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From Bangkok Post Thai doctors say two drug groups help cure patient Anti-flu, AIDS medications speed up recovery, say Rajavithi doctors Thai doctors have declared the use of anti-flu and AIDS drugs a success in treating coronavirus patients after using them on a Chinese woman with severe symptoms. Two doctors from Rajavithi Hospital in Bangkok — Dr Kriangsak Atipornwanich, an expert physician, and Assoc Prof Dr Subsai Kongsangdao, a specialist — said at a briefing in Bangkok that improvements were seen in the 71-year-old woman 48 hours after administering the two groups of medications. The woman was admitted first to Hua Hin Hospital and then transferred to Rajavithi Hospital on Jan 29. After finding she had severe symptoms, the doctors decided to use oseltamivir, an anti-flu drug used to treat the Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS), as well as lopinavir and ritonavir, two AIDS drugs. Dr Kriangsak acknowleged that the Chinese had already been using AIDS medications to treat the novel coronavirus. "We checked related information and found MERS had been effectively treated by anti-flu drugs so we combined both groups of medications with effective results. “After poor lab tests for 10 days, the test finally turned positive after 48 hours of administering the medications. The treatment, as well as the recovery, is fast,” he said. They noted they had reported the discovery to a medical journal and would use the drugs on additional patients. The two groups of drugs are effective on patients with serious symptoms, they said. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1849024/thai-doctors-say-two-drug-groups-help-cure-patient

From South China Morning Post China reports outbreak of deadly bird flu among chickens in Hunan province, close to coronavirus epicentre of Wuhan Bird flu outbreak in Hunan province, which lies on the southern border of Hubei province, the epicentre of the coronavirus outbreak Bird flu is much deadlier than either Sars or the coronavirus, but as of yet no human cases have been reported in this outbreak China has reported an outbreak of the deadly H5N1 bird flu in Hunan province, which lies on the southern border of Hubei province, the epicentre of the rapidly spreading coronavirus. “The outbreak occurred in a farm in the Shuangqing district of Shaoyang city. The farm has 7,850 chickens, and 4,500 of the chickens have died from the contagion. Local authorities have culled 17,828 poultry after the outbreak,” according to a statement by China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs on Saturday. No human cases of the Hunan H5N1 virus have been reported. The Hunan H5N1 outbreak comes even as the Chinese authorities continue to scramble to contain the spread of the novel coronavirus, further stretching the nation’s already heavily strained resources needed to combat the health threats. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/society/article/3048566/china-reports-outbreak-deadly-bird-flu-among-chickens-hunan

From Vietnam News Hotel clerk becomes sixth Vietnam coronavirus case KHÁNH HOÀ — A receptionist at a hotel in the popular beach city of Nha Trang has become the sixth confirmed coronavirus patient in Việt Nam. The Ministry of Health on Saturday confirmed the 25-year-old is the sixth person to test positive for the pneumonia-like virus and the first Vietnamese to catch the virus via human-to-human transmission in the country. The woman works at a hotel in the south-central province of Khánh Hoà, a popular destination for Chinese and Russian tourists. The health ministry has subsequently declared a coronavirus epidemic in Khánh Hoà Province in light of this new case. On January 17, the patient had reportedly come into close contact with the first confirmed cases of nCoV infection in Việt Nam – a Chinese father and son from the epicentre of the novel coronavirus outbreak, China’s Wuhan city. Two days later, she suffered from light coughing and a fever but did not go to the hospital and only bought over-the-counter medicines, which relieved her fever. On January 24, when the father and son’s test results returned positive, her clinical samples were collected and sent for further analyses at the Pasteur Institute of Nha Trang. https://vietnamnews.vn/society/591717/viet-nam-announces-sixth-coronavirus-case.html

Hope it wouldn't be too much trouble if a frequent poster like yourself could commit to informing members of the pharmacy where you were able find face masks in Bangkok.

