mixed

26 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Better than just copying other countries because of media pressure, those other countries such as France, Spain, Italy have failed

All those countries hug, kiss and wave their hands a lot while talking loudly, all good ways to spread the virus. None of this happens in Asia and from what I've read Swedes have always practiced social distancing.

2 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

Weird post. 

Whatever the facts of those previos threats we are dealing with a new threat now with a virus that has different characteristics than anything we've dealt with before. 

Yes and no, another name for covid is severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). SARS did present a danger, just because it didn't happen doesn't mean we shouldn't have been concerned and acted.

If it was a law and order issue or terrorism I don't think we'd have people saying it's an over reaction. For example the Trump ban on Muslims entering was seen by some as very important. How many people died from terrorism in the US over the past two years?

4 minutes ago, UbonThani said:

 https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2020/mar/06/coronavirus-hype-crisis-predictions-sars-swine-flu-panics

That story was written exactly a month ago. Now that Boris has it I'd be surprised if the author hasn't changed his opinion.

Bird flu, Pig Flu, MERS all had potential for an epidemic. It has happened before and has been on the cards a long time.

If this is an over reaction, what about 9/11 then? Only a few thousand deaths, yet look at the changes that were made. Yesterday alone 1,300 died in the US, tomorrow it'll probably be more.

"Over 60 and believe we should restore freedoms, the economy, and return to normal life"

A couple of questions for this group:

1. Do you have stocks, bonds or some other funds that are being negatively affected by the lockdown?

2. How exactly would we 'return to a normal life' with so many sick and dieing, with health services stretched to breaking point?

Sweden is about to change it policies, similar to Asia I believe cultural factors played a part in slow transmission.

12 minutes ago, VocalNeal said:

Are there any Swedes on here? 

 

I used to live in a company village. The expats wives had a social group for house parties and stitch-and-bitch sessions but none of the Swedish women joined. They tried many times to get them to participate but no... so there take and my supposition is that swedes are less gregarious.

 

Which might have a bearing on their infection rate etc.. 

 

Finns likewise. If your neighbour lives closer than 1km, he is too close. 

 

That's an interesting point, Swedes are notorious for hating small talk and never chatting to strangers. The cultural factors are so overlooked, like Asians not even shaking hands while Italians are hugging, kissing, waving their hands and yelling.

Another thing is that covid is most deadly to older males, which many in Sweden would be OK with.

51 minutes ago, lelapin said:

Is placing a mask in a microwave for a short time any benefit in keeping it reusable

Yes, the info is from here https://smartairfilters.com/en/blog/microwave-mask-disinfect-covid-virus/

This site has the best researched info.

Bottom line on microwaving masks to disinfect viruses:

Microwaving items that are contaminated with viruses can work to inactivate the virus. Data shows that you should microwave at 600W or higher for at least 2 minutes to deactivate viruses. However, microwaving masks isn’t recommended. It can be tricky and potentially destructive to your mask. You need to first ensure all the metal has been removed from the mask, and be careful that microwaving for 2 minutes doesn’t damage the mask or set it alight.

11 minutes ago, Pravda said:

Everyone is skeptical including me. However, just maybe Thai individuals (not the government) are more responsible than people back home.

 

https://www.nationalobserver.com/2020/04/01/opinion/canada-taking-covid-19-seriously-enough-it-didnt-look-it-my-plane-home 

This is what I'm hearing from countries in the West, it's like they can't comprehend anything going seriously wrong. Australia is a great example, they've had 30 years of growth, no one has gone without for a long time. Young people who have grown up in safe spaces will really struggle.

1 hour ago, Guderian said:

There may be a number of reasons for this, my favourite explanation is still that the virus doesn't much like the heat and humidity here and so can't transmit itself as effectively as it does in colder, drier climes. The fact that most Thais spend a lot of time outdoors rather than stuck at close quarters in a stuffy small room probably helps as well.

As further evidence of this look at the transmission from the air con boxing stadium, with spectators jammed in and yelling. Compare this to the outside demonstrations in late Feb and mid March, everybody wore a mask and it was outside. I haven't heard of any transmission from these demos.

Is anyone aware how many cases have transmitted outside in open air? Another factor is culture, Thais don't hug, kiss or even shake hands. They don't talk much on public transport and are generally reserved.

The figures may not be accurate, but if it was really bad we'd be seeing evidence. For example during the drug war friends reported gun shots at night and stories of BIL etc. being shot.

