19 minutes ago, BritManToo said:

How come Lazada are still allowed to deliver everything?

 

Perhaps for the same reason ALL delivery services are permitted.

They reduce the need for people to gather together to do their shopping, minimizing the risks of contagion.

Food delivery has been a great way to reduce social gathering, while still allowing restaurants and shops to continue business.

Central plaza mall pattaya, closed.

1 hour ago, wotsdermatter said:

At least one bank now refuses to exchange or accept currencies from other countries, as a safeguard even if they are in pristine condition or they will not be accepted for exchange.  However, the banks still accept Thai currency even if it has been in circulation for decades.

'nuf sed.

Currency exchange shops are open and have always given better rates than banks.  So what is your problem?  Discrimination against foreign currency bothering you?  You can join the Foundation Against Discrimination Against Small Pieces of Paper Called Foreign Currency by making a small contribution to their cause.

 

22 hours ago, Gumballl said:

Why? Are you sick?

 

If not, go out and enjoy the sunshine, and get some exercise while you are at it. It helps to build up Vitamin D in your system (which can help stave off illness). Obviously you should avoid large crowds.

No, & by "not leaving the house", I meant the area around my isolated house in the rice fields.  Do a 1 hour session every day on my mountain bike with n95 mask on.  Stocked up on food a week or so ago.  We're in lockdown mode.  

Remember... the reason for the self-isolation is NOT to only 'stop' the virus, but to flatten the curve of people contracting the virus at the same time, so the healthcare professionals can deal with them, and not over-run the hospitals' capabilities.

They are doing their part to keep us healthy. We need to do our part too.

Today, at Kasikorn bank in Chiang Rai, social distancing was being enforced. What a clusterf##k.

Took me an hour to do a simple passbook withdrawal. One Thai there with no mask was leaning on the counter being served by a masked teller. i have no idea what they were transacting, but it took more than half an hour. Meantime, a technician was installing some new fandangle at each counter, in a busy period.

Logistics are not a Thai strong point. I would have thought getting customers processed quickly would be a sine qua non in the current situation.

14 hours ago, trevoromgh said:

Sorry but you only have to watch the videos of how badly it's affecting Italy to realize quite how bad things might get if people do not isolate or keep a safe distance.

I agree, but hey the thai do not care....same with road safety or any other safety.....they-do-not-care....

 

I also saw many shops open today which don't sell food or so.

51 minutes ago, Youlike said:

I agree, but hey the thai do not care....same with road safety or any other safety.....they-do-not-care....

 

Unfortunately, it's not just the Thais who don't care.

23 hours ago, Gumballl said:

If not, go out and enjoy the sunshine

My thermometer outside showed 47 C. Today. Think I'll pass. One more skin cancer might be one too many for me.

4 hours ago, canthai55 said:

Wonder what some people, perched on their High Horses ...

 

If you are so worried about the well being of others, where were you - and your Horse - during any of the following

Trouble is, in the ten days since your infographic was made, deaths are up 4 fold to 36,000. Keep on like this, and in ten days, deaths will be 150,000, and ten days later 600,000 and by the end on April, 3.6 million, by the end of May, 250 million.

 

Or we could do something to stop it. Stay at home you idiots.

6 minutes ago, naboo said:

Or we could do something to stop it. 

 

Except staying-at home doesn't stop it. That's just a delay measure.

 

Only testing, identifying and isolating the infected stops it. That's what's called a containment measure.

 

That's why it's totally okay to ignore the social distancing nonsense. Not only is it totally false, it's actually counter-productive.

 

The sooner herd immunity happens, the better. It's the only way.

 

 

3 minutes ago, Logosone said:

 

The sooner herd immunity happens, the better. It's the only way.

 

 

I have nothing more to say. Darwin, do your work.

23 hours ago, FolkGuitar said:

 

Does that include the old Farang morons sitting and drinking together in front of the bars?

I saw at least four different groups of them, none wearing masks, sitting together at tables.

