COVID-19 surges during Songkran festival

[Sticky Rice Balls]

11 hours ago, MangoKorat said:

Mainly because as the virus is far less lethal now, mask wearing is ineffective. Its far better to let it run its course - as has been shown in other countries.

 

And partly because:

 

Of the looks and comments I get for not wearing one.

 

Many Thai's wear them as 'chin hammocks'.

 

Other habits in Thailand, such as food sharing, further reduce their overall efficacy.

so your mad about personal choices by others and how they wear their masks--i use mine on my chin an lift it up around others who wear one or elderly etc.....

 

chin hammocks are bad..why?

 

if u get upset by thais staring at you here u may want to head home as this seems to be affecting you

 

its not my world..i just live in it and try to be decent around others as im a guest here....

 

sharing food is big part of thai culture...again this culture may not be for you....as per your post

[Sticky Rice Balls]

18 hours ago, ChrisY1 said:

And right on cue after Songkran.....get you masks back on and keep the factories making them, profitable!

does others shopping habits upset you?....they do offer free ones too.....if you find the price of a mask out of your budget

 

or how others buying one is upsetting you????

 

whats your next prediction and/or conspiracy????...

 

amazed me who others rage at the personal choices of others trying to protect themselves and or others and their OWN decision to do so....

 

dont worry bro..no one is going to make you wear one..but we will notice your choice not to do so...but you dont like folks like me anyway so its win-win!

 

think ill wear 2 masks today 🙂

[spidermike007]

23 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Another Thai news report that fails to fully convey what's really been going on lately with COVID in Thailand. While the latest single week hospitalization numbers reported by Thai PBS are correct as far as they go...

 

What they fail to report is that new weekly COVID hospitalizations in Thailand had been rising steadily since well before Song Kran, and in fact have DOUBLED in the past six weeks since mid-March, as shown below from the MoPH's weekly COVID reports:

 

March 16 -- 501

March 23 -- 630

March 30 -- 728

April 6 -- 774

April 13 -- 849

April 20 -- 1,004

 

Links to all of those weekly reports have been posted here:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311049-weekly-thai-ministry-of-public-health-covid-reports/?do=findComment&comment=18783819

 

and also are available directly from the MoPH here:

 

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/?dashboard=main

 

What the Thai PBS report also doesn't tell you is that the latest weekly total of 1,004 new COVID hospitalizations is Thailand's highest weekly tally of those since early July 2023, almost a year ago, when the number hit 1,193.

 

 

 

And, that Thailand experienced a similar seasonal COVID hospitalizations spike a year ago, starting in mid-April 2023 and continuing thru mid-July 2023 that saw new weekly COVID hospitalizations peak at 3,085 by early June 2023. So the numbers this year may well continue rising in the weeks ahead.

 

 

And how many younger folks, without any pre-existing issues are dying from it? Likely less than the flu. 

[dhupverg]

23 hours ago, TallGuyJohninBKK said:

Another Thai news report that fails to fully convey what's really been going on lately with COVID in Thailand. While the latest single week hospitalization numbers reported by Thai PBS are correct as far as they go...

 

What they fail to report is that new weekly COVID hospitalizations in Thailand had been rising steadily since well before Song Kran, and in fact have DOUBLED in the past six weeks since mid-March, as shown below from the MoPH's weekly COVID reports:

 

March 16 -- 501

March 23 -- 630

March 30 -- 728

April 6 -- 774

April 13 -- 849

April 20 -- 1,004

 

Links to all of those weekly reports have been posted here:

 

https://aseannow.com/topic/1311049-weekly-thai-ministry-of-public-health-covid-reports/?do=findComment&comment=18783819

 

and also are available directly from the MoPH here:

 

https://ddc.moph.go.th/covid19-dashboard/?dashboard=main

 

What the Thai PBS report also doesn't tell you is that the latest weekly total of 1,004 new COVID hospitalizations is Thailand's highest weekly tally of those since early July 2023, almost a year ago, when the number hit 1,193.

 

 

 

And, that Thailand experienced a similar seasonal COVID hospitalizations spike a year ago, starting in mid-April 2023 and continuing thru mid-July 2023 that saw new weekly COVID hospitalizations peak at 3,085 by early June 2023. So the numbers this year may well continue rising in the weeks ahead.

