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| As Tourism Plummets in Thailand, Elephants Are Out of Work, Too | As Tourism Plummets in Thailand, Elephants Are Out of Work, Too |
| (7 days later) | |
| BANGKOK — More than a decade ago, it was common for elephant owners to take their animals into Thailand’s cities and beg in the streets. Other elephants were put to work by illegal loggers along the border with Myanmar to harvest timber and haul it out of the forest. | BANGKOK — More than a decade ago, it was common for elephant owners to take their animals into Thailand’s cities and beg in the streets. Other elephants were put to work by illegal loggers along the border with Myanmar to harvest timber and haul it out of the forest. |
| Gradually, Thailand succeeded in reducing such practices and improving the lives of domesticated elephants. But now, the coronavirus that is sickening humans around the world may threaten to undo that progress. | Gradually, Thailand succeeded in reducing such practices and improving the lives of domesticated elephants. But now, the coronavirus that is sickening humans around the world may threaten to undo that progress. |
| A sudden drop in foreign tourists has forced the closing of dozens of elephant parks and similar tourist attractions, putting more than 1,000 elephants in Thailand out of work and endangering their futures, operators of the attractions said. | A sudden drop in foreign tourists has forced the closing of dozens of elephant parks and similar tourist attractions, putting more than 1,000 elephants in Thailand out of work and endangering their futures, operators of the attractions said. |
| In recent years, the main concern that animal welfare advocates have raised about Thailand’s many elephant attractions has been whether it is abusive for tourists to ride the creatures. | In recent years, the main concern that animal welfare advocates have raised about Thailand’s many elephant attractions has been whether it is abusive for tourists to ride the creatures. |
| But for many owners, just keeping them fed is now a more urgent concern. Feeding an elephant can cost as much as $40 a day — more than three times the minimum daily wage in Thailand. | But for many owners, just keeping them fed is now a more urgent concern. Feeding an elephant can cost as much as $40 a day — more than three times the minimum daily wage in Thailand. |
| Theerapat Trungprakan, president of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association, a group of elephant attraction operators, said he feared that unless the government intervened, some elephants would be forced back onto the streets or even into illegal logging operations. | Theerapat Trungprakan, president of the Thai Elephant Alliance Association, a group of elephant attraction operators, said he feared that unless the government intervened, some elephants would be forced back onto the streets or even into illegal logging operations. |
| “We don’t want that loop of survival alternatives to come back,” Mr. Theerapat said. “It will endanger the welfare of the elephants, such as having the elephants roaming the streets begging for bananas or sugar cane.” | “We don’t want that loop of survival alternatives to come back,” Mr. Theerapat said. “It will endanger the welfare of the elephants, such as having the elephants roaming the streets begging for bananas or sugar cane.” |
| Thailand, which as of Tuesday had reported 827 coronavirus cases and four deaths, has sought to stop the spread of the virus by closing schools and entertainment venues, and by encouraging people to stay home. | Thailand, which as of Tuesday had reported 827 coronavirus cases and four deaths, has sought to stop the spread of the virus by closing schools and entertainment venues, and by encouraging people to stay home. |
| The initial outbreak in China led to a sudden drop in visitors to Thailand, as both countries restricted travel. In 2019, China contributed more than a quarter of Thailand’s 40 million tourists. | The initial outbreak in China led to a sudden drop in visitors to Thailand, as both countries restricted travel. In 2019, China contributed more than a quarter of Thailand’s 40 million tourists. |
| In February, overall tourist arrivals in Thailand were down by 44 percent compared with a year earlier. Tourism has plunged even further in March with new limits on travel and activity. | In February, overall tourist arrivals in Thailand were down by 44 percent compared with a year earlier. Tourism has plunged even further in March with new limits on travel and activity. |
| Tourism is a huge part of the Thai economy. Before the virus struck, travel and tourism accounted for more than 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and employed nearly 16 percent of the work force. | Tourism is a huge part of the Thai economy. Before the virus struck, travel and tourism accounted for more than 20 percent of the country’s gross domestic product and employed nearly 16 percent of the work force. |
| The effects have been felt nationwide. Hotel rooms are vacant and taxis idle. Major events have been postponed or canceled, including the Thai New Year festivals normally held in April, as well as the first WBC Muay Thai World Convention, which had been scheduled for this month in Bangkok. | The effects have been felt nationwide. Hotel rooms are vacant and taxis idle. Major events have been postponed or canceled, including the Thai New Year festivals normally held in April, as well as the first WBC Muay Thai World Convention, which had been scheduled for this month in Bangkok. |
| The elephant attractions have been hit hard, operators say. | The elephant attractions have been hit hard, operators say. |
| In northern Thailand, 85 such businesses have temporarily halted operations because of a lack of visitors, said Borpit Chailert, general manager of Maetaeng Elephant Park, north of the city of Chiang Mai. | In northern Thailand, 85 such businesses have temporarily halted operations because of a lack of visitors, said Borpit Chailert, general manager of Maetaeng Elephant Park, north of the city of Chiang Mai. |