A bit hard drinking beer with a mask on wouldn't you say?

31 minutes ago, naboo said:

 

I have nothing more to say. Darwin, do your work.

He already has.

 

That's why some people can understand why social distancing is not going to stop this virus, and others, well...can't.

49 minutes ago, CharlieK said:

A bit hard drinking beer with a mask on wouldn't you say?

 

Easier than with a ventilator on... if he's lucky enough to get to a hospital that has one.

I've watched cigarette smoker/Throat Cancer patients smoke by holding their cigarette to the stoma surgically implanted in their throats when the Cancer was cut away. If they can do that, surely an alcoholic can find a way to get a bottle neck under a mask...

 

22 minutes ago, Logosone said:

That's why some people can understand why social distancing is not going to stop this virus, and others, well...can't.

 

It seems pretty obvious that you still haven't learned that social distancing isn't in use to 'stop' the virus.

 

The main purpose (but not the only one) of social distancing is to flatten the curve of people who contract the disease so that the critical care facilities aren't over-run with more patients at one time than they can handle at one time.

 

If you look at the rate of infection, it's clear that areas under social distancing guidelines are better able to care for the sick, have more equipment on hand, and staff who have been able to get some rest between patients to be able to function at their best with new patients.

 

Most of the articles about the MIT study on Turbulent Gas Clouds seem to misrepresent the study, have problems converting feet to meters (or metres) and/or just don't get the point. I have attached the study for your perusal.

Grin

jama_bourouiba_2020_it_200011.pdf

Apparently alcoholic drinks are now non-essential in Sakon Nakhon Province.

Can't buy a beer in any shop until April 16th. 

4 hours ago, grin said:

Most of the articles about the MIT study on Turbulent Gas Clouds seem to misrepresent the study, have problems converting feet to meters (or metres) and/or just don't get the point. I have attached the study for your perusal.

Grin

jama_bourouiba_2020_it_200011.pdf 344.54 kB · 2 downloads

It's quite funny though that governments have been forcing people to keep a "social distance" of 1.5 or 2 metres and the experts at MIT now say

 

"Peak exhalation speeds can reach up to 33 to 100 feet per second (10-30 m/s), creating a cloud that can span
approximately 23 to 27 feet (7-8 m)."

 

So this makes the social distancing advice from governments plain wrong, absurd, useless and unworkable.

 

So it's a good thing that Thais in Chiang Mai are simply ignoring this false advice of keeping 2 metres apart.

 

 

4 minutes ago, Logosone said:

It's quite funny though that governments have been forcing people to keep a "social distance" of 1.5 or 2 metres and the experts at MIT now say

 

"Peak exhalation speeds can reach up to 33 to 100 feet per second (10-30 m/s), creating a cloud that can span
approximately 23 to 27 feet (7-8 m)."

 

So this makes the social distancing advice from governments plain wrong, absurd, useless and unworkable.

 

So it's a good thing that Thais in Chiang Mai are simply ignoring this false advice of keeping 2 metres apart.

 

 

 

What is the spread when one is wearing a mask? Do you really think it's still 7-8m?

 

While the virus itself can pass through most masks, the virus can't travel on its own.

It has to hitch a ride on droplets from a cough or sneeze... and THOSE DROPLETS can NOT pass through most masks, making the wearing of them, and the maintenance of a social distance quite an effective measure to insure the flatten of the contagion curve.

I somewhat doubt that governments issued the 1.5 to 2 m social distancing advice based on the assumption everyone will be wearing a mask. The governments, like the WHO and most doctors and specialists advise not to wear a mask unless you are infected.

 

The fact is the governments got their social distancing advice wholly wrong, it was not based on solid scientific data, just a guesstimate, a hunch.  That is what social distancing is. There is equally no hard evidence to support that other social distancing measures will be an effective strategy with SARS Cov2. 

 

Closing off businesses that need clients to survive will do more harm than good. Poverty is the leading cause of premature death in the world.