From Bangkok Post Coronavirus explained: why we shouldn't panic A scientist at Mahidol University explains Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCov) and predicts the likelihood of a pandemic. Cases of a new coronavirus in China have jumped to over 9,600, with 213 deaths, local health authorities said on Friday, after the World Health Organization declared the outbreak a global public health emergency overnight. — Video by Patpon Sabpaitoon https://www.bangkokpost.com/vdo/thailand/1848434/coronavirus-explained-why-we-shouldnt-panic#cxrecs_s

From Bangkok Post Pattaya hotels suffer as Chinese stay home Occupancy as low as 10% in wake of virus-linked ban on group tours PATTAYA: Hotel bookings in the resort city have plunged in the wake of the coronavirus outbreak that has forced the Chinese government to keep its citizens at home in a bid to contain the outbreak. Agents from China had cancelled rooms in Pattaya after Beijing imposed a ban on tour groups from travelling abroad, said Pakmon Wongyai, the president of the Thai Hotels Association’s Eastern Region. Tour groups account for about 40% of all Chinese travellers to Thailand, who numbered nearly 11 million, or 28% of all foreign arrivals last year. Trips abroad by individual Chinese travellers are also being discouraged, and in any case many could face screening or quarantine in destination countries. The week-long Chinese New Year holiday, which began this year on Jan 25, is normally one of the peak periods for the hotel business in Pattaya, but there has been nothing to celebrate this year. Last year, Thailand received 1 million Chinese visitors in January and again in February. Chinese New Year last year fell on Feb 5. Ms Pakmon, who operates the Brighton Pattaya Hotel, said some member hotels were seeing occupancy of 10% or lower because of virus worries and the ban on Chinese group tours.

From Bangkok Post PHUKET: The narrow laneways and pastel-coloured shophouses of Phuket Old Town are usually bustling with Chinese tourists during the Lunar New Year holiday, but travel bans and local fears about coronavirus have largely emptied the streets this year. Just a handful of tourists, many wearing face masks, strolled through the area during daylight hours this week. In the evening, foot traffic increased a little under the glow of the red lanterns strung across the thoroughfare, but remained far below normal levels. Tour bus operators say 300 of their coaches have been idled because there are no passengers. "The impact is tremendous," 45-year old Ausana Akaradachakul told Reuters as she waited behind the counter for shoppers in her store selling postcards, straw bags, clothing and jewellery. "Only a few days after the news broke about the virus, the Chinese tourists were visibly few," Akaradachakul said. "I think about 70% of them are gone." The beach resort of Phuket is Thailand's second most visited destination after Bangkok and is usually a big draw for visitors from China, who accounted for 11 million visitors last year, particularly around the Lunar New Year holiday.

NOTE -- This is among the most objective and comprehensive articles I've come across on this topic. From NYTimes How Bad Will the Coronavirus Outbreak Get? Here Are 6 Key Factors How contagious is the virus? It seems moderately infectious, similar to SARS. How deadly is the virus? It’s hard to know yet. But the mortality rate is probably less than 3 percent, much less than SARS. How long does it take to show symptoms? Possibly between 2 to 14 days, allowing the illness to go undetected. How much have infected people traveled? The virus spread quickly because it started in a transportation hub. How effective will the response be? The W.H.O. has praised China’s efforts, but critics fear lockdown measures may not be enough. How long will it take to develop a vaccine? A vaccine is still a year away — at minimum. Continues with supporting data and graphics https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/world/asia/china-coronavirus-contain.html

From Bangkok Post Human transmission of coronavirus confirmed in Thailand Thailand has seen its first case of human-to-human transmission of the new coronavirus inside the country, a senior Public Health official said on Friday. The patient is a Thai taxi driver, Tanarak Pipat, deputy director-general of the Department of Disease Control, said on Friday. "The Thai person who was infected does not have a record of travelling to China and it is likely that he was infected by a sick traveller from China," Dr Tanarak said.Previous cases in Thailand have all been either Chinese tourists or Thais who had visited China, where the virus originated. This raised the number of confirmed infections in Thailand to 19. Dr Sopon Iamsirithavorn, director of the Bureau of General Communicable Diseases, earlier told reporters on Friday morning that two cabbies who had picked up Chinese tourists later fell ill and sought treatment two days ago. The tourists had arrived in Thailand before the Chinese government suspended outbound trips by its citizens, he said. Human-to-human transmission of the virus has also been confirmed in other countries - including Germany, Japan, South Korea and the United States, Dr Sopon said. Dr Sopon Iamsirithavorn, director of the Bureau of General Communicable Diseases, earlier told reporters on Friday morning that two cabbies who had picked up Chinese tourists later fell ill and sought treatment two days ago. The tourists had arrived in Thailand before the Chinese government suspended outbound trips by its citizens, he said. ======================================================= From South China Morning Post Singapore closes borders to all Chinese travellers to stem spread of coronavirus The island nation is the first Southeast Asian country to bar all visitors from the mainland It has also reported three new cases of the virus, bringing its total to 16, including the first Singaporean to be infected https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/health-environment/article/3048441/singapore-closes-borders-all-chinese-travellers-stem https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1847884/human-transmission-of-coronavirus-confirmed-in-thailand

