For how much longer do we have to wear masks in supermarkets for?

[Estrada]

We have been wearing masks here long before COVID-19 because of air pollution. Not withstanding the farmer's burning season, COVID-19 has greatly reduced PM2.5 air pollution worldwide. The problem is that Corona Virus is PM1.2 and also invisible. Every few days the government intercepts people coming across the border illegally and some are infected. It takes only one infected person to infect you and you can become one of the second wave superspreaders. Every day in the U.S. many people who refused to wear masks have died due to COVID-19. If you went into a building with Blue Asbestos, you would want to wear a mask wouldn't you.

[Peter Denis]

What is it with all this media BS about a second wave maybe coming back to Thailand.

There hasn't even been a first wave of covid in Thailand, or it was a silent undertow that passed unnoticed in the months preceding the March outbreak.

The scare-mongers are using the figures of the US and Europe situation where measures to address the situation are indeed quite necessary, to prove the 'necessity' of a similar or preferably even more strict regime in Thailand. 

But the Thai figures - even while being clearly under-reported - are demonstrating that Thailand is virtually covid-free.  Advocating social-distancing and mask-wearing with not one reported domestic case for 3 months (!) on a population of almost 70 million is pure paranoia.

I am much more afraid of a 2nd wave of ill-thought out panic measures enforced if a few domestic cases would pop-up, than of the actual 'killer' disease.

To put things in perspective, take a look at the chart below.  And the risk of becoming INFECTED is already practically zero in Thailand.

 

Edited September 3, 2020 by Peter Denis

[billsmart]

We will have to wear masks in supermarkets and all other public spaces where we cannot reliably social-distance until the Thai government tells us they are no longer required. I assume that will be many months after a vaccine has been developed, if that proves possible, and enough people have been vaccinated that the government feels the threat of COVID-19 has been significantly reduced.

But, I think that the wearing of masks and social distancing are going to be the "new norm," and will just become a part of our everyday life, like wearing shoes and clothes.

[Fairynuff]

18 hours ago, Thaiwrath said:

I go to a local mall for a cup of tea once a week, to meet a couple of friends. I am not permitted to enter the mall without a mask, but having walked probably 60 yards to where we sit, which is not partitioned off from the rest of the mall, I am then allowed to sit there mask free for the duration of my stay !

A bit contradictory to the necessity to wear a mask. 

You could always poke a hole through your mask to drink your weekly cuppa

[Fairynuff]

19 hours ago, 2long said:

I'm currently in a Japanese restaurant in a shopping centre.

I put a mask on as I walked in, only so I don't get glared at, spoken to or otherwise. Many people here not wearing them. No temperature check but a guard sitting at the entrance if I insist on one. 

i strongly feel that Covid passed through Thailand a year ago and it's done most of the damage it's likely to here, and around much of the globe. Governments are either scared to be different and allow life to go on, or they want to control their people.

I'm very bored of Covid19

Bored to death?

[Fairynuff]

18 hours ago, evadgib said:

I recon the rest of the world will start taking theirs off from 4th Nov. How long the 'Mexican wave' takes to reach LoS isn't yet clear but if they want tourists for Christmas some U turns can be expected.

IMO the whole thing was little more than seasonal flu, aided and abetted by politically motivated espionage & skulduggery.

HTH

Great sense of humour you have

[itsallmine68]

We do as we are told. It doesnt both me at all

[robertson468]

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I get it, in Europe and the US. I do. But here? No new cases in 90 days and people are still buying into the apocalypse? What is the point of masks, at this stage? What is there to spread? Any remaining cases were gone long ago. Sanity and rationale, please. 

And you can guarantee that there will not be some who breach the Thai Borders (as has already happened) and are infected with the Virus and spread it like wildfire.  No I didn't think so Mr Medically Unqualified!  A mask is just a minor invonvenience.  An infection could be terminal.

[grobec]

20 hours ago, spidermike007 said:

I get it, in Europe and the US. I do. But here? No new cases in 90 days and people are still buying into the apocalypse? What is the point of masks, at this stage? What is there to spread? Any remaining cases were gone long ago. Sanity and rationale, please. 

Wearing a mask is a small price to pay to protect our society and freedoms. I get that we are fortunate to be in a less affected country but the virus is still out there. Like wearing a seatbelt, we get used to it and in most cases appreciate the added safety “ in case”.

the next 12 months here in Thailand will be dangerous as we open up To the rest of the world and god forbid we fall into the disgusting situation that is ongoing in USA ( as an example). 
let us all help by setting a good example and that we have respect For this country and our neighbors.
the lives we save may include our own

 

[rumak]

19 hours ago, bodga said:

better still masks  under the chin.

that is the newest fashion statement.    helmets in the front basket have moved down a notch to number 5.

