GeorgeCross

9 minutes ago, bkkcanuck8 said:

According to research (chinese scientists / WHO) the SARS-CoV-2/COVID-19 (virus/disease) can last for 2 days on surfaces at 37C.  SARS and MERS have much lower R0 which made them easier to contain.  MERS is primarily (and maybe only) contracted through camel fecal matter. 

 

There are 4 strains of Corona viruses that make up around 20% of the annual colds. 

 

Influenza virus is more averse to temperatures and yet Indonesia (comparable climate to Thailand) had 1.5 million deaths from the Spanish Flu (H1N1) in the fall wave of 1918.  That was in a time when when people were not as mobile.. which I believe was around the average mortality rate (10% of infected died - 30% of the world population were infected - again limited mobility at the time). 

 

Air Conditioners lowering temperatures and reducing humidity are in common use around Thailand -- especially in urban areas - transit/office/condos/shopping centres.

this is what worries me about corona:

https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3074351/coronavirus-can-travel-twice-far-official-safe-distance-and-stay

i think this is why its so contagious

panic buying at makros in bangkok today - wife showed me the images and stories on kapook earlier - looked like USA

highly suggest a makro run tomorrow if you are partial to the odd can of sardines or dried noodles!

On 3/13/2020 at 3:04 PM, ukrules said:

We also had a senior Royal visitor in Hua Hin last Wednesday which was the day they were doing the tests.

 

Have they done any roadside tests since then? I haven't seen any.....

that would explain it. very considerate to reach out and make sure we were all healthy

not seen any since then either

4 minutes ago, DannyCarlton said:

If by experts on one side of the planet you mean virtually every accredited expert and on the other side of the planet you mean ai Anutin, builder and self confessed dickwad, fine, up to you if you want to go with the dickwad. Don't forget to dispose of it and use a new one after every use though or it may do you more harm than good.

nah i was listening to experts from china and korea, you know the only 2 countries to beat the virus back

dont take diet advice from fat basttards dude

and on that note i'll wrap this up from me, wear one, not wear one, no worries, up to you

4 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

another expert yesterday said masks can make it worse with the bacteria that grow. A guy turns up in a bar yesterday sweating profusely wearing a cheap mask, he takes it off and there is a wif in the air, probably the bacteria and sweat in the mask. Good luck with wearing it

well you can't fix stupid i guess - in a bar during a pandemic with a dirty mask on

as it looks like there is a split between the benefits of wearing a mask from the experts (for clarity i'm going N95 here) depending on which side of the planet you ask on, i'm going to go with the time honored plus or minus points to make my decision:

pros: they work and could save my life and those of my loved ones

cons: they dont work and i may look like a prat to some know it all in tescos

yeah i think i'll leave mine on, i've got thick skin 

7 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

social distancing is the way to stop the virus. if everyone stayed home the pandemic would end sooner.

that is what i am doing. 

18 minutes ago, NCC1701A said:

why is anyone allowed to go to nightclubs or bars? everything non essential should be closed.

wow that cold you had last week really shook you up eh?!

7 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Recommendation from the experts not you is not to wear one unless you have symptoms, people like you are jointly responsible for the shortage incl at Bangkok airport

err the guy on the video IS THE EXPERT

Quote

Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH

Director

 

Dr. Osterholm is Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, a professor in the Technological Leadership Institute, College of Science and Engineering, and an adjunct professor in the Medical School, all at the University of Minnesota. From June 2018 through May 2019, he served as a Science Envoy for Health Security on behalf of the US Department of State. He is also on the Board of Regents at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

He is the author of the 2017 book, Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs, in which he not only details the most pressing infectious disease threats of our day but lays out a nine-point strategy on how to address them, with preventing a global flu pandemic at the top of the list.

In addition, Dr. Osterholm is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and the Council of Foreign Relations. In June 2005 Dr. Osterholm was appointed by Michael Leavitt, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to the newly established National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity. In July 2008, he was named to the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center’s Academy of Excellence in Health Research. In October 2008, he was appointed to the World Economic Forum Working Group on Pandemics.