From Bangkok Post Two held for sharing fake news on virus Two people were arrested on Thursday in a crackdown on misleading information being posted on social media in relation to the new coronavirus, Digital Economy and Society (DES) Minister Buddhipongse Punnakanta said. He said officials from the DES Ministry and the Royal Thai Police’s Technology Crime Suppression Division (TCSD) obtained court warrants to search 15 locations and found six suspected cases related to fake news that have been causing fear and confusion. Of the six suspects, two were charged under the 2017 Computer Crime Act’s Section 14 (2), he said. The charges were in relation to a false report about infections in Pattaya and an edited video clip of a Chinese man collapsing. Section 14 (2) concerns the “uploading of false information into the computer system, which is bound to damage national security and cause public disorder”. The minister said the Anti Fake News Centre, supervised by the DES Ministry, has received 7,587 items of suspected fake news from Saturday to Wednesday. Most of them involved fake patients, the alleged scrapping of thermal screening at airports, allegations of the number of infections being covered up and claims that some products can kill the virus. To counter the spread of fake news, he said the ministry was working with health authorities to produce easy-to-understand infographics for public distribution. “When it comes to health, people will believe and share anything,” he said, urging people to check facts before they forward any content. The minister said the Anti Fake News Centre, supervised by the DES Ministry, has received 7,587 items of suspected fake news from Saturday to Wednesday. Most of them involved fake patients, the alleged scrapping of thermal screening at airports, allegations of the number of infections being covered up and claims that some products can kill the virus. To counter the spread of fake news, he said the ministry was working with health authorities to produce easy-to-understand infographics for public distribution. “When it comes to health, people will believe and share anything,” he said, urging people to check facts before they forward any content. https://www.bangkokpost.com/thailand/general/1847099/two-held-for-sharing-fake-news-on-viru

Do you have any info on the Vietnam locations, please?

From Coconuts Bangkok Beijing talks Thailand out of evacuating Wuhan as virus transmissions reported outside China Thailand has shelved plans to evacuate its citizens from the Chinese city where a viral outbreak was first detected at Beijing’s urging as confirmed infections in the kingdom rose to 14. Tana Weskosith of the Foreign Affairs Ministry told reporters that China is confident it can look after the students and workers trapped inside the Wuhan exclusionary zone that has expanded to essentially quarantine at least 50 million people. “China has absolute restrictions on entry and exit from Wuhan and does not allow anyone to travel in and out in order to strictly control the spread of the coronavirus. Thailand has to strictly comply with such a measure. Therefore, we cannot fly the C-130 plane to pick up our people, but, what we have to do is to rehearse the guidelines and prepare measures to be ready if and when the evacuation plan is allowed by China,” Tana said. Somehow those strict measures didn’t stop Japan and the United States from evacuating their citizens. About 200 Japanese evacuees landed safely in Tokyo this morning; the Americans airlifted 240 people. The Thai response has invited strong criticism and calls for tighter travel restrictions. Five million residents of Wuhan, China, left the city for Chinese New Year travel before travel was cut off, according to that city’s mayor. The government and military had announced a rescue plan following a viral plea from one of the students trapped there, who said they had insufficient food and wanted to come home. Cathay Pacific and Hong Kong airlines have announced they would halve the number of flights to mainland China. The former will do so progressively starting tomorrow. Rival Hong Kong airlines said it would cut more than 200 of such flights until Feb. 11. https://coconuts.co/bangkok/news/beijing-talks-thailand-out-of-evacuating-wuhan-as-virus-transmissions-reported-outside-china/

If you intend to wear a face mask, it would indeed be wise to bring them with you. As of yesterday, they were unavailable in many Bangkok outlets, including the Chula Pharmacy on Rama 4 that ranks among the better suppliers to locals and the nearby medical community. They told a friend that they were awaiting delivery of new supplies. In many US cities, they are also unavailable as the Corona virus scare multiplies.

