27 minutes ago, placeholder said:

Why should I sacrifice my time to listen to a covid vaccine skeptic push a theory that is pretty much derided in the psychological community. The fact that he appears for podcast interviews alongside outliears like Peter McCullough and Robert Malone says enough.

https://apnews.com/article/coronavirus-pandemic-science-health-joe-rogan-ap-fact-check-a87b1044c6256968dcc33886a36c949f

Exactly the answer I was expecting, enough said indeed.

33 minutes ago, outsider said:

Before the pandemic, some Thais wore masks in crowded places i.e. in the trains, shopping centres etc. Some of my colleagues come into the office with masks because they woke up with a bit of a sniffle that morning. Whether they are being considerate and mindful of not sharing their droplets with others, or they do not want to receive any, or they just want to hide behind a veil, let them be. As far as I can see, mask-wearing was never an issue pre-pandemic and shouldn't be one now. If you want to wear it, go ahead. If not, don't. 

 

Show me a single medical authority who doesn't recommend continued mask wearing in enclosed areas.

1 hour ago, rattlesnake said:

 

https://cognitiveresearchjournal.springeropen.com/articles/10.1186/s41235-022-00360-2

 

The current study provides evidence for quantitative and qualitative changes in the processing of masked faces in children. Changes in face recognition performance and alteration in the processing of partially occluded faces could have significant effects on children’s social interactions with their peers and their ability to form relationships with educators. Previous research in adults has already demonstrated the detrimental effect of reduced face perception abilities on one’s level of social confidence and quality of life (Lane et al., 2018). Given the recent increased uptake in mask-wearing due to the COVID-19 pandemic, future research should explore the social and psychological ramifications of wearing masks on children’s performance.

 

 

 

 

And other research and reports say otherwise:

Does mask wearing harm your child's development? Experts weigh in

"Concerns that wearing masks might interfere with these natural learning experiences and communication skills have been studied before the pandemic.

 

When children ages 3 to 8 viewed faces covered with face masks, they didn't show any impairment in classifying the expressions, according to a 2012 study published in the journal Cognition. This suggested that children under 9 preferred studying the eyes area even when they could see full faces, the researchers wrote.

...

Given these findings and children's innate flexibility in adapting to challenges or catching up, some experts aren't suspecting any long-term effects of mask-wearing on children's development."

 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/11/health/masks-child-development-effects-covid-pandemic-wellness/index.html

 

 

1 minute ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

 

 

And other research and reports say otherwise:

Does mask wearing harm your child's development? Experts weigh in

"Concerns that wearing masks might interfere with these natural learning experiences and communication skills have been studied before the pandemic.

When children ages 3 to 8 viewed faces covered with face masks, they didn't show any impairment in classifying the expressions, according to a 2012 study published in the journal Cognition. This suggested that children under 9 preferred studying the eyes area even when they could see full faces, the researchers wrote.

...

Given these findings and children's innate flexibility in adapting to challenges or catching up, some experts aren't suspecting any long-term effects of mask-wearing on children's development."

 

https://www.cnn.com/2021/08/11/health/masks-child-development-effects-covid-pandemic-wellness/index.html

 

 

Thanks for that. There are always opposing viewpoints regarding scientific issues. In this particular case, one can read the articles I posted, then read yours, and make an informed decision based on what one believes to be true.

And regarding some bogus claims that have been raised here:

Mask Mythbusters: Common Questions about Kids & Face Masks

American Academy of Pediatrics

"Can masks interfere with a child's lung development?

No, wearing a face mask will not affect your child 's lungs from developing normally...

Do masks trap the carbon dioxide that we normally breathe out?

No. There have been false reports that face masks can lead to carbon dioxide poisoning (known as hypercapnia) from re-breathing the air we normally breathe out. But this is not true...

Can masks lead to a weaker immune system by putting the body under stress?

No. Wearing a face mask does not weaken your immune system or increase your chances of getting sick if exposed to the COVID-19 virus."

 

https://www.healthychildren.org/English/health-issues/conditions/COVID-19/Pages/Mask-Mythbusters.aspx

 

And further:

Do masks really harm kids? Here's what the science says.

As more states drop mask mandates, experts explain why keeping them on in schools is still a smart move for families and teachers

...

"How masks affect language development

...

