asiacurious
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Posts posted by asiacurious
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Bloomberg has an excellent article up now. Well worth a read. https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-05-19/some-vaccines-help-nations-exit-the-pandemic-faster-than-others
The TL:DR is:
- mRNA vaccines (Moderna and Pfizer/ BioNTech) appear to prevent the spread of Covid by those who are vaccinated (which helps with achieving herd immunity).
- Adenovirus vector vaccines (AstraZeneca) and inactivated virus vaccines (Sinopharm and Sinovac) DO NOT appear to prevent the spread of Covid by those who are vaccinated. Vaccinated people appear to be mostly protected from severe illness or death, but they can still get sickand importantly, can still spread Covid.
From the article:
In countries such as Israel, new Covid cases are declining as vaccinations spread, while in other places like the Seychelles -- which has fully inoculated more of its population than any other nation -- infections continue to increase or even reach new highs.
SNIP
Evidence derived from the expanding global inoculation rollout indicates that the messenger RNA shots developed by Moderna Inc. or Pfizer Inc. and BioNTech SE are better at stopping people from becoming contagious, helping reduce onward transmission -- an unexpected extra benefit as the first wave of Covid vaccines were intended to stop people from becoming very sick. Other vaccines, while effective in preventing acute illness or death from Covid, appear not to have this extra perk to the same degree.
The article also includes this chart:
The article also discusses what has happened in the Seychelles, where even though 65% of the population has been vaccinated (40% with AstraZeneca and 60% with Sinopharm) new weekly infections have dramatically increased. 37% of the new infections are with people who have already had two doses of either AZ or Sinopharm. However the article notes that that these vaccinated people who have gotten sick have only experienced mild symptoms.
This demonstrates that the AZ and Sinopharm/Sinovac types of vaccines do save lives and are probably worth getting it that's all that is available, but they won't have the same level of protection or the same benefit of allowing for herd immunity.
Here's a second important quote from the article, which should be kept in mind....
“I would be careful about over-interpreting the data,” said Petrovsky at Flinders University, who points out that no head-to-head studies -- where shots are tested against each other -- have been performed to identify the best vaccines. For the mRNA shots, “data on their effects on transmission is very limited.”
As I said, the whole article is well worth a read.
Here are a couple of mirrors of the article published in other papers (the article is syndicated). They may not include the full original article or charts, but are useful if you've hit your Bloomberg paywall limit:
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8 hours ago, Bruno123 said:
So what happened?
So.... I called AIS and they said they could extend the rate for another 6 months. It took only asking once, no need to try and persuade them. However the new extension date did not appear in the AIS app by the next day and I ended up going in to a shop. When they looked at the account they saw that I had called, but could not see any extension. It took a few minutes but they got it applied. Everyone (on the phone and at the shop) were super helpful.
Thank you to everyone for the advice!
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Ugh. There is very little science behind anything you read in the Thai press. If the toilets were a source for the spread - and that is certainly possible - it is much more likely it was from aerosol transmission.
Apologies if someone already posted this link, but....
Probable Evidence of Fecal Aerosol Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in a High-Rise Building
The presence of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in fecal material has raised the possibility of viral transmission via a fecal–oral route. This study investigated whether SARS-CoV-2 transmission via fecal aerosols in the drainage pipe system may have been the cause of COVID-19 infection in a cluster of 3 families living in a high-rise building in China.
In the case of the mall, the pipes weren't needed. If an infected person uses a public toilet to poop, that would be enough for aerosols to remain suspended in the air for the next few hours. And since people seem to enjoy using their phones while they sit for extended times - even in public restrooms (which is disgusting).....
Covid's a good reason to - if you have to use a public toilet - go in, do your business, and get out as quickly as possible.
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1 minute ago, pixelaoffy said:
18-59? What about 60 +
They were in the old plan, that planned to have 60+ sign up and plan for their vaccinations in the future. But that plan didn't work so well because not everyone could sign up. Seems like the plan now is to scrap that plan and plan around it with a new plan so they can plan for people to plan their vaccines once the vaccines arrive according to the planned timetalbe.
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If you aren't familiar with it already, you might want to check out https://pcpartpicker.com/list/ You can spec out a custom system using whatever components you want and it'll show you if parts are/aren't compatible.
For example, you can search for a CPU and filter for specific brands and those with integrated graphics. These are the top 4 Ryzen CPUs with integrated graphics....
After adding the first one, you can then select other options....
I'd probably do the case next, as that'll determine what kind of motherboard you can use. But as an example, here I've clicked on Motherboard and you can see there is a filter box that is checked by default and only shows motherboards that are compatible with the CPU choice....
