27 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Australia now saying toddlers are spreading the virus. US data showing high rates of infection and transmission from children.

But we must consider if the benefits of children going to school, and not missing out on the opportunity of learning in their prime years outweigh the risk.

1 minute ago, sungod said:

But we must consider if the benefits of children going to school, and not missing out on the opportunity of learning in their prime years outweigh the risk.

Indeed. The virus isn't going to magically disappear.  Sensible Covid protocols and vaccinations are required, but schools need to be able to open again soon.  

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

Indeed. The virus isn't going to magically disappear.  Sensible Covid protocols and vaccinations are required, but schools need to be able to open again soon.  

There is a balance and the balance has gone too far. 
When you have village after village of families out of work and on the breadline and the children not even able to go to school, when there are absolutely zero cases within miles then that balance is wrong and needs addressing. 
 

Which  is what will happen shortly imo

2 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Keep us posted.  It sounds unworkable for me and hopefully will just be for the Phuket sandbox situation.  I can't see all the international schools in Bangkok adopting something so unworkable and, in my opinion, unreasonable!

Yep, agreed. Cant see the major international schools in Thailand considering this. Just look at who owns Rugby, do you think the owners would suggest opening on the chance some of its parents are whisked off to a field hospital?

Richest man in Thailand says COVID-19 is like a World War, the kingdom could end up a big loser

 

The latest test for the government comes as the country’s last engine of economic growth finds itself under attack from the Delta variant of the virus causing a nightmare for exporters who are struggling to meet orders. As the government announced plans for a ‘Factory Sandbox’ programme targeting 60 large factories, the Chairman of the Thai National Shippers’ Council Chaichan Chareonsuk has warned that at least 1,500 factories are currently experiencing difficulties.

 

https://www.thaiexaminer.com/thai-news-foreigners/2021/08/20/tycoon-dhanin-fears-for-economy-long-term/

Phuket this evening are reporting 101 new infections, 2 Sandbox and 1 further fatality.

 

https://www.facebook.com/phuketinfocenter/posts/369831984671984

17 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Indeed. The virus isn't going to magically disappear.  Sensible Covid protocols and vaccinations are required, but schools need to be able to open again soon.  

Absolutely, vaccinations first are the key and sensible protocols after that, similar to those imposed in the UK once vaccination levels were high enough. Until then we have to wait. Its all very well repeating that its important but we also all know its just not possible yet.

19 minutes ago, sungod said:

But we must consider if the benefits of children going to school, and not missing out on the opportunity of learning in their prime years outweigh the risk.

What is the risk? Just asking. Prayut said some risk must be taken to open up Thailaind mid October. It will not be long now since he said that that 10,000 people will have died. Is this an acceptable risk to be put onto the citizens of the country. Still 8 wks to go so the deaths will continue. Do the benefits outweigh the risks? 

Would it not be easier to just silence the nonsense with a click of the ignore button ?

The replies to the baiting is what they live for, let them only spout their nonsense to each other

well over 23000 reported for Friday

5 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Absolutely, vaccinations first are the key and sensible protocols after that, similar to those imposed in the UK once vaccination levels were high enough. Until then we have to wait. Its all very well repeating that its important but we also all know its just not possible yet.

Of course it’s possible. 
 

There are vast areas away from the cities where there are no cases and no reason to stay closed whilst the teachers spend all day on the internet pretending they are schooling. 
 

These kids need a proper face to face education not a test sheet that takes half hour to complete. 

4 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Absolutely, vaccinations first are the key and sensible protocols after that, similar to those imposed in the UK once vaccination levels were high enough. Until then we have to wait. Its all very well repeating that its important but we also all know its just not possible yet.

Test, trace, isolate and vaccinate. See today NSW is bringing in an overnight curfew but only in the worst affected areas. Best public response I've heard so far is why wasn't this done at the beginning of the outbreak and for all of Sydney not just cluster areas. Seem to remember similar things being said on here some 4 months ago.

7 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

Of course it’s possible. 
 

There are vast areas away from the cities where there are no cases and no reason to stay closed whilst the teachers spend all day on the internet pretending they are schooling. 
 

These kids need a proper face to face education not a test sheet that takes half hour to complete. 

How exactly, what protocols would be put in place? How would it be managed? How would provisions for isolation be implemented when cases occur, whats the plan?

