Midterm exam 1 new round

Part I: Critical Reading Instructions: Read the two passages below and answer the questions in complete sentences and in your own words. Passage 1. (Items 1-6: 13 marks) Fighting off COVID-19 1 Due to the outbreak of COVID-19, Thai government has declared a state of emergency and introduced measures to combat Covid-19. For example, Bangkok governor announced a Bangkok \"soft lockdown\", such as the closure of shopping malls and markets in Bangkok and adjacent provinces, except those selling food and essential consumer goods, and several types of establishments including schools, theatres, massage shops and sports arenas in an effort to slow the spread of Covid-19. 2 In addition, social distancing—avoiding a contact with groups of people--is one of the measures suggested by Ministry of Public Health to slow down the spread. Companies are encouraged to allow employees to work from home to avoid contact with others. People should not go out for social or outdoor activities or travel. If they have to get into public places, they should keep 2 meters distant from other people. 3 Shortly after that announcement, a broad economic and social impact is immediately occurring. Closing these establishments such as theatres, pubs and restaurants, shopping malls, and health medical centers like traditional massage outlets and spas leads to immediate unemployment. Thousands of laid-off people flocked to bus stations to leave the city and the country. There were reports of people rushing out to stock up on supplies, and traffic congestion reported near many superstores. 4 However, the coronavirus outbreak have shown us many things. Above all, it's community spirit, the very connectedness that human beings have towards one another. That will help us survive this together. This means we, Thai citizens, can be there in spirit for people in need and those who are vulnerable to catching the disease. 5 Community support is a necessary and practical means to curb the contagion. Practically, each and every one of us need to watch out in case of suspected infections. We are also responsible for one another as we practice social distancing. When it comes to self-isolation, support from friends and family or people in the neighbourhood can go a long way to make it effective. To illustrate the cases, reports about neighbours hanging food on the doors of those who declared themselves under quarantine* have regularly appeared on social media. There are also people who would share their face masks with those who can't find or afford them. Besides, IT start-ups came up with applications to help track infections or find where face masks remain available. 6 Sincere and generous offers that have poured in for public health personnel who have been working non-stop to treat the patients, have been heart-warming. Many businesses and groups of people have made face masks or put together plastic face shields to give away to hospitals or people in need. 7 The shutdown of malls and markets by City Hall, causing some 2-3 million people 1006247 English Reading and Writing 2 Page 1 of 2

jobless overnight, has triggered an outpouring of empathy. Hence, online personalities who have a large number of followers offer their space for vendors to sell their products for free. 8 As public hospitals are reaching their limit in capacity, private ones could help. Thammasat University Hospital, for example, has set up a field facility to take in recovering Covid-19 patients to lessen the burden on other hospitals. In addition, some hotels have offered to shelter health personnel or people who need to isolate themselves. 9 However, Covid-19 may be easier to deal with for those who can afford the space and hospital bills, but not every single person will be spared. How about those who can't afford the rents or treatment bills? Although attempts have been made at individual level to help the have-nots survive the contagion, such as free food and face masks, more help from the government, organizations and individuals will still be needed. 10 At the moment when there is still no real cure or vaccine to fight this virus. One thing that everyone can do is to help slow the pace of the outbreak and ease the hardship by strictly following the suggestions by the government and Ministry of Publish Health, and avoiding sharing false information about the disease. 11 Nevertheless, the coronavirus has shown that no one can survive this alone. Plus, we can't leave the poor and the vulnerable behind. Despite several admirable attempts to offer help during our difficult time, more are needed. Glossary *quarantine: a situation in which a person or animal that might have a disease is kept separate from other people or animals so that they do not catch the disease 1006247 English Reading and Writing 2 Page 2 of 2