Point well taken: it's easy to get fixated on the Corona virus because it dominates the news cycle. The common flu (and associated pneumonia) claims a huge number of lives world-wide each year. The World Health Organization chart and map (see link below) plots deaths from flu and pneumonia world wide as of 2017. Here's a sampling of the rankings of nations that may be of interest to readers of this forum: 24 - Philippines 53 - Laos 54 - Malaysia 56 - Singapore 57- Thailand 62 - India 67 - Cambodia 78 - Myanmar 90 - Japan 101 -Russia 117 - Vietnam 119- U.K. 131- S. Korea 147- U.S. 148- China 162- New Zealand 163- Germany 169- Australia 170- Canada See complete chart and map at https://www.worldlifeexpectancy.com/cause-of-death/influenza-pneumonia/by-country/

The link provides a lot of interesting data but the number of infants killed by the flu this year is actually 54. From link above: "To put the risk in more context, the current US flu season has killed 54 infants so far, according to CDC. And in the first two weeks of 2020, the flu has killed more than 5,000 people in the US, mostly through associated pneumonia."

From CNN ....in public ports I know the feeling: Your battery is low, but you have to keep tweeting. You see a USB port or an outlet in public, plug in your device and feel the sweet relief of your phone charging. That comfort could be shattered by an invisible attacker collecting information while your phone is plugged in to a hacked outlet. "Just by plugging your phone into a [compromised] power strip or charger, your device is now infected, and that compromises all your data," Drew Paik of security firm Authentic8 explained. Authentic8 makes Silo, a secure browser that anonymizes web activity. Public charging stations and wi-fi access points are found in places like airports, planes, conference centers and parks, so people can always have access to their phones and data. But connecting your phone to an unknown port has its risks. The cord you use to charge your phone is also used to send data from your phone to other devices. For instance, when you plug your iPhone into your Mac with the charging cord, you can download photos from your phone to your computer. If a port is compromised, there's no limit to what information a hacker could take, Paik explained. That includes your email, text messages, photos and contacts. It's called "juice jacking," a term coined by researchers back in 2011. Last year, the same researchers demonstrated "video jacking," using hacked ports and your phone's video display to record everything you type and look at. Continues at https://money.cnn.com/2017/02/15/technology/public-ports-charging-bad-stop/index.html

"Bargain," albeit, is a subjective term. Not knowing what dates you're looking at, I spot checked Agoda and Hotels.com for Silom area on Feb. 24-25. The following prices appeared attractive: Mid-rage options: Raya, $58; Bandera Suites, $52; Ban Silom, $36; Fumara, $49; Silom Serene, $46; Trinity Silom, $42. Coming in above the $60 range were Tarntawan Surawong and Holiday Inn Express, both at $61. Economy options: Red Planet, $29; Glitz, $33; Nantra, $19.

+1

If you're a contrarian investor with your time and money, the first quarter of 2020 may indeed prove to be a good opportunity to visit the LOS. Consider what's happened in the past week in the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak: 1. Tourism authorities predict hotels and other travel-related businesses will take a big hit 2. The baht has lost ground to the dollar, pound and Euro 3. China has canceled packaged tours and many outbound flights All this will likely be reversed as quickly as it has come about when the threat is contained. In meantime, however, you stand to become a more hansum man.

