Mask wearing etiquette at Jomtien immigration

[Jingthing]

As many know the issue of westerners not tending to wear masks while Thais and other Asians wear them at much higher rates has been politicized in Thailand by the health minister in a xenophobic way.  That's unfortunate as there are honest differences in opinions from health experts on the usefulness of the general public wearing masks and of course there are huge cultural differences in mask wearing in general between Asia and the west.

 

Anyway, as I need to go to immigration soon, I was wondering if masks are now expected dress code at Thai immigration, specifically Jomtien.

 

I got an answer to this (since deleted) that about half of the client/suspects there were wearing masks which led me to believe that not wearing a mask would be at least acceptable.

 

That was one random recent report so others are welcome to post their recent reports.

 

In any case I think it's useful to the immigration office visiting public to know the answer to this, and so far, it seems it will be OK to either wear a mask or not.

 

Of course over time if the situation changes locally, that current etiquette may change. In other words a "China model" where everyone is basically required to wear masks is in the realm of future possibilities. 

 

Theoretically you're not supposed to wear shorts there, a separate issue, but the last time I was there the majority of the client / suspects were!

Edited March 14, 2020 by Jingthing

[newnative]

I did my 90 day report the other day. When I went to the desk I took my mask off to be polite but the officer told me to put it back on and she was also wearing one. 

[scubascuba3]

It's stupid to wear a mask unless you have symptoms, that's why there is a shortage, don't join the stupid club

[Jingthing]

Just now, scubascuba3 said:

It's stupid to wear a mask unless you have symptoms, that's why there is a shortage, don't join the stupid club

I agree but I was wondering if not wearing one (based on the current xenophobic attacks on westerners related to low rates of mask wearing) would be looked upon in a hostile way by the officers there. 

[seajae]

I did my 90 day thursday, didnt wear a mask and wore shorts as I always do, some were wearing masks and some were not. Masks are no good unless you have it and we are being told not to wear them if we dont have it plus the fact you cant get them anywhere so dont see how thay can make it compulsory, then again those in charge are mostly uneducated idiots so you never know, did notice immigration had several boxes of masks behind the counter but only the normal 3 ply ones that dont work anyway

 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by seajae

[Jingthing]

1 minute ago, seajae said:

I did my 90 day thursday, didnt wear a mask and wore shorts as I always do, some were wearing masks and some were not. Masks are no good unless you have it and we are being told not to wear them if we dont have it plus the fact you cant get them anywhere so dont see how thay can make it compulsory, then again those in charge are mostly uneducated idiots so you never know

 

Well if they do make it required, that would be OK, it's their office, but it would be funny if they were to hand them out (or more like sell them) at the entrance provided by someone touching them.

 

[Skallywag]

Being cautious is "up to you" in Thailand.  With all the information out there from the CDC and the WHO, it best you decide what is safe for you.  Depends on your age, your health, your medical history, etc...  Covid19 is an incurable virus for some, so do what you think is best for you.

[scubascuba3]

1 minute ago, Jingthing said:

Well if they do make it required, that would be OK, it's their office, but it would be funny if they were to hand them out (or more like sell them) at the entrance provided by someone touching them.

 

how can they make it required when there is a shortage and you may not be able to buy them. If they supplied them outside fair enough although useless

[Jingthing]

2 minutes ago, Skallywag said:

Being cautious is "up to you" in Thailand.  With all the information out there from the CDC and the WHO, it best you decide what is safe for you.  Depends on your age, your health, your medical history, etc...  Covid19 is an incurable virus for some, so do what you think is best for you.

Yeah but there are social factors as well. If you're in a location where it is expected and required, you just do it because there are bad consequences to not doing it that have nothing to do with health. 

[DannyCarlton]

Becoming de geurre in certain parts of Jomtien now. Saw a zhuzhie little number, pink with red roses, in Central the other day and just had to have it. Thinking of buying one for the young guy on desk 8 as he's sooo cute and am sure he would love it.

[tropo]

53 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

It's stupid to wear a mask unless you have symptoms, that's why there is a shortage, don't join the stupid club

I think your comment was stupid. Asymptomatic people can spread it for days before they get sick. People who have symptoms have probably infected 100's of people already, both directly or indirectly. 

 

 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by tropo

[Kelsall]

In these types of situations I wear a mask even though I have no symptoms.  I view it as a uniform which says "I'm like you.  I'm with you on this."

 

Did this on an aircraft recently.  It made me feel better though I don't know if the Thais gave a you-know-what.