"But experts say there’s no clear evidence that this significantly impairs a child’s ability to communicate—perhaps because people can compensate by talking more slowly and loudly and by using hand gestures to convey meaning."

...

How masks affect social development

...

Similarly, studies do show that children have a harder time reading the emotions of people who are wearing masks—but that doesn’t necessarily prevent them from learning how to interact with others.

...

How masks affect mental health

Similarly, while some argue that school masking mandates are harmful to a child’s mental health, experts say the evidence suggests the opposite."

 

https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/do-masks-really-harm-kids-heres-what-the-science-says

 

 

Fact check: Do mask mandates harm early childhood development?

...

"In a Dec. 6, 2021 Science brief, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention noted that limited available data indicates "no clear evidence that masking impairs emotional or language development in children."

 

"A study of 2-year-old children concluded that they were able to recognize familiar words presented without a mask and when hearing words through opaque masks," according to the brief. "Among children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD), interventions including positive reinforcement and coaching caregivers to teach mask wearing have improved participants’ ability to wear a face mask. These findings suggest that even children who may have difficulty wearing a mask can do so effectively through targeted interventions."

 

https://www.wral.com/fact-check-do-mask-mandates-harm-early-childhood-development/20137991/

 

Covid is storming back here, Britain,  Portugal and now is not the time  to be ditching masks

If I remember correctly most Thailand people wear masks regardless. I think the trend will not go away whatever the government says.

I will be continue wearing mine.

Personally I don't see a problem with it.

 

Masks?

Up to you.

What's the big deal?

17 hours ago, webfact said:

As evidence of the reluctance to ditch their masks the media went to a local shrine popular with tourists where most people were still wearing them saying that the virus was still a threat and it was better to be safe than sorry. 

Seems the people have more savvy than the government.

The virus is all around us, and is not in decline as they would like us to think.

Also the threat of pollution is still prevalent.

Thailand is a free country.

 

They don't have to listen to the Farang Unmask Police.????

 

THAILAND ???????? THAILAND ???????? THAILAND ????????

Does anyone know if Thai News broadcasters are still wearing the stupid masks on air?

 

Its funny they did not wear masks for a looong time after Covid hit.....Then one day BOOM......

 

All the news people put masks on... on almost  exactly the same day on all the T.V channels.........I guess some who was running the Thailand branch of the Covid show gave them all marching orders....  

I keep the mask on here in Aus as well.

Will do the same when we come back to Thailand in November.

 

Current cases here is still the same as in the major infection period.

Victoria has over 6,000 per day with over 450 in hospital.

 

Chuck the mask..?? I think NOT.

I will continue wearing my mask in Bangkok because of this.

19 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

If they want to wear a mask then they should. I took a walk this morning, no mask and 99% of the Thai people I passed wore them. I dont think you can expect anything else considering the fear they have been made to feel.

Seems in my village most people are not too worried for COVID. People seem to mostly wear masks in shops, crowded markets and such. Which I believe people mostly do for the sake of other people that might be scared.

 

Since cities are more crowded in general compared to villages, I can understand why many people still choose to wear masks in the cities.

 

I hate masks, but wear them any crowded areas where I see many Thais wearing them. I don't want Thai people feel bad about foreigners. Though otherwise I wouldn't bother.

It's up to everybody now how to deal with the mask-matter. Respect for eachother is all what we need in this situation. I for myself don't wear it anymore and I will not find anybody in Thailand to complain , even being the only one in a shop i.e.

This is Thailand.

23 hours ago, daveAustin said:

Not knocking Thais here, but there is a bit of a sheeple mentality throughout Asia. Ditching their masks will be a slow process. ????

Ordinary Asians know that their medical facilities are one notch below that of western countries. 

Asia didn't have much of an economy before the 1980s, but Europeans has been filthy rich for 200 years.

Asia still have little in terms of social safety nets when compared to most European countries. 

Having long term covid reduced lung capacities means long term poverty.  

God blessed me, but " God didn't bless most Asians ". 

 

On 6/27/2022 at 1:36 PM, JoePai said:

Tell that to the Japanese 

Like he said sheeple mentality and that applies directly to the Japanese. Does make it easier for them when applying a directive which has some advantages. Japan is going to take some time before people begin removing masks in public. 

