Is Culture the Cure? A Look At Thailand

What reasons might help explain why Thailand is not a coronavirus hot spot? [Thailand’s people practice social distancing; they adopted face masks early on; the country has a good health care system and outdoor lifestyles; and its people may have fewer pre-existing conditions.]

Some experts believe that it is the immune systems of Thais and others in the Mekong River region that makes them more resistant to the coronavirus. True or false? [True.]

Thailand’s low rate appears to be shared by other countries in the Mekong River basin. Which countries have had very low rates of the coronavirus? [Counties with very low rates include Vietnam, Myanmar, Cambodia and Laos.]

What is the high percentage of Thais who tested positive for the coronavirus and yet were asymptomatic? [A public health expert said that of those infected, more than 90 percent were asymptomatic.]

Some experts predict how much Thailand’s economy is going to shrink and how many jobs may be lost. What are those numbers? [Some predict that the Thai economy will shrink by at least 6.5 percent this year. More than eight million Thais may lose their jobs or income in 2020.]