 

 

 

Should we put these fear mongering numbers in context?  Out of 72,000,000 people , 1000/week are hospitalized.  What's that percentage wise?  Oh, it's 1.3888888E-5  In other words, it's basically nothing............................................

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

So COVID deaths only matter if they involve "younger folks?

 

And we don't need to be concerned about the 1,000+ new weekly COVID hospitalizations reported by the Thai government, or the 214 COVID patients currently hospitalized in serious condition, or the 144 of those requiring intubation to breath -- all patients for whom the MoPH doesn't give any age breakdown?

 

But we DO know that COVID certainly has the potential to cause serious health problems, and even death, for "younger folks" -- even though those are more rare than for older folks.

 

For example, from the U.S.:

 

As Covid-19 hospitalizations climb, rates among seniors and children raise concern

 

September 22, 2023

...

"Seniors have the highest rates of Covid hospitalizations by far, but hospitalizations among children — especially among those younger than 5 — are rising fast."

...

a new analysis of federal data from the American Academy of Pediatrics showed hospital admissions among children are rising faster than average. Nearly 1,200 children were admitted to the hospital with Covid-19 during the week ending September 9, marking a five-fold increase over the past three months. Hospitalizations among adults increased about three-fold in that same time period."

...

Children accounted for 6% of all Covid-19 hospital admissions during the week ending September 9, federal data shows. And children under 5 were the most at risk, with about half of all pediatric Covid-19 hospitalizations among those younger than 5, according to the AAP analysis.

 

https://www.cnn.com/2023/09/22/health/covid-hospitalizations-seniors-kids-vaccines/index.html

 

[rabang]

On 4/23/2024 at 3:16 AM, Sticky Rice Balls said:

does others shopping habits upset you?....they do offer free ones too.....if you find the price of a mask out of your budget

 

or how others buying one is upsetting you????

 

whats your next prediction and/or conspiracy????...

 

amazed me who others rage at the personal choices of others trying to protect themselves and or others and their OWN decision to do so....

 

dont worry bro..no one is going to make you wear one..but we will notice your choice not to do so...but you dont like folks like me anyway so its win-win!

 

think ill wear 2 masks today 🙂

How many children choose to use a mask and how many are told to do so by their parents? Are there employers who require mask wearing? It looks quite bizarre arriving in Thailand seeing how many still use them, I wonder how long will it last.

[Sticky Rice Balls]

On 4/24/2024 at 4:32 PM, rabang said:

How many children choose to use a mask and how many are told to do so by their parents? Are there employers who require mask wearing? It looks quite bizarre arriving in Thailand seeing how many still use them, I wonder how long will it last.

maybe you should ask them..and avoid all dentists and doctors offices..who have been wearing the since day one of business......maybe worry more about your actions than others......MYOB

[jacko45k]

On 4/22/2024 at 8:02 AM, spidermike007 said:

How many people die every year from the flu? And how many of them were old and had issues? 

 

Some simply do not want to let this go, even though it became endemic long ago. I am over 60 and got Covid. I have had worse flu bugs and remain more concerned over getting a flu, than covid. 

People who survive always seem to be more vocal!

[spidermike007]

There were 16 covid deaths in the week ending April 7th, in all of SE Asia. Yet some refuse to let this go. 

 

https://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/deaths

[spidermike007]

A total of 16 deaths from covid, in the week leading up to April 7th, in ALL of SE Asia. This is not the Zombie Apocalypse. 

 

https://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/deaths

[seajae]

wife and myself both contracted covid over the songkran weekend in Phatthalung, symptoms were not as bad as our original covid some time back but are similar, still having chest problems & headaches but slowly getting better. We have been wearing masks since we started getting sick but unfortunately many thais do not wear masks when sick and prefer to spread what they have to everyone else which is why it is still around. Was also hard getting medical help, surprised at the way we were treated by hospital staff and doctors.

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

Not all countries are reporting their COVID deaths to the WHO any more... Many aren't, so the WHO data on that is only a partial glimpse, as the WHO notes on every report they issue on such things these days.

 

And, while Thailand's reported weekly "official" COVID deaths number remains small, that doesn't erase the latest report of more than 1,000 weekly COVID hospitalizations in Thailand, a figure that has doubled over the past six weeks.

 

Nor the fact that Thailand currently has nearly 300 COVID patients hospitalized in serious condition, as reported by the MoPH and cited in the OP report in this thread.

