stick to the Space Programme.

Absolutely! You can't run a high speed rail system on meter gauge.

5 hours ago, Paul Henry said:

My understanding is that the Australian international border is still closed except in a very few cases. ie.

Compassionate grounds, I am sure the 361 Australians would not class themselves as tourists as the Australian Federal Govt would not let them out or back into the country.

A friend returning from Oz to Pattaya reported that it was not particularly difficult to get permission to leave. He had to give a reason, (in his case to deal with a financial matter, so not on compassionate grouns), and promise to stay away for at least 3 months. Not a tourist by the usual defintion; just a regular keen to get back to his condo.