Since late last year, the world has declared war against the novel coronavirus that has wreaked havoc on millions of the global population in many countries.
Thailand is among nations that can keep the Covid-19 pandemic at bay, ranking first among the countries with the highest Covid-19 recovery index, according to a report issued by the Global Covid-19 Index (GCI) published in July. The index gives Thailand a score of 82.06 from 100 points. South Korea comes second, receiving 81.09 points, followed by Latvia, Malaysia, Taiwan and New Zealand.
Such success in keeping Thai people safe from Covid-19 transmission as well as an efficient approach to prevent the second wave of the outbreak should be attributed to tireless efforts not just by the government but also many private organisations as well as small people, especially medical warriors in white gowns. They are all key women and men in the fight against the novel coronavirus -- the Covid-19 heroes.
In recognition of their untiring commitment to Covid-19 response, CSR Focus: Covid-19 Heroes is talking to 12 people in various fields and professions as to who their heroes are when it comes to the battle against the outbreak.
Weerasak Kowsurat
Senator and former Tourism and Sports Minister
The heroes that we all instantly think of and honour are medical professionals, including doctors, nurses and health volunteers, because they are at the frontline fighting Covid-19. But apart from them, there is another group of people who are not publicly mentioned much -- the cleaners.
They also take risks every day by cleaning and disinfecting public areas, including airports, border checkpoints, shopping malls, hospitals and bus stations not far from hospitals. They have to deal with garbage and also infected waste people throw away. They perform their duties without complaining, although they may have limited tools or protective gear. Some of them are outsourced workers and do not have any fringe benefits.
During the past nine months, the cleaners have not been in the media spotlight. We haven't heard about them receiving gifts and bonuses from their employers or special thanks from the public. They work hard in the risky areas daily as well, so I honour the cleaners as my heroes.
Patcharaporn Boonyos
Medical scientist in virology
Speaking of Covid-19 heroes, my first thought is of Assoc Prof Dr Thira Woratanarat of the Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University. A prominent physician himself, Dr Thira has tirelessly warned Thai people about the situation and has always provided updated data on the actual circumstances. Regardless of the country's political climate where politicians have been trying desperately to push forward the tourism industry when Thailand isn't yet ready, Dr Thira has remained determined to raise awareness not just among the public but among governmental bodies. In the phase where many in the country start ignoring the reality or where some are facing political pressure, he has proven himself a person truly dedicated to Thailand and its people.
President of the Thoracic Society of Thailand Assoc Prof Dr Nitipat Jiarakul is another person who deserves a big hand in this pandemic time. While the Ministry of Public Health urges people to use fabric masks, Dr Nitipat dares to go against the tide, telling people what to beware of when it comes to using cloth masks. Dr Nitipat also acts as a speaker through which he encourages the government to fix the issue with regard to the scarcity of Covid-19 personal protective equipment (PPE) such as surgical masks.
For me, heroes are those who speak the truth and stand strong for the sake of the public. Heroes will not succumb to power or pressure and they will never stop fighting, no matter how many obstacles come their way.
Monchai Wongkittikraiwan
News anchor, TNN Thailand
During the tough time where people struggle through the Covid-19 pandemic, a hero for me is the Bank of Thailand, an organisation that helps the people of Thailand through financial measures and aid to get small debtors through difficult times caused by the lockdown. Following the business shut-down, tourists disappeared in the blink of an eye, leading to an unexpected income shock. Amid these unforeseen circumstances, various banks have shown their willingness to collaborate in coping by lending a helping hand to those affected by extending or suspending debt instalment periods. They are quick to implement debt restructuring to help clients. To me, this is beyond expectation.
Changing infrastructure and facilities available thanks to banking competitiveness in recent years have made people more familiar with the digital world and mobile banking. Given social distancing is still needed to be imposed, this is of great benefit to the customers themselves. All this has presented the opportunity to carry on with transactions even in the lockdown and with travel restrictions.
Tul Waitoonkiat
Musician and vocalist with Thai alternative rock band Apartment Khunpa
The virus and pandemic taught us how life is so fragile and uncertain. I think the heroes are those who can leave their ego behind and adapt to reality.
My Covid-19 heroes are my friends and family; they are the ones who stand by me as we share this weird moment together. We mutually change the way we look at life. We help each other let go of our expectations and learn how to survive this crisis.
Krissada "Noi" Sukosol Clapp
Singer and actor
The immediate heroes are certainly the nurses, doctors, health workers and relief volunteers. I also believe that no matter what the divisions are, we still have to give some credit to the government. But I gotta say it's the collective effort from all Thais, through every social stratosphere, that has impressed me so much. Back in February when all hell broke loose, I figured we were doomed because we Thais are not known for our social discipline. Don't get me wrong, our easy-going ways can also take us a long way. But I'm so glad I was proved wrong. Perhaps it's our knack for respecting private parameters and cleanliness. I think we should all be given our due for doing the best we can to respect and look after one another. We deserve a Nobel for staying up there among the world's near Covid-19 free nations. I am a little saddened that we haven't received enough international recognition.
However, I know only too well that someday there will be a second wave, and I can only hope that just like the first wave, Thai people will remain on the same page to beat this thing. We have to be realistic and pragmatic. In a way, Covid-19 has put us all in the same boat. And you know what, that can be a good thing!
Valentina "Ploy" Giardullo
Singer/songwriter
I would say that the heroes of this Covid-19 era are, first of all, doctors and nurses who had to fight with this directly and risk their health for the country and their people. On another level, I feel that every person -- every human being in the world who is going through this difficult time -- is a hero already. A hero who's keeping it up. A hero who still manages to be positive and find ways to get through this.
