geworthomd

6 minutes ago, geworthomd said:

It is an interesting subject and the jury is still out.  BTW, the PhD virologists don't practice medicine.  Anyway, here is just one article, I would not call it a scientific paper:

https://jvi.asm.org/content/88/14/7692

The still accepted medical reason for the spread of any disease in winter is that we all get closer together in winter inside our homes.  Why do we still see it increase in the hotter equatorial climates as well during the northern hemisphere winter? The reason is because of migration.  There are more people in the northern hemisphere.  Given that these people are part of our global herd and people fly in airplanes, you have half of the answer.  There are other factors to consider though.  One is the cycle that a flu virus goes to.  Perhaps it jumps from a host animal after a small or even large mutation to a human, then human to human then human to animal.  Currently, pigs are thought to host most but again that theory could change any day by the Ph. D. virologists lol  Asian countries eat more pork.  There are more pigs in asian countries.  China has more close association with pigs and people in closer contact as the theory goes. The laboratory experiments for humidity and temperature in vitro don't really have as much implication on the practice of medicine.  We see the flu spread throughout the world despite a variety of temperatures and humidity.  Just look at what happened during these COVID times.  There have been studies that show being cold has nothing to do with our immune system or if we do or don't get a cold. The Russians have a study that showed the opposite. Growing up I always noticed that the Russians would put coats on their gymnastic athletes after their routines.  I believe that cold may affect your immune system.  That is not to say that cold weather does as Eskimos might attest.  If our body temperature drops our blood gets thicker, our cells don't work as well.  So, if our body temperature decreases then our immune system drops.  Alcohol probably has something to do with lowering the body's immune system if in excess.  Genetics plays a big role.  Do you have two copies of he delta 34 gene?  If you are from northern European (not meaning Russian though) you probably don't have the same immune system as the Asians or Africans.   Contact with contaminated air particles like Pig-Pen's cloud of dust seems to make sense. In the operating room it appears that there are higher and lower bacteria shedding surgeons but that has not been shown for viruses.  Some cultures wash their hands more.  Some cultures shake hands more.  Some cultures have more fomites.  Some areas of China tend to spit on the ground, snort up some snot and hack it out, as I have found.  So, there are a variety of things to consider.  Yes, UV kills bacteria and viruses.  Typically, you can leave water in a plastic bottle out in the sun and it will sterilize but that won't touch things that are in the cystic stage as many parasites can but we were talking about viruses, weren't we.  I'm sorry to get side tracked.  Another interesting thing is that we seem to see a lot more common colds when indoor furnaces get turned on.  Why this is or is it just in association with crowding more indoors, who knows.  One thing that every policeman will tell you and not the medical doctor or Ph.D. virologist, is that physical and verbal confrontation happens more in the colder times when we all hunker down together in the winter.  "I didn't come from no darn ape".  If I had a dollar for every time I heard that.  Human's are mammals and we behave a lot like any other mammals.  My horses will bite, kick and generally kick the snot out of each other.  They will constantly reinforce the superiority of their pecking-order.  One hour later they are all standing together way out in the field.  That pecking order is inbred into every mammal though some are better and some are worse.  Chimps are very bad.  Bonobos (pygmy chimps) are less so.  People are no different.  We get lonely when we are away from the herd but when we spend too much time together we tear each other up.  We all just need to walk away sometimes and the other person just needs to know when to give them their space for 15 minutes.  I'm sorry I got off track from virus' again.  I am just bored tonight with nothing to do I guess

 

On 1/11/2021 at 5:09 AM, RobU said:

Ultra violet Radiation not High temperatures kills the virus being cold weakens the human immune system it is easier for the virus to take hold if people don't wrap up warm (relative cold-below 20 degrees is cold for Thai people) The sun in winter is in a different position and a much lower amount of UV light reaches the surface.

