OPINION

Adapt or die

Re: "Commerce Ministry puts 2022 export growth at 3-4%", (Business, Dec 28).

"Next year, the [Joint Standing Committee on Commerce, Industry and Banking] proposed the government speed up efforts on the regulatory guillotine, eliminating outdated laws and regulations that hinder business activities and public services."

Maybe I have not been vigilant, but it seems to me the government has continued to "issue more outdated laws and regulations", much as a general in the midst of war barks orders, many of which change the previous order completely and without rhyme or reason. History has shown that Thailand's economy always does better with a civilian government.

Re: "Playing Defence", (PostBag, Dec 25).

I am well aware that if 100% of the people in a country are vaccinated then obviously everyone who dies from Covid-19 in the country will have been vaccinated. That's why I noted in several letters that the rate of vaccinations in certain countries and states was LOWER than the death rate of the vaccinated. For example, I noted that although 70% of the people in Sweden who died from Covid in September were fully vaccinated, only 65% of the people in that country were fully vaccinated at the time.

For the last time, I think it's important to urge the readers to Google "Increases in Covid-19 are unrelated to levels of vaccinations, European Journal of Epidemiology". The studies involved 68 countries and over 2,000 counties in America and found that the highest rates of Covid infections were in places which had the highest rates of vaccination. I am telling you, dear readers, that the mainstream media is not giving you the facts and that's why I'm so angry.

Re: "2,437 new Covid cases, 18 more deaths", (BP Online, Dec 27).

The excessive fear-mongering when discussing Covid-related stats without a proper or balanced perspective is a form of disinformation.

The front-page article about Omicron says "Thailand logged 2,437 new Covid-19 cases and 18 more fatalities in the previous 24 hours". This would mean there is a 99.27% chance of recovery. If the government led with "99.27% recovered from Covid-19", this would lessen the fear porn being generated over the issue of how many of the 18 fatalities were truly "healthy" and had no underlying health issues, which would also lend a greater understanding of the stats being shared.

Re: "Hijab not oppressive", (PostBag, Dec 27).

Is the hijab, which I find very attractive, offensive to some people? Or is it the burka that covers most of the woman's body and her face? Facial expressions are all part of understanding what the speaker is trying to say and covering it hinders this understanding. A sarcastic remark sometimes relies on a twitch of the lips and a twinkle of the eye. Without it, it may be misunderstood and taken as an insult. Maybe this is what some people object to. Unfortunately, due to face masks, you now smile alone.