Face Masks, Gel etc

[reader]

From Khaosod English

Some Hospitals Apply ‘Farang Pricing’ for Coronavirus Testing

BANGKOK — At least two hospitals in Bangkok are charging foreigners more for coronavirus tests, a survey found on Monday.

While the vast majority of hospitals surveyed by Khaosod English apply the same fees to Thais and foreigners in their testing, Ramathibodi and Paolo Phaholyothin hospitals charge foreigners by about 40 percent more than Thai nationals.

But regardless of nationalities, coronavirus testing fees in Bangkok generally cost in the thousands. The price is considered so steep that Roongreung Kitpati, an advisor to the Ministry of Health, said Sunday that those without symptoms or at-risk travel history should refrain from getting checkups, which could overcrowd hospitals and use up test kits.

“If you aren’t sick, please don’t get tests because it’s useless and wastes money. Most tests yield negative results. But if you are in an at-risk group, such as contact with the infected, please contact the Department hotline,” Roongreung said.

Many hospitals will also only provide Covid-19 testing if the person has symptoms such as fever over 37.5C, cough, runny rose, respiratory problems, and if they have travel history to an at-risk country, are in contact with someone who returned from such a country or currently has the virus, or are a medical personnel who is in close contact to the infected.

Here are the costs if you do get a coronavirus test at a hospital:

Public/University Hospitals

• Chulalongkorn Memorial Hospital: Tests are 3,000 – 6,000 baht, same price for foreigners. Admission available. 

• Ramathibodi Hospital: Due to limited test kits, testing will only be given to those with Covid-19 symptoms. Tests cost 5,000 baht for Thais, 7,000 baht to foreigners. 

• Siriraj Piyamaharajkarun Hospital: Does not provide Covid tests unless patients already have Covid-19 symptoms. The hospital said they cannot determine the price for a test, since they can only be prescribed by doctors. 

• Bamrasnaradura Infectious Diseases Institute: Tests cost 8,000 – 14,000 baht, but may be free depending on the doctors’ discretion. 

Private Hospitals

• Ramkhamhaeng Hospital: 6,500 baht for a Drive Thru service where doctors will swab your nose and throat. Medical results will be sent through text messages within eight hours. Same price for both Thais and foreigners. Book via their Facebook, though the service is fully booked through Thursday.

• Vichaiyut Hospital: 7,500 baht, not including any prescribed medicine. Same price for Thai and foreigners, but tests are reserved for those showing symptoms.
   
• Bangkok Christian Hospital: 8,200 – 10,000 baht. Same price for Thais and foreigners.
   
• St. Louis Hospital: 8,000 baht but will only test those showing Covid-19 symptoms. Same price for Thais and foreigners.
   
• Phyathai 2 Hospital: 6,500 baht, but will have additional service fees. Same price for Thais and foreigners.
   
• Phyathai 3 Hospital: Same price as Phyathai 2, but will only test on those with symptoms or recent travel to at-risk countries.
   
• Samitivej Sukhumvit Hospital: Will not say how much a test costs. Tests can only be prescribed by doctors, no walk-in check ups available. 
   
• Samitivej Hospital Thonburi: 8,000 – 10,000 baht, same price for foreigners.
   
• Bumrungrad International Hospital: 10,500 baht for those with no Covid-19 symptoms, test results available within 48 hours. Those with symptoms pay 7,500 – 18,500 baht, but the hospital will not admit Covid-19 patients. They will be sent to other hospitals.
   
• Paolo Phaholyothin Hospital: 5,000 baht for Thais, 7,000 baht to foreigners.
   
• PatRangsit Hospital: 8,000 baht for both Thais and foreigners.
   
• Praram 9 Hospital: 10,000 baht for patients with symptoms, 8,000 baht for those without. Same price for Thais and foreigners.
   
• Mongkutwattana Hospital: 6,000 baht for both Thais and foreigners. 

Covid-19 Tests Unavailable At:

• BNH Hospital
• Samitivej Srinakarin Hospital
• Bangkok Hospital
• Siriraj Hospital
• Rajavithi Hospital; but treats patients sent via the Department of Disease Control for free. 

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/news/crimecourtscalamity/2020/03/16/some-hospitals-apply-farang-pricing-for-coronavirus-testing/

 

[spoon]

This is why the number of positive cases are low, the cost of testing is too high. Its supposed to be free testing for at risk group as refusal to go test equals the virus spreading everywhere

[anddy]

45 minutes ago, spoon said:

This is why the number of positive cases are low, the cost of testing is too high. Its supposed to be free testing for at risk group as refusal to go test equals the virus spreading everywhere

same as in USA

[spoon]

16 minutes ago, anddy said:

same as in USA

Us recently passed the bill to absorb the cost of testing of course after the virus is already nationwide.

[DivineMadman]

Somewhere I read that the suspicion on the exorbitantly high pricing at the private hospitals was that those hospitals really don't want the hassle of COVID-19 patients, so they are using the high pricing to deter people from going there.

[reader]

It seems that their biggest fear is having their ER's or out-patient facilities contaminated.