 

What provinces exactly are free from cases? What level of virus would be the acceptable number in a province to open?

 

Why do you think other countries have all done the same as Thailand - bar a couple who have far higher death rates?

 

Teachers who are off and "pretending" as you claim, what do you suggest? Fire them? Or do as other countries and keep them on until its over so there is still a workforce there?

 

There are no provinces free from delta in Thailand, its a dangerous virus and Thailand is still in its epicenter. 

 

 

Edited August 20, 20214 yr by Bkk Brian

20 minutes ago, Bkk Brian said:

Absolutely, vaccinations first are the key and sensible protocols after that, similar to those imposed in the UK once vaccination levels were high enough. Until then we have to wait. Its all very well repeating that its important but we also all know its just not possible yet.

Not yet, but hopefully very soon!  Unfortunately it will be many months before Thailand reaches UK levels of vaccinations, and maybe it's unlikely that it ever will.  But schools cannot remain closed for many months or forever. 

20 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Not yet, but hopefully very soon!  Unfortunately it will be many months before Thailand reaches UK levels of vaccinations, and maybe it's unlikely that it ever will.  But schools cannot remain closed for many months or forever. 

It’s not going to happen imo 
 

The economy will be number one and education number two as it should be. 
 

The balance will shortly be addressed and I expect the lockdown to end shortly followed by the restricted opening whilst keeping up the existing vac rates or hopefully increasing them. 
 

Optimistic? Yes. But this country has not got a furlough scheme and rural homes 5G and personal laptops. 
 

They cannot follow the model of the West. Time is running out and the balance needs to be swung back before the decimation of generations  far outweighs the sad deaths of predominate older people, many with pre conditions. 
 

 

 

Edited August 20, 20214 yr by Kadilo

8 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

But schools cannot remain closed for many months or forever. 

Yeah, my kid is getting dumber by the minute!   In his defence he can recite verbatim the dialog of almost all Curious George and Dinosaur Adventure episodes... so that's something right   ????

 

I'm kidding, he's a good kid.

Edited August 20, 20214 yr by fondue zoo

4 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

Yeah, my kid is getting dumber by the minute!   In his defence he can recite verbatim the dialog of almost all Curious George and Dinosaur Adventure episodes... so that's something right   ????

 

I'm kidding, he's a good kid.

I sympathise.  My kid has become addicted to Roblox, picked up some great bad language (Jesus H Christ, I'm literally dead, Hell's Bells) and hasn't seen or played with someone his own age since April!  The absence of socialisation with other kids and the health effects of being "locked down" in a small condo are horrendous. 

3 minutes ago, fondue zoo said:

Yeah, my kid is getting dumber by the minute!   In his defence he can recite verbatim the dialog of almost all Curious George and Dinosaur Adventure episodes... so that's something right   ????

 

I'm kidding, he's a good kid.

I don't know the answer to this but what was the education system like in the UK, France, Germany etc in WWII? That was four years. Just a thought. 

Trolling posts and responses removed.

1 minute ago, dinsdale said:

I don't know the answer to this but what was the education system like in the UK, France, Germany etc in WWII? That was four years. Just a thought. 

Are you comparing the pandemic to the Nazis? ????

4 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

I sympathise.  My kid has become addicted to Roblox, picked up some great bad language (Jesus H Christ, I'm literally dead, Hell's Bells) and hasn't seen or played with someone his own age since April!  The absence of socialisation with other kids and the health effects of being "locked down" in a small condo are horrendous. 

I know many children on the same position. Playing endless games on phones to kill the time and boredom. 
 

Lockdowns affect everyone but these children will be suffering for years after it’s all over. 

Edited August 20, 20214 yr by Kadilo

Just now, brewsterbudgen said:

I sympathise.  My kid has become addicted to Roblox, picked up some great bad language (Jesus H Christ, I'm literally dead, Hell's Bells) and hasn't seen or played with someone his own age since April!  The absence of socialisation with other kids and the health effects of being "locked down" in a small condo are horrendous. 

That is indeed a bad situation. socialisation is one of the most important parts of schooling. Home schoolers would disagree with this. You really need to mask up and go out for walks if you're not doing this.

3 minutes ago, brewsterbudgen said:

Are you comparing the pandemic to the Nazis? ????

No, I'm not LOL. But how did schooling go when cities were being bombed. In a war zone. Something I've never really seen or heard anything about. Like I said just a thought.