 

Not Covid19.

 

Let's hope the stores open quickly.

20 minutes ago, Logosone said:

. The governments, like the WHO and most doctors and specialists advise not to wear a mask unless you are infected.

 

Please finish the sentence.  "WHO and most doctors and specialists advise not to wear a mask unless you are infected.... because it reduces the stock of masks desperately needed by health care professionals, and the supplies are low."  Not because they think them ineffective. If they did, the doctors and health care professionals wouldn't be wearing them.

 

Poverty is the leading cause of premature death in the world.

 

Interesting, but absurd assumption, quite untrue. Or... do you have a cite for this 'fact?'  Other than perhaps Wikipedia, that is...

There is a plethora of "facts" on the virus. If someone "in the field" says it, it must be true on its face. Here are some examples from Prince Songkla University infectious disease doctor, Prof. Khachornsakdi Silpapojakul:

 

* Patients wearing masks can reduce the spread of the virus by 90 per cent.

 

(Where does this figure come from? Where is the peer-reviewed study on this? Answer: Fake information.)

 

* There is a 50 per cent possibility of infection if persons sit together for 10 hours, or when a person is a meter from another.

 

(Another totally made up "statistic." (What a coincidence that both "sitting together" AND being a meter apart have the same chance of infection.) There is zero reproducible evidence of this. More fake information.)

 

* Ten seconds of holding hands can lead to a 70% chance of infection.

 

(Oh boy...just the open variables in this statement render it laughable.)

 

------------------------

 

GP: "'WHO and most doctors and specialists advise not to wear a mask unless you are infected.... because it reduces the stock of masks desperately needed by health care professionals, and the supplies are low.' Not because they think them ineffective. If they did, the doctors and health care professionals wouldn't be wearing them."

 

Let's be fair here. That really should read: "WHO and most doctors and specialists advise not to wear a N95 mask unless you are infected...."

 

They are talking about N95 masks. Simple paper or cloth masks are not in low supply, but the fact is that, as you say, medical teams working with infected people want/need these N95s.  So clearly it's the N95s that are effective not the poxy paper/cloth masks, since the medical people are not calling for them. Ergo, wearing them for the public isn't really a thing, unless everyone has an N95, which is as easy to find as hen's teeth. 

 

Moreover, from the WHO itself: "If you are healthy, you only need to wear a mask if you are taking care of a person with suspected 2019-nCoV infection."

 

Moreover II: During the SARS outbreaks, which is also a similar virus, we have this: 

 

 

[[ Surgical masks can’t protect against infection with SARS-CoV-2. Not only does the mask not filter out smaller aerosol particles, but air leakage also occurs through the sides of the mask as you inhale.

 

N95 respirators can protect against smaller respiratory droplets, such as those containing SARS-CoV-2. However, the CDC currently doesn’t recommend their use outside of healthcare settings. There are a variety of reasons for this, including:

• N95 respirators should be fit-tested in order to be used appropriately. A poor seal can lead to leakage, lowering the respirator’s effectiveness.
• Due to their tight fit, N95 respirators can become uncomfortable and stuffy, making them difficult to wear for extended periods of time.
• Our worldwide supply of N95 respirators is limited, making it critical that healthcare workers and first responders have ready access to them. ]]

--- https://www.healthline.com/health/coronavirus-mask#protection

 

Let's stick to the facts, not the, "Well, it sounds right," shall we? 

 

 

Happy to tell you I made it it to Kasem (on Rachawong) yesterday just before 6PM, and they were fully stocked with that wonderful "Goober Guys" peanut butter.

 

Was happy to hear that Khun Eek, our ancient, yet ever youthful, Lady Kasem, is fine ... she's a living treasure: I'll never forget her kindness to me 13 years ago during the worst part of my dance with cancer.

