"Experts"

Maria Van Kerkhove, a World Health Organization epidemiologist, was in her Geneva office last weekend preparing for a keynote address when a simple phrase came to mind.

As more Americans are vaccinated against the coronavirus and a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that the risk of outdoor transmission is low, many people are wondering: Do we need to keep wearing face masks outside?

That coronavirus is a highly infectious disease is a well-known fact. However, many people still choose to ignore calls from experts and the government to practice physical distancing and cancel big events. Indonesia has seen several large gatherings around early March, and now many are worried that such ignorance has helped the virus spread massively to many parts of the country.

Civil servants working in areas at risk of personnel shortages are to be allowed to postpone their retirements until the age of 70, says Government House.

THE BLEAK economic outlook under the shadow of political uncertainty as well as the global economic slowdown has impacted Thai exports and the latest government stimulus is not likely to help much, say experts.

MOST OF THAILAND will face drought and water shortages this year based on both current water supplies and weather forecasts, but the Royal Irrigation Department (RID) insists that, with good management of resources, we won’t go thirsty.

THE PROBLEM of illicit patent registration continues to linger, as academics believe the hasty legalisation of medical cannabis has opened up a legal loophole for big pharmaceutical firms to reverse the revocation of 10 controversial patent applications.

Fifty per cent chance this year could be the second hottest ever.

SINCE THE US-China trade war is expected to drag on this year and further depress exports, Thailand needs to seek long-term benefits from economic integration within Asean in order to offset the wounds inflicted by the war, international relations experts and financial sector representatives said yesterday.

Damaging projects, ignorance of their importance a major threat to Mekong region.

Pharma giants can have suspension reversed once narcotics law enforced.

Experts say timely effort mitigated impact but call for improvement in disaster preparations amid looming challenges.