Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
Today, I highlight two reports from the Bangkok Post and one report from BBC News:
Quote:
City exodus begins
188 new infections brings total to 599
published : 23 Mar 2020 at 04:30
newspaper section: News
writer: Apinya Wipatayotin & Wassana Nanuam
Travellers wait to board their buses at the crowded Mor Chit bus terminal in Bangkok on Sunday. The exodus is believed to be triggered by the closures of 26 business types in Bangkok and five other provinces for three weeks to tackle the spread of Covid-19.
Almost 200 new infections were reported on Sunday, the highest one-day jump to date with the government hinting at more stringent measures on the way as the number of accumulated infections is predicted to surpass 1,000 in the next seven days.
In the wake of the announcement of a Bangkok "soft lockdown", scores flocked to bus stations to leave the city and the country.
The number of Covid-19 cases rose to 599 with most of the new cases concentrated in Bangkok, said Public Health Ministry spokesman Thaveesilp Wisanuyothin. Dr Thaveesilp reported an increase of 188 new confirmed cases . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...-exodus-begins
Quote:
Thousands flee city for provinces in buses
Lockdown fears force many to risk health
published : 23 Mar 2020 at 05:30
newspaper section: News
writer: Thana Boonlert
The partial lockdown of Bangkok and the order by the Interior Ministry to close 18 border points taking effect on Monday triggered a massive exodus of Thais and foreign workers from Bangkok for their hometowns on Sunday.
Mor Chit Bus Terminal in Chatuchak district of Bangkok saw around 80,000 passengers leaving for their hometowns. Staff ramped up public health security by ensuring passengers wear face masks. However, few were able to observe "social distancing" among the large crowds packing into stations or buses.
While the agency is increasing buses to cater to demand, it is in need of body temperature scanners and alcohol-based sanitising gel . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...inces-in-buses
And from BBC News:
Quote:
Coronavirus: Follow virus advice or 'tougher measures' likely, says PM
22 March 2020
Boris Johnson has warned "tougher measures" could be introduced if people do not take the government's coronavirus advice seriously.
The PM thanked people for making sacrifices but said people must follow social distancing guidance.
"If you don't do it responsibly... we will have to bring forward further measures," he said.
It comes as the number of UK deaths reached 281, including a person aged 18 with an underlying health condition . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51998559
Re: Thailand Prepares for the Worst
Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
It is just as well that I left Thailand on Saturday, ahead of my planned return date of April 16, as the British Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) in the following email is advising British citizens travelling abroad to return now:
Quote:
As countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including travel and border restrictions, the FCO advises British nationals against all but essential international travel. Any country or area may restrict travel without notice. If you live in the UK and are currently travelling abroad, you are strongly advised to return now, where and while there are still commercial routes available. Many airlines are suspending flights and many airports are closing, preventing flights from leaving.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-a...el-coronavirus
Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
Today, I highlight one report from the Bangkok Post and one report from BBC News about the situation in the UK.
Quote:
Stay home 'or share Italy's Covid experience'
published : 23 Mar 2020 at 12:55
writer: Online Reporters
People must stay home and not socialise, or Thailand will become like Italy with coronavirus patients overwhelming health resources and medical personnel having to decide which patients to treat, or not, the dean of the faculty of medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, warned on Monday.
Prof Dr Prasit Watanapa issued his caution via the university's online television channel.
He said the number of people with novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) in Thailand was soaring, like those of the European countries that were unable to control the disease . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...vid-experience
And in the UK, we must stay at home and are allowed to go out only for the following reasons:
• Shopping for basic necessities
• Daily exercise
• Any medical need
• And travelling to and from essential work.
See the the report from BBC News:
Quote:
Coronavirus: Strict new curbs on life in UK announced by PM
23 March 2020
Strict new curbs on life in the UK to tackle the spread of coronavirus have been announced by the prime minister.
From this evening people must stay at home except for shopping for basic necessities, daily exercise, any medical need and travelling to and from essential work.
Shops selling non-essential goods are being told to shut and gatherings in public of more than two people who do not live together are to be prohibited.
The UK death toll has reached 335.
If people do not follow the rules police will have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings, Boris Johnson said in a televised statement from Downing Street . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-52012432
1 Attachment(s)
Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
Below I highlight one more report from the Bangkok Post, one report from Pattaya Mail, a link to urban Dictionary and a photo from facebook:
Quote:
Thailand reports 3 more deaths, 106 new infections Tuesday
published : 24 Mar 2020 at 10:15
updated: 24 Mar 2020 at 12:09
writer: Apinya Wipatayotin and online reporters
The Public Health Ministry on Tuesday reported three more deaths of coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) patients, increasing the toll to four, and 106 new infections, raising the total number of infections in Thailand to 827. The number of new confirmed cases was lower than the 122 recorded on Monday . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...ctions-tuesday
And from Pattaya Mail . . .
And from urban Dictionary a new word, Covidiot:
https://www.urbandictionary.com/defi...?term=Covidiot
And related to the above, a photo from a poster on facebook suggesting a way to stop panic buying . . .
Attachment 9782
Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
I thank ChristianPFC for drawing my attention to the following article in the Bangkok Post:
Quote:
Emergency decree coming Thursday
published : 24 Mar 2020 at 14:49
writer: Online Reporters
The government will declare an emergency and introduce new measures to combat the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) on Thursday, Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha said on Tuesday.
Government spokeswoman Narumon Pinyosinwat said the state of emergency would last about one month.
