OPINION

Covid stats missing

Obviously Covid-19 is the big news every day. And I understand trying to give your coverage some variety on the front page.

But I suggest that the daily count of cases and deaths in Thailand is important information and should be placed in some consistent and relatively easy to find place every day. I shouldn't have to hunt through stories about politics or business to find the data hidden in some "Meanwhile, yesterday..." paragraph at the end. Today I couldn't even find it at all and had to resort to looking online (not a good way to keep your readers).

It would be nice if your daily tally also specifically mentioned caseload in Bangkok, since you are the "Bangkok" Post.

Re: "Health Ministry steps in to defend four doctors," (BP, Aug 4).

I agree with the Public Health Ministry, that the four senior doctors who are being criticised for misleading the country in their recommendations over the choice of vaccines should be treated fairly by the public.

Be that as it may, the final decisions in selecting and buying vaccines lie in the hands of politicians -- not advisers. Hence, in this case, the blame should go to political decision makers -- not advisers or consultants. By the way, the ministry should answer this question: Why is it that today only 6% of our country's 66 million people have been fully vaccinated? Whose fault is this?

Re: "It is a lockdown like no other," (InQuote, July 30).

I agree with Department of Medical Services director-general Somsak Akkasilp, who described the Thai-style lockdown as "a lockdown like no other". With people moving freely about, we are indeed living with a charade lockdown.

Yesterday, I left my home for the first time in more than a week to buy some chillies and vegetables. During my short foray to the local convenience store, I witnessed a steady flow of cars, motorbikes, bicycles and pedestrians moving about the community at will. I noticed a toy store fully open to customers. I observed a group of people dining inside a local restaurant. I cringed at seeing a throng of people mobbing a small sidewalk vendor without even a pretense of distancing.

A group of unmasked construction workers zoomed past jammed together in the back of a pickup truck and another unmasked crew was working on a frivolous walkway in a residential neighbourhood.

Based on even casual observations, it's easy to conclude that the "restrictions" are largely meaningless and will likely have little effect in controlling the spread of Covid-19. If this is what is considered a "lockdown," we might as well lift all restrictions and stop pretending. The country is on a path toward much more misery and death.

A friend of mine who is a traditional Thai herbal doctor complained that she cannot buy empty capsules for her medicines. She bought from her regular supplier but was told they are out of stock. The normal price that she bought at was approximately 80 baht per packet (about 1000 pc). But now it sells at online shops like Shopee and Lazada at 200-plus baht per packet!

How can this happen? People take advantage of every situation and they think they can get rich and sleep well. We will see.