[rumak]

1 hour ago, billsmart said:

We will have to wear masks in supermarkets and all other public spaces where we cannot reliably social-distance until the Thai government tells us they are no longer required. I assume that will be many months after a vaccine has been developed, if that proves possible, and enough people have been vaccinated that the government feels the threat of COVID-19 has been significantly reduced.

But, I think that the wearing of masks and social distancing are going to be the "new norm," and will just become a part of our everyday life, like wearing shoes and clothes.

i have invented a mask that is in two folds.   with just a quick snap you can undo the fold and it becomes perfect size to carry as a spare pair of underwear.    Very useful for those who easily panic

when someone nearby coughs or sneezes.

 

send 1.99  to Rumak    email:  ijuskidingu 55  @ farcemail .com

[scorecard]

Do you ever watch the Thai news or the international news. 

 

The answer to your question is very very obviously in the 'Covid 19 death rates', 'new infections' rates and the 'positive' tests, and the 'spread' when positives are discovered is reducing.

 

Plus the full certification of a vaccine and large numbers of people have already been vaccinated and many more will be quickly vaccinated going forward and vaccination is clearly helping in terms of deaths, positives etc.

 

Timelines? At this stage unknown. 

 

Not difficult to understand. 

Edited September 3, 2020 by scorecard

[Bangkok Barry]

21 hours ago, Poet said:

Those impositions are tiny compared to what is happening in other countries. Just be glad that you can go to a restaurant, or wander around those shopping centers with no fear of getting infected.

I get that wearing a mask is not pleasant, but they might have played some part, along with other factors such as the hot weather, in allowing Thailand to escape the first wave. If so, it is a small price to pay to continue having so much freedom in other, more important ways. Remember, this situation is almost certainly going to last a few years, and could actually hit Thailand pretty hard in the cooler weather.

 

There is no scientific proof at all that hot or cold weather has any effect on the virus. And cold is relative, isn't it? Cold in Thailand is still very warm for many countries. Thais start huddling round fires at 20 degrees. What some northern countries are worried about is the winter flu season combining with the totally separate covid-19 and overwhelming the health care system.

But to address the question from the OP, an increasing number of people are not wearing a mask anymore. My wife went to a temple gathering yesterday, and there was no social distancing and only three in the photos I saw out of over 100 there were wearing a mask. Even the girl checking my temperature as I enter Tesco doesn't even bother looking at her device anymore.

 

With no cases recorded for months outside of a few quarantined arrivals, the chance of anyone transmitting the virus has to be zero. It is no surprise then that mask fatigue has very much set in, although the big stores will continue to go through the pantomime until Big Brother in parliament tells them to stop. As their desire is control of the people in as many ways as possible, that might be some time away.

[rwill]

I would say until either there is a vaccine or the worldwide infections drop to an extremely low number.

[Peter Denis]

1 hour ago, robertson468 said:

...

An infection could be terminal.

See the chart in post #182 above, to put that statement somewhat in perspective.

[Surelynot]

43 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

With no cases recorded for months outside of a few quarantined arrivals, the chance of anyone transmitting the virus has to be zero.

It does, however, beg the question...... what testing has been taking place outside of quarantine suspects? The reason Thailand is a no fly country for the UK is because of a serious lack of testing......Trump was right....if you don't test you don't get positive results.

[AAArdvark]

21 hours ago, Poet said:

Those impositions are tiny compared to what is happening in other countries. Just be glad that you can go to a restaurant, or wander around those shopping centers with no fear of getting infected.

I get that wearing a mask is not pleasant, but they might have played some part, along with other factors such as the hot weather, in allowing Thailand to escape the first wave. If so, it is a small price to pay to continue having so much freedom in other, more important ways. Remember, this situation is almost certainly going to last a few years, and could actually hit Thailand pretty hard in the cooler weather.

 

"Hot weather" has been debunked ages ago.  Just ask the people in Florida, Texas, Indonesia or the Philippines.  In some places in the Philippines, like where I live, we have to wear face masks and face shields inside of public places, outside walking and inside transportation.  In the case of a motorcycle, the requirement is a mask, a shield, a helmet and if there are two riders there needs to be a shield between them.  In my city alone, there have been well over 500 arrests for violations.  The penalty is ~ $21 for the first offense and by the time you get to the 3rd offense it is ~ $100 plus jail time.  The Gestapo even enters private property to enforce the rules.  Then, of course, we have nightly curfews too with arrest and detention for violators. 