| He said the Maetaeng park, one of the country’s larger operations, was still open, but visitors were down by 90 percent, forcing the company to reduce employees’ hours. The park used to get as many as 1,000 visitors a day. On Saturday, there were only four. | He said the Maetaeng park, one of the country’s larger operations, was still open, but visitors were down by 90 percent, forcing the company to reduce employees’ hours. The park used to get as many as 1,000 visitors a day. On Saturday, there were only four. |
| Thailand has about 3,800 domesticated elephants. Releasing them into the forest, where about 3,000 wild elephants live, is not an option because it is illegal under Thai law; in the forest, domesticated elephants would compete with wild counterparts. | Thailand has about 3,800 domesticated elephants. Releasing them into the forest, where about 3,000 wild elephants live, is not an option because it is illegal under Thai law; in the forest, domesticated elephants would compete with wild counterparts. |
| “They cannot look for food in the forest because they are used to being fed,” Mr. Borpit said. “Imagine if we released around 3,000 domesticated elephants into the forest at the same time. There would be no food to feed all the elephants.” | “They cannot look for food in the forest because they are used to being fed,” Mr. Borpit said. “Imagine if we released around 3,000 domesticated elephants into the forest at the same time. There would be no food to feed all the elephants.” |
| Elephants are Thailand’s national symbol. Some were used in logging operations for generations before 1989, when Thailand, facing the rapid destruction of its forests, banned nearly all commercial logging. | Elephants are Thailand’s national symbol. Some were used in logging operations for generations before 1989, when Thailand, facing the rapid destruction of its forests, banned nearly all commercial logging. |
| More recently, many captive elephants have been put to work in tourist attractions, often in small operations with a dozen or so animals, where visitors can ride them. Some larger venues also offer elephant rides. | More recently, many captive elephants have been put to work in tourist attractions, often in small operations with a dozen or so animals, where visitors can ride them. Some larger venues also offer elephant rides. |
| Animal welfare advocates say the training and treatment of elephants in such operations are often abusive, and they call for an end to using the animals in circuses or letting tourists ride them. They say it is better for tourists simply to observe the animals in refuges and sanctuaries, which are a growing part of the business. | Animal welfare advocates say the training and treatment of elephants in such operations are often abusive, and they call for an end to using the animals in circuses or letting tourists ride them. They say it is better for tourists simply to observe the animals in refuges and sanctuaries, which are a growing part of the business. |
| A group that promotes the welfare of elephants in Thailand, the Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation, has long urged the government to establish a fund for this kind of tourism emergency. | A group that promotes the welfare of elephants in Thailand, the Friends of the Asian Elephant Foundation, has long urged the government to establish a fund for this kind of tourism emergency. |
| “This funding is important because with no income, where will the elephant owners and park owners get the money to buy food for the elephants?” said the group’s co-founder and secretary general, Soraida Salwala. “I am very worried about this situation.” | “This funding is important because with no income, where will the elephant owners and park owners get the money to buy food for the elephants?” said the group’s co-founder and secretary general, Soraida Salwala. “I am very worried about this situation.” |
| Mr. Theerapat, the Thai Elephant Alliance Association president, said most of the elephants in Thailand’s attractions were rented from their owners. If the parks return them, he said, some owners might decide they have no choice but to beg on the streets. | Mr. Theerapat, the Thai Elephant Alliance Association president, said most of the elephants in Thailand’s attractions were rented from their owners. If the parks return them, he said, some owners might decide they have no choice but to beg on the streets. |
| Or some elephants could be forced to haul timber along the borders with Myanmar and Laos, where they would risk stepping on land mines left from conflicts in the region, he said. | Or some elephants could be forced to haul timber along the borders with Myanmar and Laos, where they would risk stepping on land mines left from conflicts in the region, he said. |
| “These elephants have to live in a risky area,” Mr. Theerapat said. “When they go back, in some areas there is still illegal logging. And when the elephant owner’s savings are depleted, he might think that is a way out.” | “These elephants have to live in a risky area,” Mr. Theerapat said. “When they go back, in some areas there is still illegal logging. And when the elephant owner’s savings are depleted, he might think that is a way out.” |
| Updated June 22, 2020 | |
| A commentary published this month on the website of the British Journal of Sports Medicine points out that covering your face during exercise “comes with issues of potential breathing restriction and discomfort” and requires “balancing benefits versus possible adverse events.” Masks do alter exercise, says Cedric X. Bryant, the president and chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise, a nonprofit organization that funds exercise research and certifies fitness professionals. “In my personal experience,” he says, “heart rates are higher at the same relative intensity when you wear a mask.” Some people also could experience lightheadedness during familiar workouts while masked, says Len Kravitz, a professor of exercise science at the University of New Mexico. | |
