Page 25 - Gazette1_63
P. 25
\ EPTS GAZETTE
dura Hospital, and Ramathibodi Hospital. They sent 1200 boxes daily to each of these hospitals which can
be considered as a pure act of kindness and shows unity amongst Thai people even in the hardest of times.
Actors and actresses are donating money
Those who are more fortunate are very eager to help others out. Many A-list celebrities in Thailand are do-
nating millions of baht to many organizations and hospitals. For example, Bella Ranee and Yaya Urassaya
Sperbund have each donated 3 million Thai baht to the cause. Yaya has donated 500,000 baht to 6 different
hospitals to help aid with the cost of medical equipment that is vital in battling with the virus. Other actors
and actresses have also donated a considerable amount of money and medical equipment, showing their
sincere efforts to help out as many people as possible. These celebrities have taken to social media to post
bank transfer slips as evidence of their heartfelt actions. Furthermore, they have also encouraged many of
their followers to help donate to organizations and hospitals as well.
Hotels provide space for doctors
In addition, hotel owners are also contributing by providing space for doctors and nurses to rest. Some ho-
tels that are close to hospitals are now shutting down and providing rooms for doctors and nurses who have
difficulties traveling home to take a rest for free. Since the number of patients in hospitals are continuously
rising, doctors are working harder day in and day out. These rooms are provided just for those who really
need them, such as those who have homes far away or those who are too tired to travel for a long distance.
Most hotels limit that one person can only sleep for one night at a time. This is to give everyone a chance,
and they must show a card that identifies that they are a part of the medical team in order to get a free stay.
Examples of these hotels are The Residence Quarter, The Rabbitat Hostel, and Centara Grand and Bangkok
Convention Centre at Centralworld. In addition, some hotels are also proposing that the government can
use their hotel as a field hospital to treat those who are infected with COVID-19 because space in hospitals
is quickly running out. These hotels will be thoroughly checked and certified first before they can be used.
Citizens help make and donate essential medical equipment
Because of the increasing need of masks and other essential medical equipment that is used to help cure
infected patients and protect uninfected people, supplies are currently running out quickly. Consequently,
hospitals are now requesting donations of those tools and protective gears. In response, citizens are willing
to donate their stored masks to the doctors, as well as alcohol gel, antiseptic, protective equipment, dried
food, and other medical equipment. Moreover, some also buy materials and make homemade protective
gears and tools, such as face shields. They are easy to make, but some hospitals still lack these kinds of
equipment. Citizens make sure that the face shields are clean, then they donate them to the hospital for
doctors and medical staff. Many other positive actions have been taken by Thai citizens, depending on each
person’s ability, but all with great will power to save the country from the coronavirus.
Despite all the hardships and the lack of medical equipment, people all around the world are getting
through this pandemic by joining hands (not literally, of course--practice social distancing!) and coming
together to share their resources to help those in need. The outbreak has caused plenty of damage to many
aspects of the world, yet it is still an uplifting sight to see many people help contribute in their own way to
lessen the effects of the virus. One thing that COVID-19 has proven is that by supporting each other, we
will get through this pandemic together.
REFERENCES
savethechildren.org/savewithstories
https://www.bangkokbiznews.com/news/detail/872635
https://www.dailynews.co.th/regional/764260
https://www.sanook.com/news/8062290/
https://rta.mi.th/rta_website_v2/index.php/all-news/item/655-2020-02-05-16-27-01
https://www.thebigchilli.com/social-events/gowith20-support-covid-19-thai-heroes-project-unite-volunteer-power-to-support-
healthcare-providers-nationwide
https://cheezelooker.com/web/article/CHZ200300193
https://thestandard.co/hotel-business-owner-in-bangkok-slowly-open-for-physician-to-stay-for-free/
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/26/style/gofundme-coronavirus.html
24