It is an interesting subject and the jury is still out.  BTW, the PhD virologists don't practice medicine.  Anyway, here is just one article, I would not call it a scientific paper:

https://jvi.asm.org/content/88/14/7692

The still accepted medical reason for the spread of any disease in winter is that we all get closer together in winter inside our homes.  Why do we still see it increase in the hotter equatorial climates as well during the northern hemisphere winter? The reason is because of migration.  There are more people in the northern hemisphere.  Given that these people are part of our global herd and people fly in airplanes, you have half of the answer.  There are other factors to consider though.  One is the cycle that a flu virus goes to.  Perhaps it jumps from a host animal after a small or even large mutation to a human, then human to human then human to animal.  Currently, pigs are thought to host most but again that theory could change any day by the Ph. D. virologists lol  Asian countries eat more pork.  There are more pigs in asian countries.  China has more close association with pigs and people in closer contact as the theory goes. The laboratory experiments for humidity and temperature in vitro don't really have as much implication on the practice of medicine.  We see the flu spread throughout the world despite a variety of temperatures and humidity.  Just look at what happened during these COVID times.  There have been studies that show being cold has nothing to do with our immune system or if we do or don't get a cold. The Russians have a study that showed the opposite. Growing up I always noticed that the Russians would put coats on their gymnastic athletes after their routines.  I believe that cold may affect your immune system.  That is not to say that cold weather does as Eskimos might attest.  If our body temperature drops our blood gets thicker, our cells don't work as well.  So, if our body temperature decreases then our immune system drops.  Alcohol probably has something to do with lowering the body's immune system if in excess.  Genetics plays a big role.  Do you have two copies of he delta 34 gene?  If you are from northern European (not meaning Russian though) you probably don't have the same immune system as the Asians or Africans.   Contact with contaminated air particles like Pig-Pen's cloud of dust seems to make sense. In the operating room it appears that there are higher and lower bacteria shedding surgeons but that has not been shown for viruses.  Some cultures wash their hands more.  Some areas of China tend to spit on the ground, snort up some snot and hack it out, as I have found.  So, there are a variety of things to consider.  Yes, UV kills bacteria and viruses.  Typically, you can leave water in a plastic bottle out in the sun and it will sterilize but that won't touch things that are in the cystic stage as many parasites can but we were talking about viruses, weren't we.  I'm sorry to get side tracked.  Another interesting thing is that we seem to see a lot more common colds when indoor furnaces get turned on.  Why this is or is it just in association with crowding more indoors, who knows.  One thing that every policeman will tell you and not the medical doctor or Ph.D. virologist, is that physical and verbal confrontation happens more in the colder times when we all hunker down together in the winter.  "I didn't come from no darn ape".  If I had a dollar for every time I heard that.  Human's are mammals and we behave a lot like any other mammals.  My horses will bite, kick and generally kick the snot out of each other.  They will constantly reinforce the superiority of their pecking-order.  One hour later they are all standing together way out in the field.  That pecking order is inbred into every mammal though some are better and some are worse.  Chimps are very bad.  Bonobos (pygma chimps) are less so.  People are no different.  We get lonely when we are away from the herd but when we spend too much time together we tear each other up.  We all just need to walk away sometimes and the other person just needs to know when to give them their space for 15 minutes.  I'm sorry I got off track from virus' again.  I am just bored tonight with nothing to do I guess

Is there anyone who knows of a store or someone in BKK or Chumphon that I can get a Macbook Pro for some kids to take English lessons?

I am teaching some english to village kids in the Chumphon area. Does anyone know somewhere to get a used MacBook Pro?  I use a Mac so it is easiest to Facetime. Line ID geworthomd

I will take it. I am in the south

i’ll take it

4 hours ago, LukKrueng said:

What province are you at? What province is the bike registered at? 

Note that some of the celebrities sell eggs and sperm almost as a part time job, if you have $1,000.000.00. Not sure why this is making the news. Is it the governments job to police this or is it up to the non-fertile families with dads that want to be fathers. As long as they aren’t in close quarter future breeding clusters, however it is what it is and I doubt very much the powers that be in Australia would be interested in my options lol

I am looking for 4 door Isuzu PU diesel under 200,000 baht

[email protected]