 

From the OP:

 

Quote

1,004 people were admitted for treatment of COVID-19 infections between April 14th and 20th, according to Dr. Thongchai Keeratihattayakorn, director of the Department of Disease Control.

 

Of those admitted to hospitals, 292 are suffering from lung infections and 101 require ventilators to help with breathing.

 

[dinsdale]

Not sure if too many will see this but I've heard from someone high up in a health dept that the Bangkok govenor is contemplating NOT reopening schools after the break. Keeping a close eye on the numbers. Same for Samut Sakhon Gov. 

[Patong2021]

On 4/21/2024 at 3:56 PM, CrossBones said:

What? Covid finished 2 years ago

It never finished. It was however, managed.

 

On 4/21/2024 at 7:40 PM, 1happykamper said:

So Thailand and the world finally understands that this virus is here to stay...

The WHO et al should be all burned at the stake for shutting down the planet for 2 or 3 years  

 

The planet was not shut down. Essential services continued. The management strategy was intended to keep the health care system from collapsing, and was to ensure that essential services were continued. You ate during Covid didn't you? Police, fire and EMS services were available were they not? The power grid remained on? Your  TV and internet functioned? Food deliveries and essential product deliveries were prioritized.  Governments responded as best they could.

 

1 hour ago, spidermike007 said:

A total of 16 deaths from covid, in the week leading up to April 7th, in ALL of SE Asia. This is not the Zombie Apocalypse. 

 

https://data.who.int/dashboards/covid19/deaths

 

As explained above, the problem is now. Referring to data prior to the critical period is pointless.

 

On 4/23/2024 at 12:16 AM, spidermike007 said:

And how many younger folks, without any pre-existing issues are dying from it? Likely less than the flu. 

 

If you were the parent of the thousands of kids and young adults who died you would not be so dismissive.  This is the data from the USA only.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1191568/reported-deaths-from-covid-by-age-us/

 

The roll out of vaccines is in large part responsible for reducing the number of deaths. People who were infected after vaccination were able to withstand their infection and  prime their immune systems for their next infection.

 

 

[rabang]

5 hours ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

maybe you should ask them..and avoid all dentists and doctors offices..who have been wearing the since day one of business......maybe worry more about your actions than others......MYOB

Healthy people wearing masks everywhere in 2024 is insane.

[dinsdale]

4 hours ago, Patong2021 said:

It never finished. It was however, managed.

 

 

The planet was not shut down. Essential services continued. The management strategy was intended to keep the health care system from collapsing, and was to ensure that essential services were continued. You ate during Covid didn't you? Police, fire and EMS services were available were they not? The power grid remained on? Your  TV and internet functioned? Food deliveries and essential product deliveries were prioritized.  Governments responded as best they could.

 

 

As explained above, the problem is now. Referring to data prior to the critical period is pointless.

 

 

If you were the parent of the thousands of kids and young adults who died you would not be so dismissive.  This is the data from the USA only.

https://www.statista.com/statistics/1191568/reported-deaths-from-covid-by-age-us/

 

The roll out of vaccines is in large part responsible for reducing the number of deaths. People who were infected after vaccination were able to withstand their infection and  prime their immune systems for their next infection.

 

 

The thing is you are allowed to say this but if I was to counter your post my post would be removed as disinformation and or conspiracy theory. Bit like when saying the vaccines can cause vaccine injury or death was misinformation/conspiracy but is now fact.

Edited April 26 by dinsdale

[TallGuyJohninBKK]

The latter part above is imagined nonsense.

 

The medical and public health communities and credible research have been pretty clear and consistent about the safety status of COVID vaccines throughout the pandemic once the vaccines were deployed to the public.

 

That with nearly 13 BILLION doses given in the world thus far, the vaccines have been proven to be safe, and that serious side effects can occur, but are very rare. And when side effects have been found, the rates often have been higher from getting COVID than they are from the vaccines themselves.

 

You can find that message, and varying forms of it, in countless official places and countless reports around the world, because that's what the credible research has shown, and major public health agencies haven't denied that there are potential vaccine side effects. Examples:

 

ICMRA statement on the safety of COVID-19 vaccines

 

• COVID-19 vaccines significantly reduce the risk of severe disease, hospitalisation and death from infection with SARS-CoV-2. 