It'll pull prices from Amazon by default, but if you create an account, you can set the location/currency to Thailand and it'll show you prices in THB from Newegg (if Newegg has the item). Or you can add your own custom prices for each part....
Anyway, you get the idea. It's a very useful site for doing a custom build of any type (power user, gamer, or a casual user like you)!
Oh, and you can share a public link to system builds you spec out, if that's your thing!
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20 minutes ago, Bruno123 said:
As I told you, call centre. If they can extend it you don;t have to go anywhere. If not possible, new 50 baht SIM and apply USSD code for unlimited 10 Mbps for 300 baht or unlimited 4 Mbps for 200 baht or unlimited 2Mbps for 150 baht.
I'd be ok with 10Mbps for 300/month via USSD code, but I haven't found anything close to that online (other than buying through Lazada which I've already had a bad experience with before). But if you can share those codes, I'll pick up a new SIM tomorrow.
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23 minutes ago, Bruno123 said:
Seems you don't want to comprehend. Call centre, not shop. Service centre maybe; but best with call centre. Shops don't have more power than a call centre; they just have physical product.
So if it can be done, the call centre can do it. If they need to issue you with a new SIM, they will send you to a service centre and put a note on your account.
Stick with AIS if you are happy with the performance.
No, I did comprehend. The reason I would chose to go in to a shop is that there are True and Dtac shops right next door. Not really to use the ability to go with a different provider as a leveraging tactic (though there is always that potential), but more to just have the ability to actually go to another provider and get whatever looks best.
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1 hour ago, Bruno123 said:
Similar deal is available for 300 baht per month or 2200 baht for 12 months. Unlimited data capped at 10 Mbps. New SIM only. Though if you are a fairly long term customer, the call centre has the ability to apply a similar package to your existing SIM.
I may go to an AIS shop tomorrow to see if they can extend. Unfortunately I've only been with them for a year. Was with True prior to that. If they offer an extension, even if it's for a bit more, I would do it.
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1 hour ago, Ralf001 said:
Am interested to know more details about the OP's unlimited deal for Bt200.00 a month, thats cheap !
Yeah, very cheap. The 200 baht included VAT too. They stopped offering it around June of last year. Each month I'd get a text message reminding me to top up....
This month I got....
I suppose all good things come to and end.
Before I did that package I had tried a True SIM via Lazada - one of those pay once, get unlimited for 1 year things. Cost was about 2000 baht if I recall. It didn't work. Spent a lot of time dealing with the seller and True and in the end the seller did a refund. So I'm a bit hesitant to try that again.
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I've had an unlimited prepaid data plan with AIS (cost 200thb/month) for the past 16 months and the plan expires in a week or two. Does anyone know of any similar such plans currently available?
I'd like to stay with AIS but I can switch to True if there's something good that they offer. (Dtac doesn't work well in my area.)Thanks!
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What struck me the most from the video was the reading of the suspect's rights. It was almost word for word the Miranda warning given to arrestees in the US. Right down to the bit about If you cannot afford a lawyer, one will be appointed. Do they really appoint attorneys if you can't afford one in Thailand? Or did they do a google search for what to say in English when arresting someone?
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10 hours ago, Caldera said:
The "dramatic" increase today was due to finally including prisoners in the tally.
I think there won't be another amnesty, unless numbers go way up or there's an outbreak among immigration officers themselves.
Sorry, I didn't mean yesterday's big one day jump because of the two prisons. I meant the steady increase (without any subsequent decrease after a pseudo-lockdown was imposed) over the past 4-6 weeks.
However, since you mentioned it.... That one day jump from the two prisons raises the question: What other clusters of infected people continue to be hidden from public view?
Yesterday the government listed these major clusters in Bangkok....
Today there is news that 65% of workers tested positive at a construction workers camp on Chaeng Wattana Road! (196 of 300 people.) They've said they'll test another 500 today and another 300 tomorrow.
Why stretch out the testing like that, if not to soften the daily numbers?
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With the number of Covid cases dramatically increasing, should the Thai government reintroduce a Visa Amnesty policy like they put in place early last year when cases were far fewer than they are now?
It would seem to be much safer for foreigners and Immigration officials alike, if people weren't crowding at immigration offices to apply for Covid extensions every two months.
Thoughts?
Also, if anyone has gone to any of the larger Immigration offices over the past couple of weeks to apply for an extension, how busy has it been? Is Immigration taking any extra precautions to prevent transmission?
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59 minutes ago, Nanaplaza666 said:You'r an american when you hold an American passport and has nothing to do with voting or paying taxes . They should help all their citizens .
America land of the free , but if you don't pay taxes or vote you are not alligable to get vaccinated .
