Impacts and Management Approaches of the Coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak by Monks in Phitsanulok Province

Abstract

The research article consisted of the following objectives: 1) to investigate the roles and duties of monks during the spread of Coronavirus 2019 (Covid-19) in Phitsanulok province; 2) to explore the impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak on monks in Phisanulok province; and 3) to study the management approaches of Covid-19 outbreak by monks in Phisanulok province. The study employed mixed-methods research including quantitative and qualitative methods. A sample group of 400 people was used. A qualitative technique was adopted, which included in-depth interviews with 24 monks in Phitsanulok province, as well as focus group discussions with relevant people. The obtained data were analyzed by percentage, mean, and inductive reasoning. 

From the study, the following results were found: 1) From investigating the roles and duties of monks during the spread of Covid-19 in Phitsanulok province, the findings revealed that the temple is used as a canteen to provide food and money for people who have been impacted. Temple is also utilized as a field hospital and a crematory for the deceased from Covid-19. The duties of monks include Dhamma exposition and talk via radios and television; 2) The impacts of the Covid-19 outbreak on monks in Phisanulok province include monthly payment for power and water costs. Temples in the city have canteens for cooking meals for monks, but temples outside the city are slightly impacted; and 3) Management approaches of Covid-19 outbreak by monks in Phitsanulok province are (1) the use of sekhiyawat (75 etiquettes that monks should follow) as the Buddhist regulation, (2) the development of gilānupaṭṭhāka (nursing monks), (3) the acquirement of state assistance, and (4) the provision of knowledge to monks about diseases and its spread.