[spidermike007]

52 minutes ago, Bangkok Barry said:

There is no scientific proof at all that hot or cold weather has any effect on the virus. And cold is relative, isn't it? Cold in Thailand is still very warm for many countries. Thais start huddling round fires at 20 degrees. What some northern countries are worried about is the winter flu season combining with the totally separate covid-19 and overwhelming the health care system.

But to address the question from the OP, an increasing number of people are not wearing a mask anymore. My wife went to a temple gathering yesterday, and there was no social distancing and only three in the photos I saw out of over 100 there were wearing a mask. Even the girl checking my temperature as I enter Tesco doesn't even bother looking at her device anymore.

 

With no cases recorded for months outside of a few quarantined arrivals, the chance of anyone transmitting the virus has to be zero. It is no surprise then that mask fatigue has very much set in, although the big stores will continue to go through the pantomime until Big Brother in parliament tells them to stop. As their desire is control of the people in as many ways as possible, that might be some time away.

Thank you. A voice of reason, in the wilderness of panic mongering. An intellectually based thought. How very refreshing. 

 

If there are no new cases in over 90 days, how can it still be here? And if it not here, how can it be transmitted? The army thrives on fear. Many are playing right into that, by maintaining fearful and sheepish beliefs. 

 

Simple concepts. Yet, hard for many to embrace. 

 

Some seem to derive some sort of energy from the fear of a Zombie Apocalypse. 

 

Sorry. Homey don't play that game. 

Edited September 3, 2020 by spidermike007

[spidermike007]

10 hours ago, tribalfusion001 said:

We will see, but I'm not convinced about this pandemic, it's very hard to find anyone I know who has had it (officially). I know of one person in the UK and no one in Thailand.

My nephew and his GF both got it in the US. Mild symptoms for a few days, and then gone. Very few without pre-existing conditions are taken down by it. Also, diet appears to be a big factor. Eating junk daily lowers the immune system. Basic common sense. 

[NoshowJones]

21 hours ago, Oldie said:

There is a reason that there are no new cases and we should not start here like in Europe or in the US. I don't have a problem with the mask. I have more problems if people think they are above the law and don't use them. 

I am above every law that I don't agree with, and usually find a way around them.

[sirocco]

Definitely not, post 196

 

Sacred  TRUMP!
This is the truth of La PALICE.

[spidermike007]

At this rate, probably years. And all cloth masks do is to prevent someone who is already infected, from spreading it. With no infections here, it is tantamount to a horror stage play. 

[NoshowJones]

22 hours ago, polpott said:

Rules is rules. If you want to live in the country you abide by the rules. not make them.

 

No new cases in 90 days is a good thing na?

Welcome to the scared of your own shadow brigade.

[NoshowJones]

21 hours ago, Keyser Soze666 said:

So as I suspected no one knows.

 

MODS - Pls closed thread.

Mods, please leave it as it is, it's quite interesting. 

[NoshowJones]

21 hours ago, userabcd said:

Lets hope it contunues for a long time.

 

This past year is the first time in many years I have not come down with a cold or the flu.

I haven't had the flu since around 1980.

[polpott]

10 minutes ago, possum1931 said:

Welcome to the scared of your own shadow brigade.

Not at all. I know that wearing masks in Thailand serves no preventative purpose. I do it out of the respect for the people I live amongst.

[NoshowJones]

1 minute ago, polpott said:

Not at all. I know that wearing masks in Thailand serves no preventative purpose. I do it out of the respect for the people I live amongst.

I wasn't referring to wearing masks, I was referring to people who automatically obey every law.

By the way, do you wear underpants or drive shirtless? ????

[polpott]

Just now, possum1931 said:

I wasn't referring to wearing masks, I was referring to people who automatically obey every law.

By the way, do you wear underpants or drive shirtless? ????

No and no.

[Flying Saucage]

20 minutes ago, spidermike007 said:

At this rate, probably years. And all cloth masks do is to prevent someone who is already infected, from spreading it. With no infections here, it is tantamount to a horror stage play. 

Yes Mike.

 

But keep in mind that it is as likely that Thailand really has zero cases as it is in Turkmenistan and North Korea, which are the only 2 other countries of reasonable size, which self-claim to be virus free, and which have dictatorships in power with governments as honest and honorable as the Thai government.

 

[NoshowJones]

1 minute ago, polpott said:

No and no.

Well you had better be careful not to get involved in any accidents, can't be breaking any laws now, can we?