You are correct. All Americans abroad should be able to receive the vaccine whether or not a person is required to file or pay taxes. The "taxing paying American" can be seen as shorthand for "vaccines purchased using tax dollars for the stated purpose of vaccinating all Americans."
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4 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:1) The exact number is unknown. Could be at least 25,000?
2) US Embassies, in order to enter, have probably the tightest security protocols. "A big tent"? On Wireless Road?
1. Sounds about right
2. Not on Wireless Road. On the grounds, either embassy or residence. Passport check, metal detector check, go to the tent to get your shot. No reason the tent can't be separated from the other buildings by a fence.
4 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:3) Appointment system? How long is the wait now for s simple service at the US Embassy or Consulate. For passport renewals the US Embassy has been pushing mail in in order to discourage people from coming to the embassy for in person services
4) Nothing is "easy" when it comes to anything involving the US Embassy
3. Not going IN to the embassy, just on the grounds to a tent. Easy to set up an appointment system for vaccines separate from everything else. Hell, work with an app like ZocDoc (our countless others) to handle vaccine appointments.
4. I agree with you there. But then, nothing has ben easy (or normal) about this pandemic. Not normal that emergency use of vaccines was approved this quickly, or that the US Government (and all those who pay US taxes) is funding the full cost.
4 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:5) Military Medics? From where? The nearest US Military base with medics is probably in Japan or S. Korea. The embassy reports to the State Department and Military Medics are under the control of the Defense Department. This would require cooperation between DOS and DOD(sometimes not so much)
5.) I admit, it would have been a tough sell to get anything like this done under Trump. But under Reagan, Clinton, Bush (either one), Obama, or Biden? Not an issue.
4 hours ago, sqwakvfr said:6) Local Nurses? How would the Thai Government feel about that?
7) The odds of an Embassy that charges $50 for a Notary stamp and no longer issues income letters taking on this type of mission is Slim and none.
6. Pretty good if the US also donated surplus vaccines. (Hmmm.... Have any other countries donated vaccines?)
7. Alas, I think you are all too correct in your assessment. I won't hold my breath. But I also won't stop advocating that it should be done and can be done.
None of this is difficult. It's just a question of the government making the decision to do it.
13 hours ago, Misty said:Should be a cakewalk for a country that can organize Cobra Gold in the middle of a pandemic.
Yep!
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8 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:Why do Americans think their Embassy is a hospital.
What a silly question! Sort of like asking, "Why do Americans think their Embassy is a law office or bank?"
Simple answer to both questions: They don't.
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When it comes to the US government vaccinating it's citizens abroad, the question should not be, "can they?" The question should be, "why aren't they?"
Why such a can't do attitude on these pages?!
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1 hour ago, sqwakvfr said:Logistically not feasible. What would an embassy do? Set up a mass vaccination site on embassy grounds? Not likely. Security to enter any US Embassy(especially now) is cumbersome. Also, the embassy would then have o set up a process to register, verify and book time slots for the vaccination. Could the embassy hire local medical staff to vaccinate only it's citizens? It could turn into a diplomatic nightmare. If it got really bad in any country the only real assistance the embassy would provide is emergency evacuation(anyone remember those flights from Japan to Travis Air Force Base in 2020?). Of course even embassy operated evacuations are not free. As I recall the US Embassy charged each evacuated person from Japan approximately $4400.
This is issue is Dead on Arrival.
Logistically very feasible. How many expats from the US do you think there are in Thailand? No need to enter very far onto the grounds. Set up a big tent outside of the buildings. Safer for unvaccinated people to not congregate inside of buildings anyway. Appointment system? Are you kidding? This is so easy to do. Easy to automate confirmation emails. Military medics can be brought in to administer vaccines if needed, but local nurses could also be hired.
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On 5/9/2021 at 9:55 PM, Whale said:
I can see the embassies giving jabs to their own staff but how can they possibly sort it for their nationals living in Thailand, Ever tried to get an appointment at your embassy? How could they possibly handle all the Ozzies, Brits, Americans, etc that live here, logistically speaking?
None of this is difficult to do. How many expats from those nations do you think are actually in Thailand right now? Not so many.
On 5/10/2021 at 12:42 AM, Surelynot said:Not going to happen......logistical nightmare, need trained staff, certificates of vaccination, liability, premises......the only way I would see this happening is if the embassy simply obtain the vaccines and then allocate them to their citizens through a private hospital.....much the same as is going to happen anyway.
Trained staff? Plenty of military medics not too far away. Embassies are able to bring in whatever staff they need to fulfill their mission.
Liability? At least for the US, the government and it's employees have sovereign immunity.
Premises? Have you seen how large the grounds are for some of the embassies? Especially the US. Or how about the US Ambassador's residence? HUGE! And as there's currently no ambassador.....