The government appears lax in designating where a person who suspects they are infected can go and be assured of treatment and testing (if warranted). Most working class Thais cannot readily afford the cost of testing.

If this indeed does get out of hand, the fallout from lack of coordination will quickly surface.

[DivineMadman]

11 minutes ago, reader said:

If this indeed does get out of hand, the fallout from lack of coordination will quickly surface.

#ผู้นําโง่เราจะตายกันหมด is reportedly trending on Thai social media.  It translates roughly to "Our leader is stupid, we are all going to die."  

[There is a bit of a story behind the phrasing - not sure it's relevant]

[spoon]

Malaysia just announce movement restriction order or partial lockdown. Closing of all but essential services until end of march. This is after another 125 new case reported today. 

[ggobkk]

ผู้นําโง่เราจะตายกันหมด -  USA!  

I live in northern California in a university town.  Almost everything is already closed or ordered shut by the end of the day.  The California governor directed all folks of a certain age or older to self quarantine.  I'm applying the hashtag to the national leadership who believed the coronavirus could be wished away and lost precious preparatory time. 

Up the hill at the local university's deep learning think tank, the algorithmic blessed are projecting (among themselves) the US will hit max sometime between the end of March and April 9th.  Max is defined as when all intensive care units in the country are at capacity - this is based on 87 infections per 100,000 persons.  I am not among the algorithmic blest so the numbers may be off...but ผู้นําโง่เราจะตายกันหมด

 

[reader]

From Khaosod English

Trade Chief Resigns Over Mask Hoarding Scandals

BANGKOK — The head of the Internal Trade Department resigned on Monday amid allegations that he colluded with the hoarding and profiteering of millions of sanitary masks.

Whichai Phochanakij submitted his resignation just hours after the government abruptly removed him from office and transferred to an inactive post. In an interview with reporters, he maintained he had nothing to do with the alleged stockpiling and sales of 200 million face masks to China.

“On the bright side, this is a good thing to do because I worked so hard that I had to undertake a brain surgery once,” Whichai said.

He continued, “But what really hurt me is that people believed in fake news more than reality. I confirm that the stockpiling of those 200 million face masks doesn’t exist because the current production capacity takes four months to reach that number. Therefore, you will never find it because it doesn’t exist.”

His transfer was signed yesterday by PM Prayut Chan-o-cha, who said in the order that it is aimed “to build confidence among people.”

Prior to his removal from the office, Whichai was at the center of a controversy relating to the acute shortage of face masks in Thailand, which have since come under oversight of the department.

https://www.khaosodenglish.com/politics/2020/03/16/trade-chief-resigns-over-mask-hoarding-scandals/

[DivineMadman]

Thai people begin hoarding essentials.

[PeterRS]

This video by a Vietnamese pop star has gone viral. It focuses on the need for hand washing in a fun way. Interesting that it was made more than a month ago at a time when few seemed to have been paying much attention to the importance of hand washing!  Apologies if it has already been posted.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ctF5aMV05kM

[anddy]

not that it matters much to most members,  but alcohol hand gel is now available everywhere. and I mean EVERYwhere. Tops supermarket is selling it, Watson's have at least 5 different kinds/brands, and even street vendors sell it now. 

[vinapu]

11 hours ago, anddy said:

  but alcohol hand gel is now available everywhere.

I like gin better

[traveller123]

1 hour ago, vinapu said:

I like gin better

You will not get that in Thailand now.

The province where I live has the most stringent ban on alcohol sales in Thailand - April 2nd to April 30th

[Boy69]

https://thethaiger.com/coronavirus/scientist-and-corporations-desperately-fight-to-find-a-reliable-vaccine-for-covid-19

 

 

Scientist and corporations desperately fight to find a reliable vaccine for Covid-19

[vinapu]

5 hours ago, traveller123 said:

The province where I live has the most stringent ban on alcohol sales in Thailand - April 2nd to April 30th

May 1st is around the corner

[Guest]

6 hours ago, traveller123 said:

The province where I live has the most stringent ban on alcohol sales in Thailand - April 2nd to April 30th

Clearly the political leaders have a repressive mentality and like to interfere in matters which would be considered none of their damn business in most liberal democracies.   

[anddy]

23 minutes ago, z909 said:

Clearly the political leaders have a repressive mentality and like to interfere in matters which would be considered none of their damn business in most liberal democracies.   

....while almost all liberal democracies are currently engaging in highly repressive measures against their populations.

Just before the Easter weekend a court in Germany lifted a ban imposed by the regional government for visits to the Baltic coast. Rightly so, because what risk of virus transmission is there on an incredibly spacious and windy beach? Close to none I'd say, common sense says, and the court says, ruling the measure "disproportionate" and thus illegal. Goes to show that political leaders in said liberal democracies have an equally repressive mentality and interfere in matters they shouldn't. 

On the general issue of lockdown and proposals for a more measured approach to just quarantine the elderly and otherwise at-risk people, the German minister for family affairs said it would be unfair towards those people. What kind of repressive mind is that?

