Why wasn't home isolation in the plan?
Why wasn't home isolation in the plan? A medical worker takes care of a Covid patient in an isolation room. The hospital on June 22 called us two hours later with the children's positive results. Last month, recovering at home -- home isolation was not an option; the Public Health Ministry finally endorsed this policy recently. Why wasn't home isolation for those with mild symptoms part of the initial plan?
Source:Bangkok Post
July 13, 2021 23:48 UTC
Digital regulation draft bill a double-edged sword
SIGNIFICANT BURDEN"It is still uncertain what additional requirements digital platform operators will have to comply with. Stringent requirements could place a significant burden on digital platform operators," Dhiraphol Suwanprateep, a partner at law firm Baker & McKenzie, told the Bangkok Post. The aim of this decree is to regulate digital platforms to be fair and transparent as well as improve consumer protection. Digital platforms outside Thailand that offer services to consumers in Thailand are also subject to this legislation. This will put a burden on digital operators to notify and inform officials about new services, he said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 13, 2021 23:48 UTC
Virus expert pushes for mixing jabs
Virus expert pushes for mixing jabsRespected virus expert Yong Poovorawan insisted mixing and matching vaccines is a safe and effective method for fighting the fast-spreading Delta variant of Covid-19, even after a World Health Organization (WHO) scientist on Monday advised against it. His remark came after WHO chief scientist Soumya Swaminathan advised against people mixing and matching Covid-19 vaccines from different manufacturers, calling it a "dangerous trend" since there is little data available about the health impacts. Data from mix and match studies of different vaccines are awaited -- immunogenicity and safety both need to be evaluated." That led to studies of injecting the inactivated virus of the Sinovac vaccine in the first dose to be followed soon by the second dose of AstraZeneca. The studies were put into practice and it was found that the cross-vaccination was able to spur body immunity higher and faster than anticipated, Prof Yong explained.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 13, 2021 23:37 UTC
Reskilling for the future vital in the new normal
Reskilling will be a vital element of this rehabilitation, especially for low-income workers in the much-changed labour landscape. There is an urgent need for innovative training and reskilling programs, and support for workers as they make these difficult transitions. In Thailand, the Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) has also stressed the need for reskilling and capacity-building in order to resuscitate the tourism industry. This might take the form of government-backed, end-to-end reskilling bootcamps, or one-stop shops that provide support and reskilling resources to job seekers in transition. With collaboration between companies, policy makers, and educators, reskilling programs can speed a sustainable recovery across Asia, building a better working future for this unique region.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 13, 2021 12:59 UTC
Tour vans in crisis, no one is hiring them
(Photo: Prasit Tangprasert)NAKHON RATCHASIMA: Tour van operator Punnawit Jaenlue used to make about 20 hire-trips a month, earning about 50,000 baht. He and other tour van operators desperately need assistance. Mr Punnawit said tour van operators have been left with a heavy financial burden, not the least being the monthly instalments on their vans. He called on the government and agencies to ask financial institutions to suspend debt payments for 3-6 months for tour van operators. During the first round of the Covid-19 pandemic, the government had suspended debt repayments for van operators for three months, he added.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 13, 2021 07:38 UTC
Agency warns investors of DeFi risks, legal situation
Agency warns investors of DeFi risks, legal situationThese GEN token holders have traced data on the blockchain and found the owners of some token wallets were exempt from a trading tax while others were not. "A DeFi platform is a new technology accompanied with risks that investors may not know. GEN, a governance token of Genesis, was dumped in June and generated a significant loss for token holders. These GEN token holders have traced data on the blockchain and found that the owners of some token wallets were exempt from trading fee while others were not. Some token holders said they have filed complaints with the police in three provinces but haven't yet filed a complaint with the Economic Crime Suppression Division.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 13, 2021 00:45 UTC
iLaw says curbs curtail free speech
iLaw says curbs curtail free speechThe Internet Law Reform Dialogue (iLaw) group has slammed new restrictions issued under the emergency decree to curb the latest wave of Covid-19. On its Facebook page, iLaw targeted Announcement No.27 under the emergency rule which, it said, includes a provision (Restriction No.11) limiting free speech during the current situation. iLaw posted that Restriction No.11 under Announcement No.27 is shorter than the previous announcement, and contains some key differences. Announcement No.1 prohibited the presentation of fake news and false information about Covid-19 that causes panic, but the new announcement only mentions "messages that may cause panic" and omits the term "fake", iLaw posted. This can mean those who drew up the restriction may want to take aim also at people who spread true information which causes panic, it said.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 13, 2021 00:18 UTC
Russia is back and it's a little bit better