On 5/10/2021 at 12:51 AM, wasabi said:Headline should read, "Public Health Ministry gives okay for something that does not require their permission and isn't going to happen anyway, but don't say we didn't try."
I really like that, though it's too long to fit!
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The news is out yesterday/today is that expats in Thailand WILL be eligible for the vaccine. The spokesman for the Public Health Ministry (Rungruang Kitpati) also said...
"Foreigners who want vaccinations can also contact their own embassy to get one" [Source: A local publication who may not be named]
That quote from the government essentially gives embassies a way to start administering vaccines to their citizens living here in Thailand without causing diplomatic headaches.
Then there is this (emphasis added)....
QuoteChina's embassy in Thailand posted a statement on its website Thursday saying that Thai authorities recently agreed to vaccinate Chinese citizens beginning in late May as a gesture of friendship and cooperation against COVID-19, even though vaccine supplies are limited. Asked about the statement, Thai Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said he was unaware of any specific plans for vaccinating Chinese residents. China has a policy of vaccinating its citizens abroad. There are an estimated 150,000 Chinese living in Thailand, the biggest group of foreigners aside from citizens of neighboring Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos, who are generally migrant workers. SOURCE
If China can vaccinate their citizens abroad, and the Thai government has said embassies can vaccinate their citizens in Thailand, then there is nothing stopping foreign embassies from vaccinating their citizens in Thailand. Nothing except their choice not to.
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10 hours ago, expatjustice said:
Then they would have managed to scam some of the biggest and brightest companies and individuals in the world ????Yes, but.....
Biggest? Well, ok. With size comes the ability to pump and then dump.
Brightest? Not necessarily. Too much credit is often given to the so-called intelligence of the super wealthy. Someone being super wealthy doesn't mean they're among the brightest. It could just mean they got lucky. Or they didn't care who they hurt or what damage they cause as they acquire their wealth and status (see, psychopath).
FROM THE LINK ABOVE:
Quote“He is a charismatic leader who inspires people to follow him. A strategic thinker who can master the details. A tireless worker with incredible focus and problem-solving skills. He is well-liked by his employees but is also able to make and execute unpopular decisions. Above all, he is an exceptional communicator who can convey a vision to any audience, from Wall Street to the most junior employee.”
QuoteThe quote above could describe an ideal CEO. But it’s actually a portrait of a corporate psychopath, provided by a law enforcement official who declined to be identified because they weren’t authorized to publicly comment.
Note that I do not discount hard work! A psychopath won't go very far. Nor do I discount intelligence! I'm sure at least some psychopaths are quite intelligent. Lucky too.
Let's look at a big company led by a guy who I'm not saying is a psychopath (I don't know him so I can't really say one way or the other.) Back in late 2015 he said, “We’re going to end up with complete autonomy, and I think we will have complete autonomy in approximately two years.” SOURCE
A lot of cars have been sold on that claim!
Cut to 2020 and....
QuoteDuring Tesla’s earnings call Wednesday evening Elon Musk mentioned that Full Self Driving tech is probably going to be released by the end of this year, and that the company may allow certain customers early access to a “feature complete” version of the software. Musk went on to clarify that this means the car will have some chance of navigating from home to work without driver intervention. Feature complete, however “doesn’t mean features are working well.” SOURCE
But back to Bitcoin.....
As you may already know, Tesla bought about 1.5 billion USD of Bitcoin earlier this year and then sold about 10% of it for a profit.
QuoteThe big profit recorded in Q1 reveals the approximate size of the overall windfall. A note on page 5 discloses that Tesla booked a $101 million "positive impact" from the sale of Bitcoin, recorded in the 'Restructuring & Other' line on the income statement. The cash flow statement shows that the sale garnered proceeds of $272 million. Hence, we know that Tesla paid $171 million for Bitcoin it sold for $101 million more, clinching a 59% profit. SOURCE
Fun fact! From that same Fortune article we learn that, "In Q1, Tesla posted pre-tax profits of $533 million. But those earnings included $519 million in sales of regulatory credits, a boost that will soon disappear, as well as the $101 Bitcoin bonanza. Subtract those benefits outside selling cars, batteries and services, and it lost $87 million."
I guess I'll leave it there.
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Also, too, I thought this video on the topic was interesting. (I suffered through the whole 76 minutes.)
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Bloomberg: mRNA much more effective preventing Covid spread
in COVID-19 Coronavirus
Very true. I personally would prefer to hold out for an mRNA vaccine, but I'm also slowly coming around to idea that it may be better to take whatever is available.
It'll probably come down to whether there's any sign that private hospitals are close to getting the Moderna vaccine by the time the AZ or Sinovac vaccines are finally offered to expats here.