The shovel on the snake pic and the dog who passed is a cobra. Do look at the rear and you see it molting. Last night I thought it mostly looked like a non-venemous Rat Snake. This morning with clearer eyes and some sleep I can confirm this to be the King Cobra. This is the largest of the cobras. The greenish skin hasn’t any markings that ate easy to notice. Mistakenly, a person might get close in order to see if there is a pattern. There isn’t much of a pattern when viewed 10 feet away. 
cobras all have heads that seem too small for their body. 
The tip of the shovel is pulling on the cobra’s hood. The fact that the dog died makes this a venomous /viper snake. There is a vaccine for your future dog. This doggie probably saved the life of a child or kid. Dogs are truly our friends when raised well - just like any compassionate human being.
There is a vaccine for humans as well. Cobras like to hang on under piles of dead palm tree leaves and other foliage. Unlike Sea snakes,  the cobra is an ambush predator and likes to stay cool on a hot day and wait. Thailand does also have the Spitting Cobra so please don’t try to approach to kill any really large snake without a face shield or at minimum a set of weed wacker goggles. For safety, I would not recommend trying to kill any snake. Call a local. They will know what to do.  It is unfortunate but a cobra cannot be allowed to coexist with humans. One last thing, the juveniles are a fairly glossy dark green and are more vibrant. When they are seen they are often a foot long. You may wonder if it is a common non-lethal snake because it is small. These little buggers are more venomous young as compared to adults. They strike with high speed vs the slower speed of a full size adult. They get angry more easily and are less predictable. Their necks are particularly delicious to scorpions - whose juveniles also share those same juvenile traits as cobra juveniles. So sd for the loss of your canine friend. He truly was protecting you. 

Red neck?  That can only mean a Red Necked Keelback. Pattern is like a checkerboard. Not poisonous to humans. They kill rodents for you. All snakes bite. The Red Necked Keelback is common. It is the only herbivore that has a red neck collar. Great for amateur herpetologists to see. No need to pick up any snake. You can admire this one. 

If you say it had a red neck then a Red Necked Keelback. Not  really harmful to humans at all. The Keelbacks have a checkered looking pattern. Like the Rat snake, the Keelbacks keep your rodent population down. Again, all snakes bite. 

Veripinae are recticulated. I understand the need to be cautious and need it identified. Most any Thai local can do just that if you are given that opportunity 

Gaboon Vipers (not Baboon Vipers lol) are in southern Africa and zoos. 

Veripinae are recticulated. I understand the need to be cautious and need it identified. Most any Thai local can do just that if you are given that opportunity 

This certainly is not a rule but works for most snakes in Thailand. If the pupils are round it is non-venemous. If the pupils are slit like it is venomous. All snakes bite when scared. An interesting thing about snakes is that they can only stay <deleted> off 15 to 30 seconds at high sympathetic flight or fright. They then calm down. Yes a rattlesnake will still rattle and a cobra will still posture but that is to show u that u entered it’s territory and is scared. With a few exceptions (Black Momba, Bushmaster - both African /south american mainly) snakes prefer to move away from you because u will kill it, Meerkats as well and some scorpions plus other snakes. I am a Catholic and the Bible was the worst thing that ever happened to snakes! Lol

Would need to see the head. Can be a harmless Common Rat Snake or an unlikely large Cobra

Common Rat Snake

it is in the stages of molting, otherwise it’s green is more vibrant. It eats just what it’s name implies - rats. It is non-venomous and useful to keep rat carrying diseases down. It is usually very shy and will always try to avoid humans and walk away - even from small children. The only time it bites is when a human or dogs. going after it and won’t let it get away.  It can be quite fast under those circumstances. It is a shame that you had to kill it. Please get to know this vs the two cobra species that you might mix it with. The common Rat Snake it far more useful to you by killing disease carrying rats than it is dead under your shovel. Live and learn...

I have the initial 90 day non-Immigrant O visa that I plan on changing to one year O visa in 2 months. Do I qualify now for a driving license under “residency certificate” or must I wait?

15 hours ago, Don Chance said:

Expect deflation world wide. USA dollar could collapse next year. Buy Chinese yuan.

What a crock.  The US dollar could chew up the yuan for breakfast.  It is the world trading currency and the oil price standard.  China is taunting for war with: 1) Hong Kong 2) Philippines 3) America 4) Bruni  5) Vietnam  6) Japan 7) India.  Do really think the yuan is the best bet?  I think the Spratly Islands and India and Japan and the USA are going to push them back in their places.  Xi is a war monger.  I would not bet on the yan any more than I would bet on the lotto.  I respect your opinion.  In my opinion, the US dollar is so strong around the world.  It doesn't matter if it is ten or fifteen percent here and there.  It is the largest economy in the world.  It has the largest import in the world.  It is more than self sufficient in oil.  There is just no reason for the US dollar to collapse...hogwash.

