The Effects of the Epidemic of the Corona Virus-2019 : Toward the New-Normal Community in Mabo Subdistrict, Phayakkhaphumphisai District, Mahasarakham Province

Abstract

     This research was survey research aimed to studied the impacts and adaptation to new way of life of the people in the situation of COVID-19 spreading in the area of Ban Ma Bo sub-district health promoting hospital at Phayakkhaphumphisai district, Mahasarakham province. Participants were 333 people selected by stratified random sampling. Quantitative data were collected by questionnaires and analyzed by frequency and percentage, while qualitative data were collected by in-depth interviews with 11 key informants and analyzed by content analysis. 

     The results revealed that the impacts of the COVID-19 epidemic on people's lives included: 1) the economic impact linking to reduced income of people; 2) the physical and mental health impacts illustrating as anxious; 3) the social and environmental Impacts relating to less grouped together and less disturbing the environment from humans; 4) the information perception and the use of technology impacts showing paying more attention to news and learning to use more communication technology of people; and 5) the education impact linking to adjusting learning to be online and causing more expenditure of parents. Regarding adjusting the ways of people’s lives as new normal community, it was found that: 1) the economy aspect, people adjusted themselves by earning more extra income and reducing expenditures; 2) the physical and mental health aspects, most people followed the government regulations and be aware of themselves in grouping together; 3) the social and environmental aspects, people were less gathering together, more stayed at home, and more shopping and paying online; 4) the technology aspect, most people adapted themselves to use more communication technology via applications; and 5) the education aspect, there has been an adaptation to online learning.