From Khaosod English Tourists Still Don’t Know About These Decades-Old Street Food in Bangkok Just south of Sathorn Road are clusters of back-to-back street food shops who’ve been serving hungry locals and honing their craft for decades. By paying as little as 40 baht, you could get a dish of noodles and fish balls that someone has spent 40 years perfecting in this neighborhood along the streets of Chan, Saint Louis, and Sathu Pradit. Plus, they’re largely free of tourists, so you’ll actually be eating what locals eat, not what Instagram influencers/backpackers are snacking on. Ride up and down Chan Road on the following red hop-on-hop-off song taew buses: 1256, 1271, 1279. Taxi drivers, Grab Bike riders, and bros daring each other to finish multiple huge bowls are just some of the regulars that come to an unnamed shop serving huge bowls of egg noodles since the 1970s. “One big bowl used to be just 50 satang. My mom wanted to give huge portions to working people who need lots of energy,” said Weera Nopparatcharoeksuk, who took over from his parents about 10 years ago, as he swirls noodles with a stick in hot water. “We can charge cheaply because we make the noodles ourselves.” The shop’s specialty is Bamee jub gung, literally “coolie egg noodles,” a dish popularized by Chinese laborers in the past, who needed cheap, high-energy dishes. There are three sizes to choose from: 30 baht, 40 baht, and 45 baht: or in layman’s terms, large, larger, and largest. The noodles have no added color – the light yellow is all from the eggs. We couldn’t even make a dent in the 45 baht noodles (and we asked for extra, free pork rib broth as well), a pile of eggy goodness with thick chunks of grilled pork and homemade pork wontons. “Most of my customers are men, but I’ve had some ladies come in and finish a 40 baht bowl while a guy couldn’t finish a 30 baht one,” Weera said. Fun fact: Although the shop doesn’t have an official name. Locals have christened it “Bamee Jub Gung Pa Pranee” or Aunt Pranee’s Coolie Noodles, after Weera’s mom. Open 9am to 2pm Mondays through Saturdays at Soi Chan 43, Yaek 11. Continues with more listings, photos, video and map link http://www.khaosodenglish.com/featured/2020/01/25/tourists-still-dont-know-about-these-decades-old-street-food-in-bangkok/

I think the status of the Thai and Chinese economies will be the overriding factor, particularly the value of Silom real estate. Twilight was the mainstay of gay Bangkok for a long spell until the land below and sky above beckoned developers. Now that Patpong has quickly absorbed that role, it's success over the next decade will be partly ruled by the same forces. The Silom venues (including Moonlight and Jupiter) need a stable influx of Chinese customers to make the numbers work. The proliferation of massage shops scattered around the area (especially along Surawong) likewise would have a tough time without them. Not a gay venue (although many of its customers are), Prime is one of the few that could survive. Because of its large local following, Soi 4 is somewhat immune. Nevertheless there could be a pruning of venues in a serious economic downturn like the financial crisis of 1997. At the moment, the economy of Thailand is fairly stable but it faces increased headwinds, the most immediate of which is the strong baht. Beyond that it's political future is one of those "black swan" events that economists worry about. The booming economy of China is expected to slow during the decade but continue to dominate the region and--to a lesser degree--the rest of the world. A prosperous China means a continued flow of customers--male and female--that fuel gay Bangkok. ASEAN neighbors can be expected to slowly increase while western clientele numbers will be lucky to remain stable. As for individual venues, there has always been an on-going evolution of clubs. That will continue as a few go by the wayside while others consolidate or go out of business. Nothing new there. That said, gays--regardless of where they're from---know that Bangkok is one of the best destinations where they can feel unencumbered by their preference.

NOTE -- It's clear to me that all posters who contributed to this thread have strong views about the environment and how it affects those who live in an visit our favorite city. We may come at the issue from different angles but all make valid points. I think the following article illustrates the need to arrive at workable solutions to air pollution. From Bangkok Post PM2.5 clogs Bangkok marathon decision Air pollution in Bangkok has stymied Thailand's dream of becoming the marathon capital of Asia, with the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT) determining this weekend if the Amazing Thailand Marathon Bangkok 2020 (ATMBKK) has to be cancelled. The 3rd edition of the marathon, sponsored by the government, is set for Feb 2. Of the 28,000 people registered for this race, 20% are foreign participants, said Tourism and Sports Minister Phiphat Ratchakitprakarn. "If the air pollution is at an unhealthy level and harmful to runners, we don't have a choice -- we must cancel this event. Hopefully, we can still keep going like last time," said Mr Phiphat, referring to the 2019 edition of the race, also haunted by poor air quality. As a co-host, the agency is monitoring the pollution level on a daily basis and will follow the Public Health Ministry's instruction on whether to withdraw this year's event, said TAT governor Yuthasak Supasorn. However, if the event continues with the same schedule, all necessary preparations are already in place. The agency is seeking cooperation from stakeholders such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration to ask construction sites along the running route to stop working three days before the race. The road will be cleaned thoroughly to wash away the dust. More water stops will be available to runners, as well as increased misting fans to clear the toxic miasma. Mr Yuthasak said the decision must be made this weekend as 6,000-7,000 foreigners have to plan their trips in advance. https://www.bangkokpost.com/business/1842349/pm2-5-clogs-bangkok-marathon-decision#cxrecs_s