In his live televised announcement at Government House, Gen Prayut said new requirements to control the disease would be enforced and a committee would be formed to work them out on a daily basis . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...oming-thursday
Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
The following email was sent to me by Emirates Airlines. Phew! Yet another reason to be glad I got out of Thailand in the nick of time:
Quote:
COVID-19 UPDATE
Hello [Jellybean], the world has literally gone into quarantine due to the COVID-19 outbreak. This is an unprecedented crisis situation in terms of breadth and scale, from a global health, social and economic standpoint.
On 23 March, the UAE government directed the suspension of all passenger flights into the country within 48 hours. This is a measure to protect communities from the further spread of COVID-19. In line with this directive, Emirates is temporarily suspending all our passenger flights from 25 March 2020.
We are very sorry for any inconvenience this may cause, and rest assured that we will resume our services as soon as the situation allows. This is an unprecedented period in the airline and travel industry. But with your support, we are confident that we will be back and welcoming you on board again soon. For now please stay safe.
Sincerely,
Adnan Kazim
Chief Commercial Officer
Emirates Airline
Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
Today, I highlight three reports from the Bangkok Post, one report from Pattaya Mail and one report from BBC News:
Quote:
New local Covid cases at 107, total 934
published : 25 Mar 2020 at 11:53
writer: Apinya Wipatatotin and online reporters
The Public Health Ministry on Wednesday reported 107 new local cases of the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19), raising the total to 934 with deaths unchanged at four, blaming the spread mainly on partygoers.
Dr Taweesin Visanuyothin, spokesman of the ministry, said the new cases were divided into three groups . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...-107-total-934
Quote:
100 people denied entry to Thailand
published : 25 Mar 2020 at 05:00
newspaper section: News
writer: Post Reporters
Airport authorities have blocked almost 100 travellers from entering Thailand, with 73 of them being deported for not having enough special documents to meet special immigration measures to combat the Covid-19 disease.
They were among 4,533 passengers -- both Thais and foreigners who entered Thailand on Sunday via Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang, Phuket and Chiang Mai airports, according to Dr Kajornsak Kaewcharat, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...ry-to-thailand
Quote:
Borders reopen for 2nd day
published : 25 Mar 2020 at 04:00
newspaper section: News
writer: Post Reporters
Thailand was forced to open its borders in the North and Northeast for a second day running as thousands of migrant workers from Myanmar and Laos demanded to cross over despite the temporary shutdown measures against Covid-19.
All border checkpoints were scheduled to be closed as of Monday, but officials had to bow to the demands of crowds of workers who waited anxiously near immigration control areas demanding to be allowed to go back home . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand...d-day#cxrecs_s
And from Pattaya Mail they report on the story I highlighted from the Bangkok Post yesterday:
And from BBC News:
Quote:
Coronavirus: Trump hopes US will shake off pandemic by Easter
25 March 2020
US President Donald Trump has said he hopes the US will shake off coronavirus by Easter, even as New York's governor sounded the alarm that the illness is spreading faster than "a bullet train" . . .
For the full report see: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-52029546
Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
I thought members might be interested in the following, it is an extract from an article in The Sunday Times of March 22, 2020 by Tony Allen-Mills and Andrew Gregory with two related videos from YouTube:
Quote:
In May 2018 a prominent professor at Edinburgh University predicted with uncanny precision how the next major threat to UK health would evolve.
Someone in China would become infected by an animal, Devi Sridhar, the university’s professor of global public health, told an audience at the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye. Then they would get on a plane to Britain. If a specialist as well connected as Sridhar saw the coronavirus coming two years ago, why were we not better prepared?
The daughter of a pair of Indian doctors who emigrated to America in the 1970s, Sridhar was born in Florida and studied medicine at the University of Miami. In 2003 she won a Rhodes scholarship and came to Britain to study at Oxford.
There she became friendly with another American visitor who shared her interest in the worldwide fight against contagious disease. Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Bill and Hillary, had followed in her father’s footsteps to Oxford to work on a thesis that was eventually entitled The Global Fund to Fight Aids, TB and Malaria: A Response to Global Threats, a Part of a Global Future.
The two women co-authored a book that took them to the Hay Festival for a joint talk. Last week a short video of Sridhar’s remarks surfaced on Twitter, and an element of remarkable prescience was added to the fevered public debate over the rampaging virus. “What a prediction!” marvelled one viewer of the video. “Superb and prophetic,” added another.
During a discussion of government preparedness for serious health threats, Sridhar argued for a global collaborative approach. “The largest threat to the UK population is someone in China who has been infected from an animal,” she declared. “Then they get on a plane to the UK. What good is it for the UK to be worried [only] about what’s happening here? It’s about those interconnections across the world. If you want to solve those problems, you can’t do it on a go-alone approach” . . .
Also attached to this post are two YouTube videos, the first showing a short 6 minute BBC interview held on March 15, 2020 with Devi Sridhar, Professor of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh. And the second video shows a longer, 1 hour 7 minute recording at the Hay Festival in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, Wales in 2018 in which Devi Sridhar and Chelsea Clinton discuss a book they co-authored entitled, Governing Global Health and at which Devi Sridhar declared “The largest threat to the UK population is someone in China who has been infected from an animal,”.
Link to article: https://www.thetimes.co.uk
Please note you will need to subscribe to The Times to fully access its articles.
https://youtu.be/m2OXbVaLeE8
https://youtu.be/RZrCiokyzfQ
Re: Coronavirus - Thailand
The second video clip, which I attached in my previous post, was the wrong clip. I must apologise for this, the correct video clip of Devi Sridhar, Professor of Global Public Health at the University of Edinburgh stating that, “The largest threat to the UK population is someone in China who has been infected from an animal.” is to be found in the following link to the MailOnline:
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/video/co...irus-2018.html