rabang

it is not just "my opinion". Although official numbers from Russia can not be trusted, many independent surveys and credible estimates indicate that a majority or at least a very large proportion of Russians support the war and Russian imperialism, especially those that rely on the state television propaganda. I recommend to watch the Youtube channel 1420 by Daniil Orain to get an authentic impression of their opinions.

Any variant circulating in China will no doubt circulate everywhere soon no matter what. It is like trying to stop the wind.

Majority of Russians support the war and Russian imperialism nevertheless, even if the decision was made in a small circle.

Majority of Russians support the war. They have a collective responsibility, it is not only Putin's war. If they achieve something in Ukraine they will continue the same way.

Who might those be? It is not fiction but the measures have been wrong and vastly oversized.

As a matter of fact I am starting to hope that way too and might take some action myself before that happening, although it is difficult to see so far ahead in the future.

Oh, people die. Stop the press.

My personal covid experience was like a strong flu or cold and a very mild cold (second time). Move on with your lives, people.

True, but when panicky Peters and Paulas raise their voice the governments might in a populist move try all sorts of circus acts.

Fear is a strong addiction. No amount of testing will help for that.

I am also disappointed in Mike's reaction as he tends to speak sense and keep his head cool especially considering covid. What the hell are people thinking they can achieve with more restrictions, testing etc.? Haven't people learned already how harmful and eventually useless those measures are? It is not like the virus will be contained in one single place. Thailand has probably millions of cases every day already. Japan, USA and a few other countries are doing it clearly for political reasons, especially in Asia. First it is for Chinese visitors and next for everyone else. It looks like the same madness is spreading again. We need to stop before it even begins!

Funny how the virus seemingly can see one's passport and decide then how lethal and contagious it should be.

Not a fan of China but this is as it should be for all nations. Please no more covid restrictions, tests etc. They do more harm than good.

I am sitting on a fence and so far I have decided not to return to Thailand mainly due to this reason as well.

China seems to prepare for a long closure. I have read reports that the covid infrastructure is in place to stay for a few years at least and the contracts of personnel responsible of taking care of covid related tasks have been extended by a couple years. Not sure how reliable this information is but nothing suggests any big easing of restrictions happening any time soon.

Some people just don't get it. Shortening the war in favor of Russia would just facilitate genocide.

Is that Putin speaking? What would that reaction be exactly?

Well said. I think I will travel to Thailand this winter for the first time since early 2020 but I have to take this into consideration and probably make my stay shorter than otherwise. I just feel the masks give a very unpleasant vibe to a place, at least that was my impression in March 2020 in TH and then later in my country when masks became common from around mid-2020 until the beginning of this year. Now it is six months since they disappeared and life has felt normal. Even Asian people don't seem to wear them anymore, except for an odd tourist. Even if I don't have to wear a mask myself, and I won't, masses of faceless people will IMO reduce the quality of life considerably. Just my feeling, no need to argue about it. What about other countries in the region, are they still equally mask obsessed? Outside of Asia the use of masks has nearly vanished for the most part I guess. Unless they are mandatory masks tend to disappear elsewhere, so there is something culturally particular about them for Asian people in general.

You must be a fortuneteller.

I was too pessimistic a year ago but still much closer to the truth than those who thought this vaccine/testing/masking etc. bs would go on forever.

Probably the UK population of over 65-year olds that is millions of people larger than the equivalent age groups in Thailand despite the two countries' almost identical population sizes. Nevertheless using this as an argument for the mask use in the current situation in late 2022 is not valid anymore. Thailand and its mass mask usage is every day a more rare exception worldwide. There is no reason for it anymore. How refreshing and beneficial for one's mental health it has been to stay and travel in Europe this summer and being able to see people's faces...

The true figure is much bigger, especially in the omicron era. I have had it twice myself and haven't been included in any statistics.

Twice now. Like a bad cold and then a very mild cold. I don't really pay attention to the virus itself anymore but I do follow the restrictions and reactions around the world.

No, I never claimed that to be case but explained how it is possible to do extended stays despite not being a retiree or something similar.

I work online with my own business, so I can go pretty much where ever I want to if I have the necessary infrastructure (reliable and decent internet etc.). And no, I am not some poor ass "digital nomad". I know a few other professional people with their own businesses working at different fields who are also able to stay overseas permanently or at least for prolonged periods.