From Khaosod English Scholar Fears Massive Renovation of Iconic Avenue May Erase History BANGKOK — Works are underway to tear down buildings along a 1,200-meter stretch of the iconic Ratchadamnoen Avenue and rebuild them under a new architectural style per orders from the Crown Property Bureau, who owns the land. According to its website, the bureau – which manages assets and properties on behalf of His Majesty the King – pledged to renovate 10 buildings on the avenue in a “neoclassical” style, ditching the art deco look originally implemented in the spirit of a 1932 revolution that overthrew the absolute monarchy. The announcement, which promises to be the biggest alteration to the Ratchadamnoen Avenue since 1940, drew praises from some who believe the redo would attract more businesses and tourists, while a historian expressed unease at that memories attached to the democratic revolution would be erased along with the avenue’s old look. Ratchadamnoen Avenue is perhaps the most politically charged landmark in the capital; its history symbolizing the ebb and flow of the ideological struggles that define the last century of Thai politics. Construction first began in 1899, ordered by King Rama V who wished to imitate the modern, grand avenues that he witnessed during his European tour. Historians said the avenue also doubles as a projection of power by the the king’s absolute monarchy regime. Though each end of the avenue stood two spectacular palaces, much of the road was home to empty lots and trees, until a revolution in 1932 overthrew the king’s direct rule and replaced it with a parliamentary democracy. The revolutionaries, who called themselves the People’s Party, soon set out to fill Ratchadamnoen Avenue with buildings designed under art deco style, said architectural historian Chatri Prakitnonthakan. He said art deco was chosen by the revolutionaries to signify a break with the feudal past. Their project was formally inaugurated in 1940, including the Democracy Monument that was placed right in the middle of the avenue. But despite their historical and cultural significance, they are not considered “protected buildings” under the law, and therefore subject to any plan of demolition or renovation – such as the one happening right now. Continues with historical and contemporary photos http://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/2020/01/23/scholar-fears-massive-renovation-of-iconic-avenue-may-erase-history/

Of course she does: "What caused the high levels of air pollution in Bangkok last winter? The major sources of PM2.5 particles are exhaust from car engines, power plants, and agricultural waste burning, which lead to a number of theories - stagnant air flow, old diesel cars, coal power plants, and agricultural burning from neighboring provinces." The again, I could be talking about "cars" and you could be talking about, well..... "cars". It's the crap that you can't see--like colorless, odorless and tasteless carbon monoxide--that is among the more dangerous emissions.

From NY Times How Gay Art Survives in Beijing, as Censors Tighten Grip The artist Gao Jianxiang at his Beijing studio, foreground, with his gallerist, Pierre Alivon, whose gallery ART.Des in the Chinese capital shows gay-themed work.Credit...Pierre Alivon From the outside, the facade of Destination (a prominent Beijing venue that expressly welcomes gay people) is downright drab. But inside this four-story cultural center on the east side of the city, the works in the nonprofit art gallery can push boundaries. This is no easy feat as censorship restrictions have been tightening in China under President Xi Jinping. And, although same-sex relations were decriminalized in 1997, gay Beijingers say they continue to face discrimination. They look longingly to Taiwan, where a recent decision to legalize same-sex marriage on the self-ruled island of 24 million is being celebrated throughout the world. Taiwan has long been the heart of gay Asia. In mainland China, acceptance of same-sex couples has progressed at a glacial rate. Many gay Chinese will never come out to their family, and there are still gay conversion centers around the country. However, there is a quietly present gay community in Beijing. Destination, which opened 15 years ago as a nightclub and has since expanded to become a cultural center, is one of the few places where gay men can be open about their sexual orientation, according to observers. Since the center’s opening, its clientele has remained mostly gay men, but it’s more than just a place to find a date. The center provides anonymous H.I.V. testing, practice rooms for a men’s choir, yoga and dance classes. And on the third floor, the art gallery, ART. Des, provides a window into the current state of gay art in Beijing. Continues at https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/17/travel/gay-art-beijing-china.html