I use domestic wire transfer from my bank to Bangkok Bank in New York. In the instructions box at the bottom I just put the particulars of the Bangkok Bank /account number etc. i have done this so so many times without a single hickup

14 hours ago, FritsSikkink said:

"if you receive a salary/wage from abroad" then you are working in Thailand and need a visa to match and a work permit.

America taxes anyone subject to their jurisdiction on worldwide income. To set up a foreign bank account one must provide a passport. That foreign bank must report to USA whatever the agency or that bank can never do business in America. “Death and Taxes...”

21 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Many buildings in the Navy base have this overlap design, some open such as in the Ops question, must be a benefit when it rains

This style has five main benefits. 1. It is easy to construct and doesn't need trusses. 2. It catches water run off without the need for trough's on all sides. 3. The front overhang shades sun out on the hottest time of the day. 4. The greatest wall for windows to the sea is made larger.  5. It is cheap to construct out of a variety of materials.  There are no expensive dormers, lintels or gables.

Infrared radiation is the primary heat source.  The roof should try to keep the infrared from going into the occupancy area below.  Keeping your roof a distance away from your concrete board will allow this, the same as an attic.  As the other person said, the larger air space means that you will have to enclose the ends or the rain will flood your occupancy ceiling.  I say go for it and have fun!  I sure do like the idea that somehow you would be able to get the air to flow through from the ocean side to the land side under that space and without the rain getting through.  That should be easy to do and it would decrease your heat transfer into that dead space.  I would like to suggest that you put it on stilts off the ground a bit in order to gain ventilation.  I would not make it on the ground like this picture even though ground level looks nicer.  It is made of flat panels that are easy to assemble and tear down to move.  It has an air space that keeps infrared from heating the room below.  Ideal for the military in hot areas.  Insulation in the ceiling should keep some of the cold in, in theory, but it doesn't really contribute.  Ceiling insulation works better for keeping room heat in.  For cold insulation we would have to look at double pane windows, thicker doors and and insulation in the walls - hard to do when your walls are made from bricks.  Just adding ceiling insulation in this situation would be a wast of money.  Adding any type of blanket reflective insulation under the bottom side of the roof will add to the removal of infrared.  You could do this except now you have to worry about having to find a way to make that waterproof, creating a whole bunch of extra cost.  I've noticed that in most Thai buildings the rooms heat up rapidly after the air conditioning is off.  I guess this is just the trade off.  If you put the very smallest style air condition in that is of inverter style and a roof style evaporator cooler for days then you can get away with the cheaper energy system of this design?  Using solar panels on the roof was a great suggestion by one of the other authors.  I would certainly put money into the solar panels before I would put any money into insulation.  The roof should be made of a reflective color, normal galvanized look etc.  I wouldn't recommend it be of a dark color due to increased heat absorption.  What a fun project this could be.  If it was four feet off the ground your neighbors could all come to your house during the next Tsunami 

How many people will die if the vaccine waits 2 more months?  How many kids with Stephen Johnson’s will get brain damage?  How many people will get cardiomyopathy and have a poor heart the rest of their lives?  How many people will have lung scarring and will shorten their life span and give them lifelong lung problems. Recovered does mean recovered. It means did not die. There is s big difference. 
Look, we all know that the US FDA is the slowest moving body of it’s kind anywhere in the world. 
My 88 year old mother has locked herself in her house since January. I would give her a vaccine if the phase one trial went well in our current pandemic. How many new people will get infected and die?  Under the Emergency Measures Act the drug manufacturers have immunity. 
Russia and China are at full steam. If problems arise then stop that one drug. We The People have a constitutional given right to chose our future (as a whole). Why not, why not put the power to take that risk into the hands of the people?  We are not looking to move at a pace of a new cough syrup. This is a Pandemic men. 

I was told by Immigration that a volunteer visa still needed a work permit and a work permit requires a B visa and cannot be done from an O visa.  May I ask for any comments, please?

This is a really interesting post.  Thank you.  I went to the immigration in a city south of Hua Hin.  I was told that I missed the deadline for the tourist extension because it takes 2 weeks to process.  I was told that I have to leave the country by September 26.  I brought all the same paperwork as you did.  I don't quite know what to make of this.