18 hours ago, FarAway said:

Wait. But why this country got hundreds of years of military rule and control? Why this did not happened in Europe for example?

Exactly. Every population get what it deserves and what they are asking for or not fighting against.

please don't hold Europe up as a shining light of purity and hope. it's just as corrupt as Thailand but they just hide it very well.

2 hours ago, Johnnyngai said:

Ordinary Asians know that their medical facilities are one notch below that of western countries. 

Asia didn't have much of an economy before the 1980s, but Europeans has been filthy rich for 200 years.

Asia still have little in terms of social safety nets when compared to most European countries. 

Having long term covid reduced lung capacities means long term poverty.  

God blessed me, but " God didn't bless most Asians ". 

 

Europe got rich by plundering Asia so anything that comes out of their mouths is automatically suspect.

3 hours ago, Mike Galley said:

It's up to everybody now how to deal with the mask-matter. Respect for eachother is all what we need in this situation. I for myself don't wear it anymore and I will not find anybody in Thailand to complain , even being the only one in a shop i.e.

This is Thailand.

so how is not wearing a mask in a shop showing respect for other people? methinks you need to go back to kreng jai school.

15 hours ago, Thai Visa Member 999999 said:

Maybe Thais took a look at how tens of thousands of people died in Europe and US and said, "no thanks." Why it matters to farang what other people do sorta undermines their "go alone " mindset that they claim to exhibit.

*millions 

23 hours ago, StevieAus said:

I was in the UK last week and think you will be in the minority the only people I saw wearing masks were Asian students

that says more about the "Great" British then it does the Asian students. they wouldn't have won the Battle of Britain with such a lack of community spirit.

I went to the supermarket today in Pattaya with no mask and every single other person had a mask on.......No one said a word to me, but it was a pretty sad sight see all those masks....Then I went to the outdoor market and I would guess about 80% were masked up, and with the farangs I guess it was about 50/50 .......

14 hours ago, placeholder said:

It seems to me that it's more associated with one's political bent. Mostly it comes from the right wingers.

it's pure selfishness. yet they lambast "the Thais* for being selfish ????

22 hours ago, ozimoron said:

I see two people who realise that masks keep the dust and bugs out of their lungs so they continue to wear them.

 

The comments about sheeple are ignorant. Thais are brought up to be deferential and polite. They wear masks out of politeness and also realise that they actually stop a lot of respiratory infections besides covid. Until covid is actually gone, they will continue to wear masks. Thais, unlike some foreigners, are not oblivious to rising levels of infection and potentially danger from BA4 and BA.5. They do actually have a functioning news service.

I think you may have missed the subtleties inherent in the picture. ????

14 minutes ago, Lemsta69 said:

that says more about the "Great" British then it does the Asian students. they wouldn't have won the Battle of Britain with such a lack of community spirit.

I wasn’t suggesting the British were wrong stating the facts.

I have observed Chinese wearing masks long before Covid and people here working alone in fields wearing masks.

Suspect it’s an Asian thing dropped mine as soon as I arrived in the UK and not wearing one here either

3 minutes ago, StevieAus said:

I wasn’t suggesting the British were wrong stating the facts.

I have observed Chinese wearing masks long before Covid and people here working alone in fields wearing masks.

Suspect it’s an Asian thing dropped mine as soon as I arrived in the UK and not wearing one here either

not wearing one here even though the Thais still wear them? that's not showing respect to your gracious hosts now is it? no wonder they want to raise the entry bar.

2 hours ago, Johnnyngai said:

Ordinary Asians know that their medical facilities are one notch below that of western countries. 

Asia didn't have much of an economy before the 1980s, but Europeans has been filthy rich for 200 years.

Asia still have little in terms of social safety nets when compared to most European countries. 

Having long term covid reduced lung capacities means long term poverty.  

God blessed me, but " God didn't bless most Asians ". 

 

I don’t know which medical facilities you use but in the 12 years I have lived here I have received medical and hospital treatment of equal standard to anything in Australia or the UK.

The difference for me has been that the “service

standard” is superior.

I have just returned from the UK and it took four days to see a GP after being refused at one practice.

Returning to Chiang Mai I saw a chest specialist within one hour received an X Ray and the correct illness was diagnosed and treated.

For me the medical facilities are one notch above!