 

Funny thing, my late paternal grandfather (farmer, lost seven of his brothers and sisters in the 1918 pandemic) used to say: "truth is in spitting distance." Only after his death did I realize this was not a Zen koan: he may have been referring to the common practice of chewing tobacco, and spitting, among men of his generation and social class; he became wealthy at a young age, and lost it all in the great depression.

 

For you, and your families: my sincere hope you stay healthy and happy ! 

 

Okay, now we can go back to arguing, and creating "turbulent gas clouds" ????

 

~o:37;

14 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

that Prof. Khachornsakdi Silpapojakul said: "* Ten seconds of holding hands can lead to a 70% chance of infection."

 

What may have been omitted was the follow-up statement, which is rumored to have been a strong admonition to "omit foreplay, and just get it over with."

 

~o:37;

17 hours ago, canthai55 said:

Wonder what some people, perched on their High Horses ...

 

If you are so worried about the well being of others, where were you - and your Horse - during any of the following

 

Thank you. A voice of sanity, in this utterly inane economic shutdown, which is going to cripple hundreds of millions of people. The self employed, the people just barely getting by, the poor people of the world are going to experience a level of suffering and deprivation, that will be 100 times greater than what this virus will do. And for those of you who do not think martial law is a possibility, just wait. 

 

This JKEDCV (joy killer, and economically devastating coronavirus) is going to wreak havoc on many lives, not due to it's virility, but due to the zombie apocalypse over reaction of many societies around the world. 9 deaths in Thailand to date. About what we see in one area of Bangkok in one day, from pedestrian deaths. 

14 hours ago, Denim said:

My thermometer outside showed 47 C.

Was it in the sun or is it broken?  Correct measurement of temperature would not be that high.

on topic....

 

I see that the weed whackers and trimmers etc shops on the corner near the Maerim/superhighway are open as usual. PRACTICE SOCIAL GARDENING!

 

Also, oddly given the giant Siam TV is open, Tesco and Makro have their electronic sections cordoned off. 

 

57 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

 

Please finish the sentence.  "WHO and most doctors and specialists advise not to wear a mask unless you are infected.... because it reduces the stock of masks desperately needed by health care professionals, and the supplies are low."  Not because they think them ineffective. If they did, the doctors and health care professionals wouldn't be wearing them.

 

Interesting, but absurd assumption, quite untrue. Or... do you have a cite for this 'fact?'  Other than perhaps Wikipedia, that is...

I did finish the sentence, most doctors advise you should not wear a mask unless infected. This includes doctors wholly unconnected to the WHO. That is because they deem them ineffective and also because they rightly point out that hands are the real method of transmitting the disease:

 

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/health-51881555/coronavirus-do-face-masks-actually-work

 

Do I have a link for the fact that poverty is a leading cause of premature death? Would you expect anything else?

 

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-poverty-death/poverty-and-premature-death-still-firmly-linked-idUSTRE58A5UT20090911

2 minutes ago, Trujillo said:

 

Also, oddly given the giant Siam TV is open, Tesco and Makro have their electronic sections cordoned off. 

Big C, Tesco Makro all cordon off non-food sections because:

 

A) They do not want people lingering in their stores spreading the virus (so wholly selfish reasons) and 

 

B) To comply with the regulations issued by the local government (so again wholly selfish reasons).

 

 

1 hour ago, Logosone said:

https://www.bbc.com/news/av/health-51881555/coronavirus-do-face-masks-actually-work

 

 

Your article says, just as we all agree, that our wearing the masks don't protect us from contracting the virus. No one ever disputed this.

The fact does remain, though, that our wearing a mask protects OTHER PEOPLE should we happen to be contagious and not know it.  Lots of us think about others... we call it Social Responsibility.

 

Quote

Do I have a link for the fact that poverty is a leading cause of premature death? Would you expect anything else?

 

Once again, your article was interesting, but nowhere in it does it say that poverty is the LEADING CAUSE OF ALL PREMATURE DEATH.  It just links poverty WITH premature death.

 

Please wear a mask if you are going to be around others. Not for your sake, but for theirs.