spidermike007

I am staying here. I feel very safe here. 

There are two major issues at stake here, in regard to being able to get back into Thailand. One is Corona. Two is the handling of Corona. Many other countries like China, South Korea, have done a good job with containment, and especially with regard to testing. South Korea developed their own test kit in 21 days! In the US, this has been severely bungled from the beginning. First, the administration turned down the emergency funding request from congress, back in early February, saying it was not necessary. Then Trump repeatedly downplayed this, comparing it to the common flu. His repeated denials caused a massive crisis in confidence, that triggered a massive sell off. Had he been smart, and truthful from the beginning, the sell off would have been milder, and $6 trillion dollars would not have been erased from the markets and people's savings. In addition, the US is badly bungling the test kits.

I was scheduled to fly back to the US in a weeks time, and was going to return here late April. The US state department is stating that Thailand will require a letter from a US doctor or hospital, stating you have been given a Corona test, been determined to be negative for the virus, and have a generally good bill of health. The US was just elevated to the next level. He told me even though he works at Cedars in LA, one of the top hospitals in the state, they do not have one test kit. They have been requesting them for weeks, and cannot get them. In addition, he said no doctor will write that letter, since they cannot determine if you are in the incubation period, even if you test negative. So, I cancelled my trip. What is the point of risking a mandatory hospital quarantine, when this thing explodes in the US? In addition, the State Dept. website said that Thailand may require you to provide proof of health insurance, at a minimum of $100,000. Does not apply to marriage visas, according to immigration. I called them. 

So, again the administration is lying. The test kits may be going out, but nobody knows where they are going, and they do not seem to be going to the major hospitals where they are most needed. Lying Pence, and Lying Trump. Causing a massive public health hazard daily. Cases increased in the US by 900 in the past 48 hours, and 60 deaths to date. Total cases now at 2,999 and climbing. Had Trump not allowed Bolton to dismantle the office of epidemiology, of the NSA, and withdraw that partly $30 million, the US would have been far better prepared. This is likely the election for Trump. Had he not been heading toward a loss in November before, it is a near certainly now, with this severe bungling. 

When questioned by a reporter about why the administration closed the pandemic office of the CDC, and withdrew $30,000,000 in funding for it, in June of 2018, despite warnings from epidemiologists that a pandemic like this one could be right around the corner, he accused the reporter of asking a "nasty question", and said he takes no responsibility for that. He said something rather vague about the administration inheriting some issues, and then went on to say he had no personal knowledge of that happening, and would have to ask his staff why they did that. Taking responsibility for tragic errors is what real men do. Boys and juveniles deflect, pass blame, and point fingers.

I have been saying for three years now, that Trump is one of the most dangerous men in the world. He is certainly proving that theory lately. 

In fact, all of Trump’s budget proposals have called for cuts to CDC funding, but Congress has intervened each time by passing spending bills with year-over-year increases for the CDC that Trump then signed into law. In 2018, Trump administration eliminated the position of senior director for global health security and biodefense as part of a broader downsizing of the NSC spearheaded by then-National Security Adviser John Bolton. Earlier this month, 27 Democratic senators sent a letter to current National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien urging him to reinstate the position and asking him to clarify how the White House plans to handle global health security threats.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-cut-cdcs-budget-democrats-claim-analysis/story?id=69233170

The cuts started in 2018, as the White House focused on eliminating fundingto Obama-era disease security programs. In March of that year, Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer, whose job it was to lead the U.S. response in the event of a pandemic, abruptly left the administration and his global health security team was disbanded. That same year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was forced to slash its efforts to prevent global disease outbreak by 80% as its funding for the program began to run out. The agency, at the time, opted to focus on 10 priority countries and scale back in others, including China. Also cut was the Complex Crises Fund, a $30 million emergency response pool that was at the secretary of state’s disposal to deploy disease experts and others in the event of a crisis. (The fund was created by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.)

https://fortune.com/2020/02/26/coronavirus-covid-19-cdc-budget-cuts-us-trump/

It is impossible that Trump was not involved in these decisions. Just another lie. He just assumes we are not paying attention, and that required fealty will prevent fact checking. 

When questioned by a reporter about why the administration closed the pandemic office of the CDC, and withdrew $30,000,000 in funding for it, in June of 2018, despite warnings from epidemiologists that a pandemic like this one could be right around the corner, he accused the reporter of asking a "nasty question", and said he takes no responsibility for that. He said something rather vague about the administration inheriting some issues, and then went on to say he had no personal knowledge of that happening, and would have to ask his staff why they did that. Taking responsibility for tragic errors is what real men do. Boys and juveniles deflect, pass blame, and point fingers.

I have been saying for three years now, that Trump is one of the most dangerous men in the world. He is certainly proving that theory lately. 