[brokenbone]

i found using a tie in combo with elephant underwear with open zipper makes them sympathetic to my situation

[Sheryl]

1 hour ago, Jingthing said:

Yeah but there are social factors as well. If you're in a location where it is expected and required, you just do it because there are bad consequences to not doing it that have nothing to do with health. 

 

My feeling exactly. I keep a mask or two in my bag and put one on if I'm somewhere that many people are wearing one. I have also start putting one on before getting into a cab, after a Grab taxi driver asked me to put one on (he also asked me to give him one. I did have a spare, which I gave him. The logic of thinking that taking from me a mask I had handled and possibly worn would protect him from being infected by me, I won't go into...).

 

Mind you these are all the flimsy paper masks that are of no real use, and I am perfectly well.

 

Like it or not, westerners are now perceived as risky and it is sometimes necessary to have a mask on just to avoid making people feel uncomfortable around you. Now that the virus is well entrenched in Europe this is likely to if anything get worse.

 

 

 

 

[brewsterbudgen]

Wear a proper PM2.5 mask for the pollution.  Even when it is "moderate", it is bad.  Thais will think you're wearing it for the virus.

[scubascuba3]

32 minutes ago, tropo said:

I think your comment was stupid. Asymptomatic people can spread it for days before they get sick. People who have symptoms have probably infected 100's of people already, both directly or indirectly. 

 

 

 

Recommendation from the experts not you is not to wear one unless you have symptoms, people like you are jointly responsible for the shortage incl at Bangkok airport

[Chazar]

is  it  ok if  i go in a full hazmat  suit? and then ok at the airport too....I mean lets be honest here a  mask is going to do  <deleted>  all, this actually  might help you,next what about  colours? would red be deemed inappropriate.how  about a soft peach,  hello  kitty stickers?

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by Chazar

[tropo]

20 minutes ago, scubascuba3 said:

Recommendation from the experts not you is not to wear one unless you have symptoms, people like you are jointly responsible for the shortage incl at Bangkok airport

There are naive people about that will believe anything they read, without question...

 

Do you really think the experts are telling the truth here? The experts are trying to prevent panic. Claiming that only sick people should wear masks suggests they are effective, because if they weren't, why suggest that sick people should wear them. That's quite illogical, but people like you swallow it hook, line and sinker.

 

Then you didn't consider that you might want to wear a mask to prevent you getting the virus from another person. Wake up sunshine - asymptomatic people are spreading it too.

 

Then of course there's the question of the quality of the masks. They are not equal.

 

 

[KhunKenAP]

They should close the office and give everyone a one month grace period for any required in office reports, renewals!!!!! Can extend later if needed.

[Jingthing]

17 minutes ago, KhunKenAP said:

They should close the office and give everyone a one month grace period for any required in office reports, renewals!!!!! Can extend later if needed.

That would be great but they really really should forget 90 day reports for now and also TM30 if they haven't already which I don't really keep track of as I've NEVER done one (or a TM28 either ha ha).

[DannyCarlton]

4 minutes ago, Jingthing said:

That would be great but they really really should forget 90 day reports for now and also TM30 if they haven't already which I don't really keep track of as I've NEVER done one (or a TM28 either ha ha).

Likewise, and my wife does my 90 day reports. No visits to immigration for me for another 9 months.

[scubascuba3]

54 minutes ago, tropo said:

Do you really think the experts are telling the truth here? The experts are trying to prevent panic. Claiming that only sick people should wear masks suggests they are effective, because if they weren't, why suggest that sick people should wear them. That's quite illogical, but people like you swallow it hook, line and sinker.

 

Dear oh dear, there is a difference between someone with symptoms vs someone with no symptoms. People are at the most contagious the first few days of symptoms  hence the recommendation of self isolating for 7 days. Wearing a mask if used correctly will stop those with symptoms from coughing over everyone or spouting off

[jacko45k]

4 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Theoretically you're not supposed to wear shorts there, a separate issue, but the last time I was there the majority of the client / suspects were!

Well the overspill waiting area is now outside and it is usually around mid-30s C, so I think shorts is to be expected.

[MTH]

Did my 90-day report two days ago at Jomtien Immigration.

 

I also had some concerns about face masks being required. So I got one of those paper masks and put it in a plastic bag in my pocket, just in case they were required.

 

Very few people there in the afternoon. The new outdoor queue system wasn’t in use. Just went inside and got the ticket as usual from the front desk.