So in this situation these mind sets are everywhere, common sense seems to completely out of fashion. The alcohol ban is rather harmless in comparison, and possibly justified as the government knows their people and how they like to flout the rules....

[traveller123]

17 hours ago, z909 said:

Clearly the political leaders have a repressive mentality and like to interfere in matters which would be considered none of their damn business in most liberal democracies.   

I can appreciate the logic behind the ban.

Although Thai New Year has been postponed it is reliably said and I can see it locally that many Thais from the NE living and working in Bangkok, Pattaya etc have lost their jobs and have returned to their villages in Isaan where I'm sure if they could they would still gather and have parties to celebrate the New Year

In my Province the fine for selling alcohol is 100,000 baht which hubby tells me has even stopped the small village shops selling beer.

IMO if it stops the spread in Isaan where there are a lot of vulnerable old people I can put up with being dry and console myself it's good for my liver and there are only 17 days to go. (Am I counting? YES I am)

[reader]

From South China Morning Post

China bans two medical equipment exporters

Beijing has banned two companies from exporting medical equipment after they were found to be selling poor quality products and “seriously tarnishing China’s national image”.

Shenzhen-based Aibaoda Technology and Beijing-based Tus Data Asset, two little known players in the medical equipment industry, will no longer be able to export products relating to the control of Covid-19 after overseas buyers returned their goods, the Ministry of Commerce said in a statement on Monday.

The ban is the latest bid by China to crack down on faulty medical exports and comes amid a flurry of bad headlines about defective masks and testing kits shipped to Europe and the United States, which now account for more than 80 per cent of the world’s nearly 2 million coronavirus infections.

The ministry did not offer details on the faulty equipment sold by the two companies, but neither had worked with medical products until recently.

Aibaoda, a 15-employee company backed by Taiwanese audiovisual firm Aipo International, previously sold earphones, microphones and loudspeakers, while Tus Data Asset developed blockchain technology and electronic equipment.

“We started to export masks not long ago … we were not exporting any medical supplies other than masks,” an Aibaoda spokesman, who only gave his surname Li, told the South China Morning Post. “We don’t manufacture masks, we just bought the masks from somewhere else and exported them.”

The company expanded its business in February to sell masks, disinfectants, protective suits, safety goggles, disposable gloves, thermometers and other medical equipment to cash in on soaring demand, although it did not make the products, according to the spokesman.

The company joined hundreds of other Chinese firms in virtually transforming their businesses overnight to supply or manufacture medical equipment as the virus spread around the globe in March.

Before the outbreak, China made about half of the world’s supply of masks, at a rate of 20 million units a day, according to the state planning agency. That jumped to 116 million units at the end of February.

The second company subject to the ban, Tus Data Asset, was controlled by the state-owned Tus Shareholdings. Company registration records show Tus Data Asset changed its business model on March 23 to include the sale of medical equipment.

China, the world’s largest producer of face masks and protective gowns, has come under fire over the export of defective medical gear recently.

In late March, Dutch officials recalled 600,000 masks manufactured in China because they did not meet standards for adequate filter performance or proper fit.

Spain stopped using rapid Covid-19 test kits made by a Chinese company after research showed it was not accurate enough.

Turkey has also said a number of sample test kits were faulty, while the Czech Republic said that up to 80 per cent an order of 300,000 rapid coronavirus test kits did not work properly.

In April, Australia seized 800,000 counterfeit masks that arrived from China by air, although most products had passed Australian regulations.

https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3079887/coronavirus-china-bans-two-medical-equipment-exporters

 

[Guest]

On 4/13/2020 at 12:47 PM, anddy said:

....while almost all liberal democracies are currently engaging in highly repressive measures against their populations.

 

You have a point, but asking people to stay at home has a direct effect on transmission of the Covid disease, so there is a significant reason for this.    Also in some countries, people are required to stay at home, but in many others, they are merely asked to do so.   

There seems to be a sliding scale, from Sweden where people have more or less been asked to make responsible decisions themselves all the way down to Thailand, where the government does not even trust the population to regulate their own alcohol consumption.   It seems slightly vindictive.

 

[anddy]

10 hours ago, z909 said:

You have a point, but asking people to stay at home has a direct effect on transmission of the Covid disease, so there is a significant reason for this.    Also in some countries, people are required to stay at home, but in many others, they are merely asked to do so.   

There seems to be a sliding scale, from Sweden where people have more or less been asked to make responsible decisions themselves all the way down to Thailand, where the government does not even trust the population to regulate their own alcohol consumption.   It seems slightly vindictive.

 

exactly, there is a sliding scale, and that's because (a) nobody has ever tried this whole virus containment thing on this scale before and (b) there are vastly different cultures to contend with. In Sweden with a highly educated population with a high sense of responsibility and mutual trust (both among the people and between people and government) you can do (or try) that way. In other countries (notably Thailand), you can not. They know their habits and that allowing alcohol may and will lead to lots of unwanted parties = potential virus spreading. so, as @traveller123 said, there is logic.

Your assessment of "vindictive" seems a very subjective, western view.