This article contains:
Governmental Roles in the COVID-19 Outbreak Within Thailand and Foreign Countries
COVID-19 Health Myths
Vaccines or Medications for the COVID-19
Governmental Roles in the COVID-19 Outbreak Within Thailand and Foreign Countries
Written By: Paphapin Pairojtanachai
Amidst the COVID-19 situation, decrees aimed to mitigate the increasing number of infected persons and deaths are being announced by government organizations in many countries around the world.
As of yesterday, Tuesday, April 7, 2020, the Office of the Basic Education Commission (OBEC) of Thailand announced that the cabinet has approved the Ministry of Education’s proposal to postpone the beginning of the next school year for Thai schools from mid-May to the first of July. This not only means that the ministry will have to adjust the curriculum, but also that the school year will end in April, allowing students to have only a 15-day break before school begins again in May of 2021. The TCAS application system is slightly affected as well: testing dates for those applying into universities in 2021 will be delayed. However, the ministry ensures that universities will be able to reopen as usual.
In addition, the OBEC has declared that online learning will take place through 13 television channels in order to ensure the continuity of the learning process for Thai students.
The minister of education, Nataphol Teepsuwan, said, “We have to admit that online learning cannot replace classroom learning, but it’s the best learning method in the current situation. It’s also a good opportunity for us to use the technology for learning in this digital era, so teachers can enhance their skills.”
We can be assured that measures will be taken to prepare both teachers and students for these online classes, but there is no indication when the online classes will begin.
Apart from Thailand, let’s take a look at how several other countries are coping with the situation.
China - Since the great nation has been able to decrease the number of active cases significantly, huge numbers of people flocked to tourist sites and major cities across the country, including the Huangshan mountain park, the Bund waterfront, and the capital city of Beijing. Health authorities warn the citizens that the risks from the coronavirus pandemic is far from over, and there’s a possibility that the nation will enter another “wave” of infections if the coronavirus restrictions are being relaxed too soon.
United Kingdom - On Monday, April 6, 2020, British Prime Minister Boris Johnson was transferred to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) one day after he was admitted to St. Thomas’ Hospital due to having persistent symptoms of COVID-19. On Tuesday, Johnson’s spokesperson reports that his condition is stable and he is able to breathe without ventilation assistance required. During this time of emergency, Johnson has appointed Dominic Raab, his Foreign Secretary, to act as his deputy.
USA - Despite having announced a “public health emergency” concerning the coronavirus, the WHO was attacked by President Donald Trump, who declared on Tuesday that the WHO “missed the call” and has not been assertive enough in warning the Americans of the coronavirus situation. He decided to “put a hold on money spent to the WHO,” but later denied his own remarks and said that he was only “going to look at it.” Additionally, Trump made a move to oust the leader of the watchdogs who oversaw the spending of $2 trillion for the pandemic relief.
COVID-19 Health Myths
Written By: Kandharika Bamrungketudom
There have been myths going around the media that long exposure to the sunlight or high temperature can prevent the development of the COVID-19; however, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), this is not true. As very apparent in warmer countries such as Thailand, where the daily temperature exceeds 25℃, the outbreak is still going on as well.
Holding one’s breath for longer than 10 seconds is not a method in confirming if one has the coronavirus or any other lung disease. The best way to confirm if one has the virus or not is by taking laboratory tests.
Cold weather also does not kill the coronavirus, since the human body’s temperature remains fairly the same (around 36.5℃ - 37℃) regardless of the external environment.
Similarly, since the human body’s temperature remains steady regardless of the external environment, taking a hot bath or blowdrying one’s hand will also not prevent the coronavirus disease.
Hand sanitizers that are composed of at least 60% alcohol can kill the coronavirus effectively, however; the most preferable method in the extermination of coronavirus is still through washing hands thoroughly with soap.
As of the present data, no record has been found of the transmission of the coronavirus through mosquitoes.
Vaccines against pneumonia do not protect one against the coronavirus. As of currently, there is no vaccine against this novel virus yet.
Nose-rinsing with the saline solution does not prevent the coronavirus infection.
Vaccines or Medications for the COVID-19
Written By: Kandharika Bamrungketudom
Although vaccines for the novel coronavirus are being developed and tested, the vaccine for the novel coronavirus is not expected to be fully developed and ready for use until mid-year of 2021.
The first human vaccine trial was carried out in Seattle in March. The vaccine used is called the mRNA-1273, which was developed by the US National Institute of Health (NIH) in collaborations with a company called Moderna. This trial consisted of injecting the vaccine into 45 healthy volunteers of ages ranging from 18-55 years old over a period of six weeks. Participants of this vaccine trial will be monitored for side effects, as well as the effects of different dosages.
Another vaccine for the COVID-19, which was developed by CanSino Biological Inc. and Beijing Institute of Biotechnology, also went through the first phase of a clinical trial.
As of April 7, 2020, there are around 60 other vaccines that are in the pre-clinical stage of development. It may take around 12-18 months for these to be available for use.
Anti-viral drug trials have been carried out as well in countries such as England, China, and the US, using Ebola drugs such as remdesivir. Results are to be expected within a few weeks. Along with that, the anti-malarial drug is showing some hopeful signs of being able to kill the virus as well.
Reading this article was really insightful! It gave me a hope in a time of difficulty and desperation. Let's stay safe everyone!
Hey :D