Kelsall

Bloomberg:  Tax the poor so they can't afford to buy sugary drinks.

They certainly need this big new hospital and maybe a cemetery nearby.  From the article:

• Self-proclaimed medic filmed three corpses unattended in a hospital corridor
• In a post, she accused authorities of covering up the truth of the epidemic
• She claimed doctors refused to issue diagnoses to control the official figures

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-7924805/Chinese-nurse-claims-dead-bodies-left-unattended-Wuhan-hospital.html

OP:  "Democrats use words of Trump allies against him in impeachment trial"

Well, whatever words the Dems are using, they're boring the <deleted> out of everyone, including Bernie...

"Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT), forced to stay off of the campaign trail due to the Senate impeachment trial of President Trump, is reportedly struggling with boredom and has been spotted yawning, “shuffling in his chair,” and reading the back of a tin containing what appeared to be lozenges throughout the hours-long process".

https://www.breitbart.com/politics/2020/01/23/bored-bernie-sanders-struggles-with-boredom-during-senate-impeachment-trial/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook

26 minutes ago, bkk6060 said:

Unfortunately, the Chinese seem to be nose pickers, sneeze and often cough with no coverup.

Lots of Chinese will be here this New Years weekend.

 

I am wearing a mask and avoiding Maya/Nimman area, all the other malls and any of the tourist spots.

 

Maybe a waste but at least an attempt to avoid possible exposure.

I'm doing the same.

2 minutes ago, URMySunshine said:

He called it 'free WeChat' in my conversation so it is no doubt as you say. Uncensored was his point I think and therefore deemed to be one yardstick of testing the temperature of true public feeling. Of course the internet is very bad in amplifying news feed without analysis or context and if I was locked down with food shortages and panic buying I would no doubt be angry and afraid.  With what we know so far the Chinese authorities seem to be doing the best they can maybe partly down to the amount of criticism they received for their handling of SARS.

 

So long as they dont cover stuff up, and release info in a timely manner, I won't criticise them over stuff this time. Because contrary to the wording some articles will no doubt use when taking a blame angle, I don't think there are any countries that could manage to suppress an outbreak of a new infectious respiratory disease if it develops the ability to spread between people with ease. We never have managed such a thing before, to my knowledge. But you still have to try anyway because if it turns out to not be such a good spreader, but is rather deadly, then control and containment may be viable, and the stakes are different.

"the best they can" isn't good enough.  See post #34.

6 minutes ago, pgrahmm said:

Of the 8 people outside of China with the virus - Thailand has 4 (50%)....Small sample size that could also turn huge = beware.....

Also, this.

Here's some insight into why the Chinese authorities are now taking drastic action.

"Infected people seen 'dead in streets' in quarantined Chinese virus city"

https://www.dailystar.co.uk/news/world-news/infected-people-seen-dead-streets-21345585

"Dr. Jatuchai Maneerat, public health doctor and Dr. Sumet Ongwandee, director of Chiang Mai disease control department held a press announcement to confirm the patient boy to be affected by the new virus."

https://www.chiangmaicitylife.com/citynews/local/new-patient-suspected-of-new-corona-virus-found-in-chiang-mai/

Also there is this from a US passport holder...

1 hour ago, Kelsall said:

And 11 hours later they are restricting travel, having quarantined the city of Wuhan.

 

Good move and I hope it's not too late.

This is, though, good news for those of us in Chiang Mai.  We have direct flights from Wuhan to here.  Shutting them down just ahead of CNY should make all CM residents feel better.

Sounds like they're not handling this well at all.  The aftermath of CNY here in Thailand will reveal how well China is handling this.

"The Communist Party’s affirmation the spread of the virus was under control followed officials in Japan, Thailand, and South Korea all confirming infections".

https://www.breitbart.com/national-security/2020/01/20/china-says-no-need-to-panic-as-deadly-virus-goes-international/

2 hours ago, NadiaSania said:

Thank you for answers!! I will try to register myself as possessor and pay the fine before getting elite sticker. Flying out is the option but TM30 needs to be done anyway as I understand.

Off topic, but how long did it take from when you filed the application to when you received your approval letter?

Thank God we don't live in a borderless world.  Those exhibiting symptoms can be stopped at.the.border and quarantined.

6 hours ago, Max69xl said:

"Now he must suffer the consequences" Which consequences except a s**tload of money at the airport and a stamp in the passport? Please don't mention the Elite Visa. There are very few foreigners on Elite Visas in Thailand. 

This got me to wondering how many.  You are right.  According to a publication to which we cannot link, as of the end of September last year, there are about 8500 members in a little over 120 countries using the TE card.  In the whole scheme of things, that's not very many.

An agent told me last week the processing time is now about a month for US passport holders.

On 1/17/2020 at 7:31 AM, ubonjoe said:

It depends upon your nationality. It can take up to 2 months for those from countries that take a long time to get a background check done.

Do you know what type of home country background check they do?  Normally I would expect a credit check to start, but I saw no place for my US SSN.  Also, fingerprints are required for an FBI criminal record check, but of course fingerprinting is not required to apply for TE visa.

Last week my visa agent in Chiang Mai told me I would need a statement for the last 12 months even though I use the 800k method.  They explained CM Immigration now requires the statement to ensure that people have kept their balances above the 800k/400k minimums during the previous year. Fixed rate account.