Bangkok
Thursday 2 April 2020
Hi there,
After I have stayed at home for several days to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 viruses, today our Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced of imposing a 10 PM-4 AM curfew throughout the country, starting from 3 April onwards.
Although , like many people, I love my freedom of going out anywhere and any time I prefer, I agree to this announcement. Each of us needs to take our own responsibility for protecting not just ourselves but others in the society, and the whole world.
Since the first outbreak of this deadly virus first reported from China, I have followed the news and wondered what would happen next and to people in Thailand including myself. Thailand is a big tourist destination, and each year we welcome hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists.
As expected, later Thailand became the second country that has the virus spreads. Fortunately, the Thai government already kept updating information and warning people about the virus and its fatal illness. Wearing a mask, washing hands often, staying away from the crowd were the early suggestion by the experts. Some including I have followed the advice strictly. I usually put on a mask when going outside because of the problem of the PM 2.5 fine particles hovering the city of Bangkok already. However, many others did not take the advice seriously, and some even paid no attention at all.
Not until the spreads went worldwide and became a pandemic, with many dead tolls reported from several countries, many people showed little concerm about this virus. Despite the warnings from the medical experts and the authorities, they, with no protection at all, had parties, gathered at the pubs and bars, gathered in the big crowds at various places such as boxing stadiums, religious places. And these groups became super spreaders, following the first wave of spreaders --mainly local people directly contacting with some Chinese tourists in Thailand or newly returning from China.
After the cases have been increasingly and continuously found, masks and alcohol mixtures are sold out in every place. They become rare items and sought-after. But they are available on some online markets and in sky rocket prices. Meanwhile, more and more people became more scared of the virus and started stocking food and household items. Eggs became much more expensive just over the night, among other items like sugar, instant noodle, cooking oil.
Over the past two weeks, the government has encouraged people to better stay at home as possible, distance themselves from others with aims to minimize the spread rate of Covid-19 in Thailand. I have heard and see the campaigns via radio, TV and websites on hand washing, mask wearing, and self-observing health condition. Work at home is also encouraged among office workers as many schools and universities are already closed temporarily. Malls and some other places, such as markets, restuarants, have also been ordered to close for this period except supermarkets. Bangkok has become quiet and seems nicer as I noticed when I went out a few days ago for my cats' food and grocery.
Yet, it appears that there are many people who are not aware or probably don't care about anything, for they continue do whatever they like. That causes the rate of spread to ontinue and increase
speedily. It makes me feel angry when I see news each day showing this kind of irresponsible people along with news of more healthcare people getting sick with the virus.
Thus, that might be the reason that Thailand does need this strong remedy---a curfew that is going to begin tomorrow onwards. Let's hope we are all safe and survive in this fight against COVID-19.
Gigi
Thursday 2 April 2020
Hi there,
After I have stayed at home for several days to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19 viruses, today our Prime Minister General Prayuth Chan-ocha announced of imposing a 10 PM-4 AM curfew throughout the country, starting from 3 April onwards.
Although , like many people, I love my freedom of going out anywhere and any time I prefer, I agree to this announcement. Each of us needs to take our own responsibility for protecting not just ourselves but others in the society, and the whole world.
Since the first outbreak of this deadly virus first reported from China, I have followed the news and wondered what would happen next and to people in Thailand including myself. Thailand is a big tourist destination, and each year we welcome hundreds of thousands of Chinese tourists.
As expected, later Thailand became the second country that has the virus spreads. Fortunately, the Thai government already kept updating information and warning people about the virus and its fatal illness. Wearing a mask, washing hands often, staying away from the crowd were the early suggestion by the experts. Some including I have followed the advice strictly. I usually put on a mask when going outside because of the problem of the PM 2.5 fine particles hovering the city of Bangkok already. However, many others did not take the advice seriously, and some even paid no attention at all.
Not until the spreads went worldwide and became a pandemic, with many dead tolls reported from several countries, many people showed little concerm about this virus. Despite the warnings from the medical experts and the authorities, they, with no protection at all, had parties, gathered at the pubs and bars, gathered in the big crowds at various places such as boxing stadiums, religious places. And these groups became super spreaders, following the first wave of spreaders --mainly local people directly contacting with some Chinese tourists in Thailand or newly returning from China.
After the cases have been increasingly and continuously found, masks and alcohol mixtures are sold out in every place. They become rare items and sought-after. But they are available on some online markets and in sky rocket prices. Meanwhile, more and more people became more scared of the virus and started stocking food and household items. Eggs became much more expensive just over the night, among other items like sugar, instant noodle, cooking oil.
Over the past two weeks, the government has encouraged people to better stay at home as possible, distance themselves from others with aims to minimize the spread rate of Covid-19 in Thailand. I have heard and see the campaigns via radio, TV and websites on hand washing, mask wearing, and self-observing health condition. Work at home is also encouraged among office workers as many schools and universities are already closed temporarily. Malls and some other places, such as markets, restuarants, have also been ordered to close for this period except supermarkets. Bangkok has become quiet and seems nicer as I noticed when I went out a few days ago for my cats' food and grocery.
Yet, it appears that there are many people who are not aware or probably don't care about anything, for they continue do whatever they like. That causes the rate of spread to ontinue and increase
speedily. It makes me feel angry when I see news each day showing this kind of irresponsible people along with news of more healthcare people getting sick with the virus.
Thus, that might be the reason that Thailand does need this strong remedy---a curfew that is going to begin tomorrow onwards. Let's hope we are all safe and survive in this fight against COVID-19.
Gigi
Hi,Gigi. Hope you stay healthy and safe.The whole world are in unimaginable situations but we will not give up and everyone must fight together to overcome this nightmare.
ตอบลบThank you. Corso. I hope very much so.
ตอบลบ