24 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

They cannot follow the model of the West. Time is running out and the balance needs to be swung back before the decimation of generations  far outweighs the sad deaths of predominate older people, many with pre conditions. 

I actually find this remark extremely offensive! What gives you the right to make a comment like this? Myself and many other retirees plus the older generation of Thais have every damn right to live to the best of our abilities. It certainly does not need others to play the part of God. And just remember that Delta does not discriminate whether you are young or old! I would strongly suggest that you engage the brain and just think before you write!!

6 minutes ago, worrab said:

I actually find this remark extremely offensive! What gives you the right to make a comment like this? Myself and many other retirees plus the older generation of Thais have every damn right to live to the best of our abilities. It certainly does not need others to play the part of God. And just remember that Delta does not discriminate whether you are young or old! I would strongly suggest that you engage the brain and just think before you write!!

If you find that offensive then you must be a tad sensitive. I’m struggling to see how that is offensive but each to their own.
I was making the point that the vast majority of victims are elderly and with pre con. The biggest sufferers imo will be the younger generation 

 

My priority is with them. Your view is different. 
 

No offence intended. 
 

 

Edited August 20, 20214 yr by Kadilo

25 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

That is indeed a bad situation. socialisation is one of the most important parts of schooling. Home schoolers would disagree with this. You really need to mask up and go out for walks if you're not doing this.

Living in central Bangkok, it was easier to go for walks when the parks were open. We try our best - masked all the time.

Just a little reminder of schools and the dangers of them opening while the pandemic is still ravaging Thailand and vaccination rates are low:

 

Thailand Cluster at an Islamic school leads to cases in 12 Provinces from Beta variant.

 

As many as 3,000 Thai minors catching COVID-19 every day

 

12-18 year-olds in Thailand with 7 diseases urged to get Pfizer vaccine

 

Bangkok Administration Opens Care Center for Children with COVID-19

 

Thailand COVID-19 help centre set up for vulnerable children, over 65,000 test positive this year

 

34,000 children in UK suffering from long Covid, ONS survey suggests

 

Children make up 20% of all new COVID-19 cases across the U.S.

 

Thailand About 5,000 children have lost a parent to Covid-19. No link, B.P. article

 

 

Yes lets protect the children, infact lets also protect their parents, grandparents and everyone else.

 

 

Edited August 20, 20214 yr by Bkk Brian

18 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

If you find that offensive then you must be a tad sensitive. I’m struggling to see how that is offensive but each to their own.
I was making the point that the vast majority of victims are elderly and with pre con. The biggest sufferers imo will be the younger generation 

 

My priority is with them. Your view is different. 
 

No offence intended. 
 

 

Empathy is a human value. Unfortunately like many values some have them and some don't. For me an older person has the same right to life as anyone else. Of course there can come a time when the quality of life becomes a problem but generally this is not because of a pandemic. Every single person who has died from this virus has had their life cut short.

Edited August 20, 20214 yr by dinsdale

7 minutes ago, Kadilo said:

If you find that offensive then you must be a tad sensitive. I’m struggling to see how that is offensive but each to their own.
I was making the point that the vast majority of victims are elderly and with pre con. The biggest sufferers imo will be the younger generation 

 

My priority is with them. Your view is different. 
 

No offence intended. 
 

 

You just do not get it! I am not the sensitive type but your remark is bang out of order! Just because we are elderly and may have medical conditions does not mean that our life should be shortened for any reason. And, as I said earlier, the younger generation are just as much at risk! Children can die or pass on delta to older people whether that be parents or grand parents. And complete classes if opened up too quickly could infect many households.?And then what? More orphaned children? Upshot is to get this under control with vaccine to everybody asap which this government with its ineptitude is failing to do. It is the poorer regions that should be getting financial help instead of purchasing military junk and financing space programmes! Lives across the board are far more important.

10 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

Empathy is a human value. Unfortunately like many values some have them and some don't. For me an older person has the same right to life as anyone else. Of course there can come a time when the quality of life becomes a problem but generally this is not because of a pandemic. Every single person who has died from this virus has had their life cut short.

I really need to edit this. I should have said, and in fear of anthropomorphising values and empathy, many mammals display this trait. Guess it's just some humans that don't.

Edited August 20, 20214 yr by dinsdale