I'm surprised the IOs are prepared to work under these conditions. Not long ago there was a shortage of IOs and long lines arriving at Swampy. Apparently this was due to officers not being willing to work there.

Does anybody know if it's still possible to travel to Bangkok from a nearby province? I am out of town, my staff are still working. Is it possible to drive in to see them and pick up supplies so they can continue to work?

No reports of transmission from the protests? I think the last one was mid-March. Everyone crammed together, it was hot and all had masks.

Yesterday I reading a story about Japan during a swine flu outbreak. This was 2009, EVERYONE had a mask and all businesses hand the hand gel out. So simple.

Unbelieveable how much emphasis on them not protecting the wearer, but so little on them protecting others. I think the help both and the weather must be a factor.

There were massive demonstrations in Bkk in late Feb and mid March. People were crammed together, EVERYONE had a mask and it was outside in the heat, there are no reports of transmission from the demos. I couldn't think of a worse place for infection than Lumpini

Thank you very much Cheryl and Lacessit. They help in preventing transmission for sure.

I have a face mask, it's like a thick polyester fabric, there are two layers. Can anyone give advice for washing? I was thinking detergent, hot water and then dry in direct sun? I had a look on the internet, but there's so much (mis)information. People have been saying they are ineffective, however there were thousands packed in recently at Bangkok demonstrations, we are not hearing reports of transmission from there. Everyone had a mask.

10 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

This was inevitable ever since the boxing matches attedned by thousands of people proved to have been transmission focal points.

Televisions companies held their matches without audience. Does anyone know who runs Lumpini?

The infections from the boxing stadium have been previously reported as Lumpini, this story says Rajadamnern. Accuracy is important in these times.

It was Monday, if you are going then I recommend an E Visa rather than one on arrival. If you don't plan to stay overnight, pls PM

For various reason I went to Ban Laem which turned out to be a bit trickier than expected. First Thai immigration was really going through my passport. The officer came out, we spoke in Thai a bit and when I mentioned having a WP he let me go through.

Then on the Cambodian side they were checking my name against various lists and I had a bit of trouble getting them to allow me to leave on the same day.

I think the main issue was that I had Arun - Poipet stamps, so they were suspicious as to why I didn't go there. Once I explained not wanting to fly it made a lot more sense. Also, being dressed nicely at such an isolated border may have looked strange.

But now I have a 90 stamp and even if I'd done the self isolation in Australia I may have had trouble coming through.

29 minutes ago, Nigel Sri Thanonchai said:

Wrong again ,they were the students at her husbands Muay Thai boxing camp ,all smelly and sweaty with plenty of excessive body fluids splashing around 

I think it's pretty much a hi-so Thai gym, although the odd farang probably shows up from time to time.

Yes, I have done that one before. Thanks for your fast replies as always

My 90 day non O finished tomorrow, I need to leave and return. Originally I'd planned to go to Australia, but today self isolation has been announced so I won't be leaving.

Are any of the land border affected by Covid? I have used Poipet without problems in the past, even re-entering on the same day, however I am now concerned.

I will be driving either back to Bkk. Does anyone have experience with the other Thai/Cambodian borders?

8 minutes ago, Mike Teavee said:

Check with your airline, most are offering free rebooking irrespective of Normal ticket conditions 

 

I’m in the same boat as you (albeit heading to UK in May) & no way would I make the trip under the current conditions.

 

who are you flying with? I’m flying with Qatar who have already offered free rebooking or a 1 year travel voucher for anybody traveling before end of June

I am with Qantas. Thanks very much for the info, it's very helpful.

I am supposed to fly back to Australia for ten days tomorrow. Now I am being asked to self isolate for 2 weeks, which would be done at my parents house, they are both over 75. Then I don't know if I'll be allowed back into Thailand in 10 days, as it could have gotten crazy by then.

So I won't fly. The ticket was cheap, I don't think a refund or even change of date was allowed. Does anyone think I have a chance of getting anything back from the Qantas? It wouldn't have to be money, another flight on a different date would be fine.

17 hours ago, amykat said:

Where is that green throw up emoji ??  Myopic thinking.  Maybe you should meet a few more socially well adapted people under 65 who actually live in the US?

While I don't agree with everything in the post you were reacting to, it's been well documented that millennials in the West are having less sex than previous generations. When I arrived in the early '90s there were very few expats in their 20s. Now there are plenty, not just here but all over the region.

In Asia there are now lots of well educated middle class women looking for relationships with western men. These women are often very attractive, hard working and don't believe in the Patriarchy.

But this has nothing to do with why young western men choose them as intimate partners.