Russia is back and it's a little bit betterRussian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu, left, and Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar's armed forces, Senior General Min Aung Hlaing prior to their talks in Moscow. AFPMake no mistake, Russia is back in Southeast Asia, the region where its former empire reigned during the Cold War. Today Russia is determined to break US-led sanctions and further integrate its economy with the region's economic dynamics. In Jakarta, Mr Lavrov reiterated that Russia sees Asean as a strategic, reliable and predictable ally in international affairs. In a broader strategic context, Russia can use its closer ties with Myanmar to counter the US hardline approach, creating some breathing room for the regime.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 12, 2021 23:42 UTC
A leader's pride comes before a Covid-19 fall
A leader's pride comes before a Covid-19 fallAs a leader, what makes you proud? Does it make your day seeing people, young and old, camp out on the streets all night to queue for a Covid-19 test? Other leaders would at least feel awkward about news that people had to compete to make reservations for their own vaccines. And all those photos showing people who have been confirmed to have Covid-19 lying around waiting to be admitted. You must regard it as a show of your magnanimous spirit when you donated three months of salary to help Covid-19 sufferers.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 12, 2021 23:37 UTC
Private hospitals urge state to cover costs
Private hospitals urge state to cover costsThe atmosphere at MedPark Hospital, a new hospital located on Rama IV Road. He said around 60% of hospital beds in Bangkok are in private hospitals. "That budget might be reasonable for medical services in public hospitals but is not practical for private hospitals because we have high costs such as salaries of medical personnel. This is more reasonable for treatment in private hospitals. "There are no private hospitals that can make a profit of more than 10-12%.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 12, 2021 23:37 UTC
Leaving no patient behind
(Photo: National Science and Technology Development Agency)Recently, a 12-year-old blind child was left alone in his room to quarantine. Not long after, his mother who was a diabetic, died due to Covid-19 and his father was admitted to a field hospital as well. "When an ambulance is sent to pick up a disabled patient, staff will carry him/her out on a negative pressure isolation stretcher to prevent transmission. A telehealth platform is used by staff to treat disabled patients at a field hospital at the Sirindhorn Science Home. National Science and Technology Development AgencyAuthorities have developed the Sirindhorn Science Home as the first field hospital for disabled patients.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 12, 2021 02:15 UTC
Drones to play big role in crime fight
The Hanuman unit is to replace a commando unit that has been reassigned to provide security for His Majesty the King and the royal family members. "Drones will play an important role in helping to survey and maintain order in areas ordinary police cannot approach. Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop said the unit, which consists of 10 small drones and 10 drone pilots, is undertaking a period of testing and training. During operations, the drones can capture criminal movement and activity on 10 screens which can reduce the need for potentially violent encounters prior to arrests, Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop said. By law, gunning someone down can be regarded as an act of self-defence if the criminal is regarded as a severe threat, said Pol Maj Gen Jirabhop.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 12, 2021 01:30 UTC
A double dose of reality
Mixing vaccine brands and getting an mRNA booster after 2 Sinovac jabs has led to a scrambleA health worker prepares a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at Bang Sue Grand Station. People queue to receive Covid-19 vaccines at Bang Sue Grand Station. A health worker prepares a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at Bang Sue Grand Station. A health worker prepares a dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at Bang Sue Grand Station. The GPO set the price of the Moderna vaccine at 1,100 baht a dose, but after injection fees are included, the Private Hospital Association settled on 1,650 baht a dose.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 12, 2021 01:30 UTC
Enough Covid stunts already
Enough Covid stunts alreadyIt was heart-wrenching to see hundreds of people spend overnight on a pavement outside Wat Phra Sri Maha That in Bang Khen district last week as they waited to get queue tickets for free Covid-19 testing. With new Covid-19 cases surging to nearly 10,000 cases a day and delays in vaccinations, the government must not allow the Covid testing problem to add to the crisis. Hospitals earlier were reported to be reluctant to provide Covid tests, as an old regulation required them to receive a Covid patient. In addition, free Covid-19 testing needs to be expanded from the six venues at six districts in the capital offered at present. Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul's promise that "there must be no one to be left to die at home again" sounds hollow.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 12, 2021 00:45 UTC
Frontline medical staff pour their hearts out
Frontline medical staff have played a key role in fighting the novel coronavirus war especially the third wave reported in early April in which seven medical staff have lost their lives and many more infected. "Although our hospital has Covid–19 insurance to medical staff, it does not cover compensation during quarantine,'' he added. Call for sympathySomsak Akksilp, the Department of Medical Sciences director–general, said some medical staff had not been able to return to their families for two months. Medical staff whom he visited asked for five things: a clear policy, cooperation, disease control, a strong medical system and inclusive vaccinations. Thanarak Plipat, Regional Health 5 Office CEO, said he acknowledged the hardship of medical staff during this time.
Source:Bangkok Post
July 11, 2021 22:52 UTC