As vaccinations start all around the country, we seem to be heading towards the light at the end of the tunnel. Though that doesn't mean we're out of the woods yet. As of the writing of this article, four new clusters have been found in Bangkok and more than 2,000 cases are being reported each day. After 1.5 years, it's time to see how much the pandemic has affected our lives, our work, our relationships and at times, even our sanity. But there's also one aspect that seems to have affected some people: logic. Here's a look at some of the greatest bouts of logic.
LOGIC
Lockdown, been there once, won't do it twice
It's interesting to walk around Bangkok during this third wave because... well, there are people walking around the city. Take a peek outside or go to a mall and life seems normal. What is not normal is the more than 2,000 positive coronavirus cases a day. Despite numbers not decreasing since Songkran, no curfews have been implemented. Even though positive cases were found in a mall-that-shall-not-be-named, the response was a thorough cleaning before opening up again the next day. This is in no comparison to the first wave when we had a curfew and malls were closed along with other establishments. It almost seems that the curfew and semi-lockdown were the reasons why we were able to reopen in the middle of 2020. Granted, vaccines are being rolled out and cases will probably start decreasing, but "sooner rather than later" is apparently not a phrase in the powers-that-be's books.
LOGIC
Want a vaccine? Become a motorsai driver, overnight
We're all anxious to get our vaccines but the rollouts have been slow globally. It doesn't help that the government has been notoriously scatterbrained in their handling of the pandemic (then again, when aren't they?). Though that is no excuse for jumping the queue to get vaccinated. A few reportedly "privileged" people decided to put on motorsai driver vests to get vaccines, which weren't for them. Not only did they want to steal jabs from a group of workers, who are one of the most exposed to the virus, these jab thieves didn't even put an ounce of effort into their con. They just put the bright orange vest over what they were wearing in the hopes that they'll pass as motorsai drivers. Sure, you can yell all you want, auntie, but no one has ever seen a motorsai driver wear a long, bodycon dress while making the rounds.
LOGIC
Announce reopening, spread joy... and then take it right back
If we would list the number of times the government has bungled the handling of the pandemic, we'd probably take up the entire magazine so we'll just pick a few of their greatest misses. One of their unforgettable moments was earlier this month when the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA) announced the reopening of a number of establishments like museums and massage parlours, only for the central government to backtrack and go "Whoops, not happening" later in the same day. This continued this week when Uncle Tu ordered parks reopen on Monday morning but no order came through until tea time. It's good to know that those handling the pandemic truly embody the key principle of what makes relationships work: communication.
LOGIC
Nothing like a photo-op to tell the world how vaccines work
Unless you're a paranoid anti-vaxxer who's devoid of a brain, vaccinations are pretty straightforward. There's the whole science behind it which I won't get into because let's be honest, you don't read Guru for its medical reputability or content. But I'm sure that unless you've been living under a rock or you travelled from a different dimension where vaccinations were never invented, you're already aware that it involves getting injected with medicine. Y'know, a medical professional sticks you in the arm or some other body part with a needle so that the medicine gets in your system. If you're wondering why I'm explaining something that everyone seems to know already, it's because the BMA seemed to be unsure if the public was aware of what they would be signing up for. Enter a good ol' fashioned photo-op, with two nurses demonstrating how the vaccinations would be given as posted by Khaosod English on their FB page. Thanks for the info, BMA!
LOGIC
Hold an event crowded with people in one place
If there's anything else this pandemic needs, it's more ceremonies and events. Take for example the vaccine rollout in Bangkok. The prime minister and health minister, two shining beacons of hope, officially opened the Bang Sue vaccination centre with a whole bunch of people. If there's anything the pandemic has taught us, it's that "a whole bunch of people" is definitely not what you want to be around. But hey, it's to kick-off vaccinations so that should be an exemption, right?
LOGIC
Make all car passengers wear masks... even if they share a bed
We're used to wearing masks even before the pandemic thanks to the unresolved pollution that returns annually. So when Covid hit and wearing masks was mandated, it was no biggie. Masks in public make sense and even on public transportation like a taxi or a Grab car. But the BMA decided to take it up a notch (because why not?) and mandate that if there's more than one person in a car, people must wear masks. It doesn't matter if it's your family members who you live with or if it's your partner who you were just making out with. Maybe the virus doesn't get spread when you're at home but the moment you get in your car, it suddenly goes, "Aha, the opportune moment!". Apparently, Covid is all about location, location, location.
LOGIC
Empty promises, empty vials
Another maxim the government seems to live by is "Promises are made to be broken". The aforementioned crowded event at Bang Sue kicked off the vaccination rollout with such fanfare. We're finally getting vaccines! But a week later, hospitals postponed appointments because apparently, they didn't get enough supplies. At this point, you would think the higher-ups are scrambling to find a solution because, y'know, a pandemic is raging through the nation and people need to be vaccinated asap. Instead, Public Health Minister Anutin Charnvirakul, being the gracious and humble man that he is, placed the blame on the BMA, who in turn blamed the government. It's always heartwarming to see members of the government pointing fingers at each other as the public waits. Hey, the priority now is to definitely figure out whose fault it is.