Alisa Phantusak Kunpalin
Managing director of Tiffany's Show Pattaya
All Thai people are heroes to me. They've had a strong discipline and attentively observed all of the protective measures against Covid-19 so that eventually we can make the virus disappear from the country. Had Thai people not adhered to the government's instructions, it would be impossible for us to get to where we are today.
Other heroes are, of course, entrepreneurs and operators within the tourism industry who face some of the strongest impacts during this time. Many struggle to carry through with their businesses. Financial sacrifices have been made. And if they are still pushing through despite everything, they are making sure everyone who relies on them can survive too, even when the going gets tough. From one operator to another, they're definitely heroes.
Sirisak Chaited
Human rights activist and owner of a massage parlour and spa
I'm speaking as an entrepreneur who is directly affected by the situation. Many of our shops had to close down. The income disappeared but the debt and other responsibilities continue. My heroes are the staff who stood by me and were very understanding of the situation. They accepted it and together we fixed each problem that came our way. Their shifts, work hours and wages decreased, but everyone still pushed through despite lower or barely any income at all. Everyone was ready to adapt and improve themselves according to the state's public health practices and regulations. They said they'd do everything to make sure the shops are back running again. I'm touched and really feel the love that my staff have for me and their workplace. They chose not to walk away and insisted on getting through this together no matter how tough it was. My staff are my heroes.
Anuwat Fuangthongdaeng
News anchor, Channel 7
Who are my Covid-19 heroes? Many people initially think about doctors and nurses. I admire them too but my heroes are local frontline health workers such as public health officers and village health volunteers as well as village headmen and sub-district chiefs -- especially, frontline health workers who work along the border areas.
These local health workers work hard without expecting others to recognise their dedication. During the coronavirus lockdown, my crews and I went to record my TV programme "Anuwat Jad Hai" in remote areas and found that these frontline health workers were at risk from the novel coronavirus due to a shortage of equipment and not having proper temperature measurement devices. They didn't even have medical masks to protect themselves; they had to make their own cloth face masks.
I once asked a local health worker if the cloth face mask could protect her from the coronavirus. She just said the mask was a necessary item which health workers must have. I believe they are exhausted from working from early morning to late at night. I sometimes gave them encouragement and told them to keep going. They said they were happy to hear such encouragement.
Wasinburee Supanichvoraparch
Ceramicist and artist
Doctors and nurse are frontline warriors who are at risk of Covid-19 infection but I believe everyone has to sacrifice something during this Covid-19 situation. I realised more about this when I was a judge in a photo competition, "Thai People and the Endless Kindness", arranged by The Royal Photographic Society of Thailand, Ministry of Culture and Photographic Arts Foundation and Thai Beverage Public Company Limited (ThaiBev) last July. There were photos taken during the pandemic that portrayed people's dedication to society. Before the pandemic, many people wanted to do something for their communities but they didn't dare do it because they worried that they could only do such a small thing. However, when coronavirus arrived, everyone dedicated something to their community. For instance, people put food and other necessities in "tu pan sook" or pantries of sharing. Monks, who receive lots of food offerings, shared the food with people in need. Since the bad situation has some good aspects to it, I created many ceramics as Covid-19 characters which look adorable, to give the positive side of our society. The ceramics also wear jada Thai traditional crowns because "corona" refers to a crown.
Pacharee Pantoomano
Managing director at Brandnow.asia
My Covid-19 hero is Mutsumi Adachi. She's the founder of the Sang Foundation which supports circular economy and protection of the environment. When the pandemic hit Thailand earlier this year, she shifted to help those in the tourism industry.
Dividing her time between Bangkok and Hua Hin, she witnessed first-hand the destitution as businesses retrenched staff and those who depend on tourists to make a living such as masseuses, salons, and souvenir vendors were unable to feed themselves.
She canvases for volunteers and donations. With a team of volunteers, she bought, packed, and distributed food to those living in areas far from the reach of municipalities.
In addition to the food she began connecting people with jobs such as gardening and domestic help, so they can support themselves to earn a living and be independent.
She recently announced on her Facebook page a collaboration with ActionAsia Foundation on behalf of the European Union (EU) Covid-19 Relief and Recovery Programme in Thailand. They have created food packages and started distributing them on September 15. The distribution will continue for five weeks, involving 1,500 food packages. It will bring temporary relief to at least 6,000 people.
Rose Marie Wanchupela
Executive director, Rose Marie Academy
My Covid-19 hero is Andrew Cuomo, governor of the State of New York. When he was first made aware of the deadly danger of this virus, he made some wrong calls. However, when he realised his mistakes, he quickly changed course and headed in the right direction, guided by the advice of scientific experts. He pleaded with the executive branch of the federal government for help but sadly was more often than not put off. Nevertheless, to his credit, he worked with them as best he could. Very early on he scrambled to obtain stockpiles of respirators and personal protective equipment knowing how great the need would soon become.
He made the difficult decision to order shutdowns which greatly affected the livelihoods of New Yorkers throughout the state. However, he felt their health warranted such drastic action. He was certain that if they all pulled together "New York Tough" and bore the hardship following the rules of wearing masks, washing hands, and social distancing, they would pull through. His calculation has been proven correct as the current New York State Covid-19 infection rate has been below one per cent for over one month. Governor Cuomo has set the standard for good governance under a national disaster.
Photo: Apichart Jinakul
