The following is our exclusive weekly feature in which we ask our readers a news topical question and then give you a week to answer it on our various channels, compiling a diverse range of answers and opinions to present to you, our valued readers. Here are the results from our last question…
Last week, we asked you the following:
If you tested positive for Covid-19 in Thailand on a home rapid test and were mild/asymptomatic, would you officially report to the government?
The context behind this question was:
Currently, in Thailand and on social media, there has been much debate and discussion around what happens when one tests positive for Covid-19. We have covered this in other articles and the short answer is it can vary greatly depending on age, health, province, home living conditions, etc.
We wanted to ask if you tested positive for Covid-19 at home, would you call and report yourself to the government or go and take an RT-PCR test to confirm the result? Or would you stay at home, self-isolate, and self-medicate?
We have done similar polls where many readers indicated they were more afraid of potentially being “locked up” in hospitals or quarantine centers than the virus itself. Although self-isolation is becoming more common in Thailand, social media is still rife with stories of people being denied this. We cannot independently verify every story, so your mileage may vary on these.
So, we want to know. If you are positive, do you tell the Thai government? Or do you keep it quiet? Or something else? Let’s assume for the sake of this question also one is NOT seriously ill, perhaps mild or asymptomatic.
Here is what you, our readers, had to say as our editors selected some of the most diverse responses to highlight different points of view. Obviously, we can’t post everyone’s opinion here so selected a variety of the most diverse opinions. As always, the opinions and statements below are the reader’s own and may not reflect those of TPN media. There have been minor edits for spelling and grammar only:
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Michael H-Absolutely Not!
If I had mild symptoms and tested positive with an Antigen Test Kit (ATK) “home test”, I definitely would NOT report to the junta federal government.
Then it would be almost like an arrest because your freedom/liberty is taken away from you and they can take you anywhere they deem “necessary” to protect the public.
Then an “arrested” person with mild symptoms would be placed in either a hospital or hospitEl for possibly 7-15 days with other covid positive patients. And what would happen if you didn’t want to take their medications?
And if a foreigner… probably would have a mounting open hospital bill if not have insurance.
Better to self isolate yourself in a room with someone putting food outside your door, taking care to properly wash and disinfect everything going out of the room for the recovery period.
I am not stupid and know about junta governments.
I was born during the day, but not yesterday!
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William M-NO! I have a legitimate fear that the Thai’s see all foreigners as automatic ATMs. I believe if you report you will go to quarantine and be accountable for the full cost. Stay home, stay safe, stay healthy, stay happy.
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Tommy L-Would I need to report to the government if I had a stomach ache? Or act like a grownup and take care of myself??
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Apolo E-Absolutely not, I will not report to any officials and since it’s a home rapid testing, I will just isolate for 5 or 6 days and re-test again, will not be positive for 2nd time. I’ve done it before.
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George S-No chance. Just stay home until I tested negative and carry on
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Steven R-certainly not
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Phil H-No chance, who in their right mind would want to be fleeced for thousands of dollars by greedy hospitals or the other alternative, being sent to a concentration camp with CCTV, armed guards, and holes to poo in and sharing showers with hundreds of others. No brainer really
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Bryan B-If the treatment was free, maybe, if not I would sooner self isolate than pay thousands of baht. to government facilities
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JP-I would not ask such questions in public
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Kiera-Yes, but because I want the recovery certificate/proof I recovered which could be useful in the future.
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Andrew B-No. I didn’t report it in England either
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Walter R-Probably. I am immunocompromised with multiple health issues and unlike many here I would want full doctor support.
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Mike L-
why would I keep destroying my life, so probably not lol
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Editor’s Note: The vast majority of responses were a no/negative to reporting.
That is it for this week! Stay tuned for another reader talkback VERY soon! We appreciate EVERYONE’s feedback and thoughts! If you didn’t get a chance to answer, Tell us on our social media channels, in the comments below, or if you prefer your comment to be private mail us at Pattayanewseditor@gmail.com.