15 hours ago, Mavideol said:

we really have to wonder what they have been hiding from us, Prayut & his gang use to say that all was under control, we kept complaining/posting about the borders/flights not being closed/cancelled and their answer always the same... All under control, but for the past 3-4 days things made a big turn and all of a sudden Thailand government is taking drastic approach and making drastic decisions, implementing quarantine.... what's going on ? why the drastic change in attitude

IMO they found the perfect scapegoat

12 minutes ago, MR1888 said:

I'm due to fly into BKK from UK on Wednesday.  As UK has now been added to the level 2 list of countries yesterday, there is guidance and the requirements to report your health condition/temperature twice daily by app seem pretty clear for the self monitoring aspect. 

However, can anyone clarify on the following requirement

"The travelers from areas with ongoing local transmission must notify the disease control officer about the places they visit so that a surveillance officer can closely monitor their movement and contacts" 

How is this going to be monitored? Is it purely informing them what hotel or city you are staying in or are we going to have to submit a comprehensive list of every mall, bar and restaurant you've been in every day? 

theres gonna be some long lists of bars and brothels from our 2 week millionaire friends 

6 minutes ago, spiekerjozef said:

No more Thai soap opera? ????

or 'Thai Fight' ????

meanwhile the adults in the room (the british) cancelled elections for a year without a wave of screaming, mass panic, cries of dictatorship or other such 'dramas'..

sounds like the floodgates are breaking chaps

maybe time to hunker down for a bit

8 minutes ago, potless said:

Great idea. An official picks up the virus from one infected foreigner then passes it on to all the other foreigners on his visiting list.

why is it that we can so easily find the holes in these well intentioned plans that the locals just can't seem to pick up.. thats what post #2?!

28 minutes ago, webfact said:

Officers will also check on those already on the island, but these arrivals will not have to self-quarantine themselves

looking forward to my daily visit even if i haven't been home in 12 years

we'll do the check through the gate and in the sun yeah?

3 hours ago, tgw said:

the public's reaction to Covid-19 is certainly disgusting.

they all go like mindless fools stock up on toilet paper and food, buying shelves empty, selling off stocks like there is literally no tomorrow, all because of a contagious flu with a slightly higher mortality rate.

Covid-19 panickers: I hate you.

oh dear.. 23% down, hungry AND a <deleted>ty ass

maybe next time you'll listen to the naysayers when they say:

"he who panics first, panics best"

????????????

8 hours ago, webfact said:

Markets suffer record meltdown as global coronavirus alarm grows

just getting started

don't jump back in just yet ????

32 minutes ago, drbeach said:

Why are foreigners (particularly westerners) still visiting this racist country? Didn't they get the message? Wait for this crisis to end and Vietnam Airlines taking over from THAI's dominance and there will be few people left coming to Thailand, other than a few backpackers who will use it mainly as a transit point, since Thailand's geographical position makes it almost necessary to pass through, if you're wanting to travel between say Myanmar and Laos/Cambodia. Once the Lao-Burmese border checkpoint opens to travelers, this may change though.

maybe because of this:

Quote

“You are at risk of being put into quarantine or instructed to self-isolate for 14 days even after you have arrived in Vietnam if you either develop flu-like symptoms, or it is suspected you have been in contact with some who has tested for coronavirus. There are also increased restrictions on British nationals wishing to visit Vietnam.

“From 12 March, Vietnam has suspended its visa waiver programme for British nationals. There are reports that e-visas have also been suspended and the Vietnamese embassy in London will not be processing visa applications until further notice.

“The Vietnamese embassy in London say that it is possible to get a visa, but there is uncertainty around the replacement process and timeline for such applications.”

The statement added that British citizens are “strongly advised” to familiarise themselves with these risks before travelling.

So far, 10 British citizens are among those who have tested positive for the virus.

src: guardian virus live page