In fact, all of Trump’s budget proposals have called for cuts to CDC funding, but Congress has intervened each time by passing spending bills with year-over-year increases for the CDC that Trump then signed into law. In 2018, Trump administration eliminated the position of senior director for global health security and biodefense as part of a broader downsizing of the NSC spearheaded by then-National Security Adviser John Bolton. Earlier this month, 27 Democratic senators sent a letter to current National Security Adviser Robert O’Brien urging him to reinstate the position and asking him to clarify how the White House plans to handle global health security threats.

https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/trump-cut-cdcs-budget-democrats-claim-analysis/story?id=69233170

The cuts started in 2018, as the White House focused on eliminating fundingto Obama-era disease security programs. In March of that year, Rear Adm. Timothy Ziemer, whose job it was to lead the U.S. response in the event of a pandemic, abruptly left the administration and his global health security team was disbanded. That same year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was forced to slash its efforts to prevent global disease outbreak by 80% as its funding for the program began to run out. The agency, at the time, opted to focus on 10 priority countries and scale back in others, including China. Also cut was the Complex Crises Fund, a $30 million emergency response pool that was at the secretary of state’s disposal to deploy disease experts and others in the event of a crisis. (The fund was created by former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.)

https://fortune.com/2020/02/26/coronavirus-covid-19-cdc-budget-cuts-us-trump/

It is impossible that Trump was not involved in these decisions. Just another lie. He just assumes we are not paying attention, and that required fealty will prevent fact checking. 

It is impossible to get that medical certificate in the US. Had to cancel the trip. I was scheduled to fly to LA next week. Can't get the health letter Thailand requires stating I am corona negative. Talked to my friend, who is a top pulmonogist at Cedars Sinai Hospital. He said NO test kits are available. The hospital has been trying to get them for weeks. And nobody will write the letter because of the incubation period. Too much liability. So, Thailand is asking for a health letter that cannot be gotten. Perhaps some other countries will issue a simple letter, with the results of the test. But, I was facing likely quarantine on return. Not gonna risk that. Almost 400 new cases in US overnight in US, and it is going up exponentially. Thailand added Spain to the list with 4,000 cases, and the US will be there by next week.  And someone is lying about the kits.

There is a very simple solution to this problem. If the authorities were interested in solutions. The burning has to stop. There are alternatives, to this 19th century technique of burning after the sugar cane harvest. Either the government starts to encourage farmers to switch to more environmentally friendly crops, or they start to penalize farmers for burning. This heinous burning, is leading to a tremendous degree of environmental degradation, and alot of lung disease. So here is what I propose-

1. Fine the farmers 5,000 baht for a first offense, and give them a stern warning, that burning is now prohibited, and the second fine will be very harsh.

2. For a second offense, fine the farmer 100,000 baht, and warn them that if the burning continues, their land will be confiscated.

3. On the 3rd offense, confiscate their land. Period. No questions. No legal proceeding or appeals on the part of the farmers. Allow others to come in and purchase the land at a fair price, with the caveat that sugar is prohibited as a crop to be grown on that land. 

The news would travel faster than the toxic smoke, and farmers would change their ways overnight, and move into the 21st century. 

Then they can move on to tackle the sale of diesel vehicles, and the government's enthusiastic support of such. It is inane in this day and age. Most nations are moving away from diesel for good reasons. When they are not well maintained, they foul the air, with large, nasty particles. And who properly maintains their vehicle here? Same applies to diesel generated power plants. Beyond inane. PM counts above 200 KILL people. The hospitals are jammed with people that have massive respiratory issues. And what is being done about it?

Here is the bottom line. Either you are a serious administration, or you are not. Either you care about your people and want to implement long standing polices that improve the nation, the environment, and the air, or you don't. Either you are real men, or you are incompetent boys. We all know the answers to that. We are talking about the Thai army. A hapless and thoroughly incompetent organization if there ever was one. 

13 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

A test is critical for someone who has been exposed.

 

Really. So if you show symptoms,you gonna just live your life until you get tested. Or do the responsible thing. 

   23 minutes ago,  spidermike007 said: 

It seems these days, the only ones playing down this epidemic, and the need for testing are followers, supporters, and devotees of the fake orange master.

13 minutes ago, Nyezhov said:

 

So by your logic, because I think a great deal of this pandemic is media driven political hype (look at some of the  hate posts here, including such infantile insults as the "fake orange master") that makes me an evil brainwashed drone in service of a cult right? In other words, folks who dont accept YOUR view of this "crisis", for logical and scientific reasons,are nothing more than "devotees"?

 

Got it. More hate. Ignore list.

The total numbers can be dramatically reduced, if an infection is detected, and the person then engages in self isolation. If you do not know you are infected, the disease keeps getting spread and the numbers go up exponentially. This is common sense stuff.

I do agree the media is creating a frenzy. But, this epidemic is NOT HYPE. It is very real. So, let me understand this. Your fake master can hurl insults at whoever he wants, and it does not bother you one iota. He can continue with his daily tirades, and continue inventing his schoolyard names for all of his adversaries. No problem with you. But, when someone who does not care for him or his policies calls him a name, we are infantile, but he is not? Fascinating bit of reasoning there. I do not consider his followers to be evil. But, I would say many fall into the category of devotees. 