• Evidence from the more than 13 billions of vaccine doses given worldwide shows that COVID-19 vaccines have a very good safety profile in all age groups. The benefits of the approved vaccines far outweigh the possible risks.

• The vast majority of side effects are mild and temporary. However, safety monitoring (pharmacovigilance) systems have identified some very rare (occurring in less than 1 in 10,000 people) but serious side effects.

https://icmra.info/drupal/strategicinitiatives/vaccines/safety_statement

 

 

"The February 2024 publication of the largest peer-reviewed study of Covid-19 vaccine safety to date has inspired misleading social media claims that its findings show the jabs are unsafe. Study authors and independent experts say the research confirms that adverse reactions to vaccination are rare and pose far fewer risks than Covid-19 infection.

...

Epidemiologist Anders Peter Hviid, one of the study authors, told AFP the findings confirm previous research and should not deter people from receiving Covid-19 shots.

 

"What we take away is that the Covid-19 vaccination campaigns have been very effective in preventing severe disease," he said on February 23. "The few serious side effects that we have observed in this and other studies have been rare."

 

https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.34K78ZW

 

COVID-19 vaccines are safe.

 

Since 2021, more than 13 billion COVID-19 vaccine doses have been administered globally. As with all vaccines, WHO and regulatory authorities continuously monitor the use of COVID-19 vaccines to identify and respond to any safety issues that might arise. Serious reactions to COVID-19 vaccines are extremely rare. Through this process, we establish that COVID-19 vaccines remain safe worldwide.

 

https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019/covid-19-vaccines/advice

 

What was labeled misinformation and conspiracy theories was when anti-vaxers have gone off the rails into disproven nonsense:

 

--such as claiming VAERS reports equate to proven vaccine injuries (they don't)

 

https://www.factcheck.org/2023/06/scicheck-what-vaers-can-and-cant-do-and-how-anti-vaccination-groups-habitually-misuse-its-data/

 

--such as claiming every time someone noteworthy dies that it's because of COVID vaccinations. No, those deaths haven't been caused by vaccination.

 

https://apnews.com/article/vaccine-died-suddenly-misinformation-a8e3a80a015ba9bf78b6bd4f3c271f58

 

And legions of anti-vax crackpots who regularly make false and disproven claims about COVID vaccines and/or misreport and mischaracterize research that has been done.

 

https://factcheck.afp.com/doc.afp.com.32JG7UE

 

https://healthfeedback.org/claimreview/published-studies-misrepresented-peter-mccullough-false-claim-covid-vaccines-sudden-cardiac-death/

 

https://www.reuters.com/fact-check/misleading-data-used-claim-covid-vaccines-do-more-harm-than-good-2024-03-21/

 

Edited April 26 by TallGuyJohninBKK

[Sticky Rice Balls]

13 hours ago, rabang said:

Healthy people wearing masks everywhere in 2024 is insane.

are you upset that you cant control them?.....MUH FREEDUMS......

 

i wear them..for OTHERS...thats the point !  which you have clearly shown you dont care about others..its your world..we all just live in it

[rabang]

47 minutes ago, Sticky Rice Balls said:

are you upset that you cant control them?.....MUH FREEDUMS......

 

i wear them..for OTHERS...thats the point !  which you have clearly shown you dont care about others..its your world..we all just live in it

No, it is precisely the world outside of Thailand that has stopped wearing them a long time ago. You can of course wear one until the end of time.

[Patong2021]

On 4/26/2024 at 2:40 PM, rabang said:

No, it is precisely the world outside of Thailand that has stopped wearing them a long time ago. You can of course wear one until the end of time.

 

Considering the air quality in Thailand, a majority of people wear masks because of that. My friend wears one continuously because his work requires him to circulate outdoors in Bangkok. The car fume particulate in rush hour alone can knock you out.

[frank83628]

covid is here to stay...just like the flu, not sure why it's still making the news. yawn, people dying everyday, how many just from covid alone...very few % i would guess. 

 

Edited May 1 by stats
trolling, conspiracy comment removed

[Photoguy21]

What is the fixation with washing hands? Covid was and still is an air borne complaint.

[rabang]

11 hours ago, Photoguy21 said:

What is the fixation with washing hands? Covid was and still is an air borne complaint.

It might be good if people actually washed their hands more.

[Photoguy21]

14 hours ago, rabang said:

It might be good if people actually washed their hands more.

As a general thing yes but it isnt a way that Covid is spread