 

Not that many foreigners with masks, all staff wore them though. The Immigration Officer was very polite to me, didn’t seem to mind me not wearing a mask, even pointed out that my passport was expiring later this year.

I did make sure to not get close to his face though, sat down immediately and stretched my passport over.

[Curt1591]

7 hours ago, Jingthing said:

Well if they do make it required, that would be OK, it's their office, but it would be funny if they were to hand them out (or more like sell them) at the entrance provided by someone touching them.

At  CW, in January, they were handing them out - free. I'm sure they are out by this time.

Ironically, any people I noticed coughing weren't wearing them!

[from the home of CC]

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

Like it or not, westerners are now perceived as risky

as the Asians are in the west, ignorance is universal..

[GeorgeCross]

7 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Recommendation from the experts not you is not to wear one unless you have symptoms, people like you are jointly responsible for the shortage incl at Bangkok airport

 

err the guy on the video IS THE EXPERT

 

Quote

Michael T. Osterholm, PhD, MPH

Director

 

Dr. Osterholm is Regents Professor, McKnight Presidential Endowed Chair in Public Health, the director of the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy (CIDRAP), Distinguished Teaching Professor in the Division of Environmental Health Sciences, School of Public Health, a professor in the Technological Leadership Institute, College of Science and Engineering, and an adjunct professor in the Medical School, all at the University of Minnesota. From June 2018 through May 2019, he served as a Science Envoy for Health Security on behalf of the US Department of State. He is also on the Board of Regents at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa.

He is the author of the 2017 book, Deadliest Enemy: Our War Against Killer Germs, in which he not only details the most pressing infectious disease threats of our day but lays out a nine-point strategy on how to address them, with preventing a global flu pandemic at the top of the list.

In addition, Dr. Osterholm is a member of the National Academy of Medicine (NAM) and the Council of Foreign Relations. In June 2005 Dr. Osterholm was appointed by Michael Leavitt, Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), to the newly established National Science Advisory Board on Biosecurity. In July 2008, he was named to the University of Minnesota Academic Health Center’s Academy of Excellence in Health Research. In October 2008, he was appointed to the World Economic Forum Working Group on Pandemics.

 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by GeorgeCross

[tropo]

5 hours ago, scubascuba3 said:

Dear oh dear, there is a difference between someone with symptoms vs someone with no symptoms. People are at the most contagious the first few days of symptoms  hence the recommendation of self isolating for 7 days. Wearing a mask if used correctly will stop those with symptoms from coughing over everyone or spouting off

Dear oh dear indeed.

 

People might be spreading it more when they are showing symptoms, but they can spread it before they have symptoms, and for up to 14 days, hence the 14 day quarantine period (not 7 days). This is the very reason why this outbreak is so frightening. Seemingly healthy people are spreading it, yet you maintain that anyone in the Jomtien Immigration office is "stupid" to wear a mask. People with ideas such as yours are the very reason one should wear a mask. 

 

The "experts" you trust have already given you a clue - masks do work. Why else would they suggest that people looking after sick people should wear them. I suggest you get your advice from different experts.

 

 

 

 

[DannyCarlton]

9 minutes ago, tropo said:

Dear oh dear indeed.

 

People might be spreading it more when they are showing symptoms, but they can spread it before they have symptoms, and for up to 14 days, hence the 14 day quarantine period (not 7 days). This is the very reason why this outbreak is so frightening. Seemingly healthy people are spreading it, yet you maintain that anyone in the Jomtien Immigration office is "stupid" to wear a mask. People with ideas such as yours are the very reason one should wear a mask. 

 

The "experts" you trust have already given you a clue - masks do work. Why else would they suggest that people looking after sick people should wear them. I suggest you get your advice from different experts.

 

 

 

 

Why do those same experts also advise that if you haven't got symptoms you don't need a mask?

 

Oh dear oh dear, let me explain to you , the symptoms are coughing and sneezing, if you're not coughing and sneezing the mask won't stop you spreading it because it won't catch the droplets that you're not coughing and sneezing out of your mouth and nose. Please ask for further explanation if needed.

[GeorgeCross]

as it looks like there is a split between the benefits of wearing a mask from the experts (for clarity i'm going N95 here) depending on which side of the planet you ask on, i'm going to go with the time honored plus or minus points to make my decision:

 

pros: they work and could save my life and those of my loved ones

 

cons: they dont work and i may look like a prat to some know it all in tescos

 

yeah i think i'll leave mine on, i've got thick skin 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by GeorgeCross