| The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. | The steroid, dexamethasone, is the first treatment shown to reduce mortality in severely ill patients, according to scientists in Britain. The drug appears to reduce inflammation caused by the immune system, protecting the tissues. In the study, dexamethasone reduced deaths of patients on ventilators by one-third, and deaths of patients on oxygen by one-fifth. |
| The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. | The coronavirus emergency relief package gives many American workers paid leave if they need to take time off because of the virus. It gives qualified workers two weeks of paid sick leave if they are ill, quarantined or seeking diagnosis or preventive care for coronavirus, or if they are caring for sick family members. It gives 12 weeks of paid leave to people caring for children whose schools are closed or whose child care provider is unavailable because of the coronavirus. It is the first time the United States has had widespread federally mandated paid leave, and includes people who don’t typically get such benefits, like part-time and gig economy workers. But the measure excludes at least half of private-sector workers, including those at the country’s largest employers, and gives small employers significant leeway to deny leave. |
| So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. | So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement. |
| Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. | Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks. |
| A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. | A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study. |
| The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. | The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April. |
| States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. | States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people. |
| Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. | Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days. |
| If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) | If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.) |
| If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. | If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others. |
| If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. | If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested. |
| The effect of long-term closings on the elephants’ welfare is also a concern, he said. | The effect of long-term closings on the elephants’ welfare is also a concern, he said. |
| “For a hotel, if the number of visitors declines, you can close down eight floors and have the guard walk his rounds with his flashlight,” he said. “Car rentals the same. You can just put the cars in the garage. | “For a hotel, if the number of visitors declines, you can close down eight floors and have the guard walk his rounds with his flashlight,” he said. “Car rentals the same. You can just put the cars in the garage. |
| “But not with elephant parks,” he said. “If there are no visitors and no income, we still have to feed and take care of the elephants.” | “But not with elephant parks,” he said. “If there are no visitors and no income, we still have to feed and take care of the elephants.” |
| One owner, Amnuai Charornsuksombat, 36, whose family has kept elephants for generations, said he retrieved five of the animals last week from a tourist attraction where they had been working. | One owner, Amnuai Charornsuksombat, 36, whose family has kept elephants for generations, said he retrieved five of the animals last week from a tourist attraction where they had been working. |
| The family had rented elephants for 16 years to the small park, which is about a two-hour drive north of Chiang Mai. He and the elephants’ handlers, known as mahouts, rode the animals home to the village, about an hour’s trip. | The family had rented elephants for 16 years to the small park, which is about a two-hour drive north of Chiang Mai. He and the elephants’ handlers, known as mahouts, rode the animals home to the village, about an hour’s trip. |
| “This is the first time I have had to bring the elephants home from the park with no clear time frame when they are going back because there are no tourists,” he said. | “This is the first time I have had to bring the elephants home from the park with no clear time frame when they are going back because there are no tourists,” he said. |
| Now, in their remote village of Baan Thung Luang, he is struggling to keep them fed and to pay the mahouts — one for each elephant — to care for them. | Now, in their remote village of Baan Thung Luang, he is struggling to keep them fed and to pay the mahouts — one for each elephant — to care for them. |
| The elephants no longer get sugar cane and bananas, which are too expensive, but forage for grass in nearby fields and eat corn stalks that Mr. Amnuai buys from farmers. | The elephants no longer get sugar cane and bananas, which are too expensive, but forage for grass in nearby fields and eat corn stalks that Mr. Amnuai buys from farmers. |
| “Everybody is in a difficult situation,” he said. | “Everybody is in a difficult situation,” he said. |
| But no matter how hard it gets, Mr. Amnuai said, it would never occur to him to take his elephants and go begging. | But no matter how hard it gets, Mr. Amnuai said, it would never occur to him to take his elephants and go begging. |
| “For us, elephants are family members,” he said. “They are not pets. To bring them to do that would be a disgrace. They are family, so we will get through this together. Family takes care of each other.” | “For us, elephants are family members,” he said. “They are not pets. To bring them to do that would be a disgrace. They are family, so we will get through this together. Family takes care of each other.” |