OPINION

Stop faulty logic

Re: "Vaccine perils", (PostBag, May 5).

Jason Jellison quotes "news reports of vaccinated Americans still contracting Covid-19" as a reason for doubting that "any of the current vaccines will really contain the spread of Covid-19".

Perhaps it is necessary to point out that 95%, which is the highest reported efficacy rate for any Covid-19 vaccine that I have seen, is not the same as 100%. No vaccine for any disease offers 100% immunity from contracting that disease.

If we follow Mr Jellison's logic, no vaccination programme will "really contain" the spread of a disease, including the vaccination programme which successfully eliminated smallpox worldwide.

Furthermore, the efficacy rates quoted for vaccines relate to contracting the virus.

If we look at their efficacy in preventing symptoms, avoiding hospitalisations, and preventing deaths, the percentages are progressively higher to the point where many countries report zero deaths from Covid-19 among those who received a full dose before infection.

The Bangkok Post has commendably published a number of articles pointing to the dangers of false information about the pandemic. Yet it also publishes doubts such as these about the efficacy of vaccines based on faulty logic.

I have no wish for the Bangkok Post to censor Mr Jellison, but might I suggest that your editorial staff provide additional information alongside his letter so that your readers can avoid being misinformed?

Re: "Rocket visa needed", (PostBag, May 9).

If the Chinese rocket debris lands on Thai soil and causes damage, Thailand cannot bring the offending rocket to book as the offence of launching the rocket occurred outside Thailand. A recent case confirms this.

Re: "Lumpy cow skin disease spreads to 18 provinces", (BP, May 9).

I would not normally comment on a cow disease, even one so alluringly named as lumpy cow skin disease, but the report on this disease afflicting local livestock fits so perfectly within the ambit of the Ministry of Agriculture that the temptation to give proper praise where it is required was not to be resisted.

The good farmers of Thailand need not worry. The ever vigilant Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha has the world's most benevolent Capt Thamanat Prompow, deputy agriculture minister, who is ready to make this problem disappear with his usual magical efficacy.

Anyone who says differently should be immediately imprisoned for spreading highly credible rumours likely to be perfectly true and disgusting, such being the defining qualities of good people in the Thailand that Gen Prayut has legally forged these past seven years, as he built his cabinet and other independent institutions of the very best of the most good people Thailand has to offer.

Re: "Needs, not wants", (PostBag, May 8).

I thank Patrick H and Western Buddhist for clearing up my misunderstanding of Buddhism and for noting the distinctions between needs and wants, wholesome enthusiasm and craving.

I have long thought the Post could use a weekly column of questions and answers about Buddhism.

Long ago, during its heyday, the Sunday Post featured a section that dealt with meaty issues, including a column on religion by Imtiaz Muqbil. But ours is a shallower and more secular age, and perhaps a Q-and-A column on Buddhism might not evoke enough interest among readers.