It is a bold thing, for a woman to actually come out, and defend a man against charges of hurting, raping, harassing or otherwise offending a woman, these days. The world seems less sympathetic toward men, than at any time in memory. Me too, while it has it reasons, and has probably done some good, has created a divide between men and woman that seems overwhelming. Men like Weinstein and Epstein (the one who did not kill himself) deserve every bit of pain and punishment that can be thrown at them. But it has degenerated to the point where I do not even know a single man in the US who is dating anymore. Some have gone two years without any TLC. It is an abominable situation, and makes one very grateful to live in a land where women know how to manifest the dignity within femininity, and actually enjoy being real women. 

5 hours ago, Gweiloman said:

Actually, the “hating” started with Trump. Prior to him, one might’ve hated stated US policies but never the individual. It was Trump with his name calling and criticisms of never-Trumpers (whatever that means) that has irreparably divided America and weakened this once powerful country. 
 

One need not look further than the above to understand why Putin loves Trump. 

True that. He is a divider. That is what he does. And he has the emotional development of a seventh grader. A total bully mentality. The name calling is so inane. So childish. It is amazing that his supporters are comfortable with that lack of dignity and grace. I am a never Trumper, and could not possibly be more proud of that. I prefer real men. I like my leaders to have the ability to negotiate a deal, and to be able to team up with our closest allies, against our greatest adversaries. He seems to have gotten that one mixed up. He seems to have a form of political dyslexia. 

3 hours ago, lannarebirth said:

 

Number of Covid 19 tests conducted in US yesterday:  8

 

https://www.cnn.com/videos/politics/2020/03/12/mike-pence-coronavirus-response-cdc-testing-sot-newday-vpx.cnn

It is quite astonishing how badly this administration is mishandling a deadly situation. My guess is, that this is the election. Between the slumping economy, and a glaring display of stunning incompetence and lies, in the face of a pandemic, I think even alot of conservatives will say enough with such mediocre minds, and such a lack of talent and sincerity. 

Anutin is at it again. Message from ex-pat community to the Thai people. Watch out for dirty ministers spreading lies, and racist hatred.

3 minutes ago, Logosone said:

Well, South Korea has 15 million less inhabitants than the UK but outproduces the UK by 130 billion USD in manufacturing. How is this possible with 15 million less inhabitants?

 

Koreans are not like other men. They are the intellectual supermen of our age. We should not try to compare ourselves to South Koreans.

Perhaps not. But for a country that constantly lies about being number one, and having the best of this, and the best of that, it is amazing how often they bungle things, when an emergency arises. Remember Katrina? Hurricane Maria? And now Corona. The list goes on. Does not matter which administration it is or was. America seems to screw things up, alot. 

There are two major issues at stake here. One is Corona. Two is the handling of Corona. Many other countries like China, South Korea, And Germany, have done a very good job with containment, and especially with regard to testing. South Korea developed their own test kit in 21 days! In the US, this has been severely bungled from the beginning. First, the administration turned down the emergency funding request from congress, back in early February, saying it was not necessary. Then Trump repeatedly downplayed this, comparing it to the common flu. His repeated denials caused a massive crisis in confidence, that triggered a massive sell off. Had he been smart, and truthful from the beginning, the sell off would have been milder, and $6 trillion dollars would not have been erased from the markets and people's savings. In addition, the US is badly bungling the test kits.

I was scheduled to fly back to the US in a weeks time, and was going to return here late April. The US state department is stating that Thailand will require a letter from a US doctor or hospital, stating you have been given a Corona test, been determined to be negative for the virus, and have a generally good bill of health, if the US is elevated to the next level, which it is CERTAIN to be, within a week or two. He told me even though he works at Cedars in LA, as a pulmonologist, at one of the top hospitals in the state, they do not have one test kit. They have been requesting them for weeks, and cannot get them. In addition, he said no doctor will write that letter, since they cannot determine if you are in the incubation period, even if you test negative. So, I cancelled my trip. What is the point of risking a mandatory hospital quarantine back here, if this thing explodes in the US? In addition, the State Dept. website said that Thailand may require you to provide proof of health insurance, at a minimum of $100,000. Does not apply to marriage visas, according to immigration. I called them. 

So, again the administration is lying. The test kits may be going out, but nobody knows where they are going, and they do not seem to be going to the major hospitals where they are most needed, and the feds are not monitoring any of this, so there is a high likelihood that alot of profiteering is happening. Lying Pence, and Lying Trump. Causing a massive public health hazard daily. Cases increased in the US by 450 in the past 30 hours, and 41 deaths to date. Total cases now at 1,762 and climbing. 

Trump will lose this election. The writing is already on the wall. It is just a question of how many millions votes Biden can beat him by. I am hoping for 10 million votes, so the ridiculous electoral college gets canceled out.