“Like a wake-up call for humankind”: Views, challenges, and coping strategies related to public health measures during the first COVID-19 lockdown in Thailand

Abstract

Following the first Thai COVID-19 case in January 2020, the Thai government introduced several non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) in March 2020 (e.g., contact tracing, travel restrictions, closure of businesses, curfews, stay at home orders) to control COVID-19 transmissions. This study aimed to understand the views and experiences of a small number of Thai residents related to public health measures implemented during the first COVID-19 wave in Thailand. A total of 28 remote in-depth interviews with Thai residents (18–74 years old) were conducted between 8 May and 21 July 2020. Interviews were audio recorded, transcribed, and analysed using thematic analysis based on the Framework Method. Our results describe participants’ views, challenges, and coping strategies relating to COVID-19 restrictions. Most participants expressed support for the introduction of strict public health measures, while some criticized lacking enforcement or rational of certain measures. Participants identified four major challenges, namely financial hardship; social isolation and loneliness; stigma and shaming; and fear of COVID-19 infection. Strategies adopted to address these challenges included practical coping strategies (e.g., reducing risks and fear of COVID-19 infection; mitigating financial, social, and mental health impacts), and embedded socio-cultural ways of coping (e.g., turning to religion; practicing acceptance; kindness, generosity and sharing (‘Namjai’); ‘making merit’ (‘Tham-bun’)). The challenges identified from this study, in particular the role of stigma and discrimination, may be relevant to other infectious disease outbreaks beyond COVID-19. Findings from this study underscore the need for policies and interventions that mitigate the negative impacts of NPIs on the public, particularly on vulnerable groups, and highlight the importance of considering socio-cultural context to support community resilience in times of crisis. Our findings remain relevant in light of low COVID-19 vaccine availability and the potential need to implement further public health restrictions in Thailand and elsewhere against COVID-19 or future infectious disease threats.

Conceptualising Intergenerational Lived Experience: Integrating Art–Moving–Well‐Being across Disciplines, Communities and Cultures

“…2023; Naemiratch et al . 2022). The OECD has put forward a definition of loneliness as a ‘subjective emotional state, characterised by a longing for human contact’ (2021, 2).…”

“…We recognise loneliness and lack of social connection can limit a sense of well-being. Worldwide, these feelings have become more prevalent since the COVID-19 lockdowns of 2020-2022 (see for e.g., Gabarrell-Pascuet et al 2023;Naemiratch et al 2022). The OECD has put forward a definition of loneliness as a 'subjective emotional state, characterised by a longing for human contact' (2021, 2).…”

Ethical and methodological reflections: Digital storytelling of self-care with students during the COVID-19 pandemic at a South African University

“…It has been established that remote qualitative methods offer flexibility in the location of data collection [ 14 ], meaning researchers and participants can be anywhere instead of being in the same venue as compared to face-to-face methods. Additionally, employing remote methods can aid in the faster recruitment of a wide target population [ 12 , 15 ] and the participation of participants across a geographically spread population [ 14 ], overcoming time in the data collection process [ 16 ]. Conversely, online recruitment has the potential of targeting only active online users in qualitative health studies thus, raising selection bias concerns [ 17 ].…”

“…Conversely, online recruitment has the potential of targeting only active online users in qualitative health studies thus, raising selection bias concerns [ 17 ]. Of particular importance, online data collection may hinder the participation of those who do not have devices, lack access to internet connectivity [ 12 ], or those with limited digital literacy skills [ 15 ]. Additionally, people with disabilities e.g.…”

“…A substantial body of literature exists on remote qualitative health research [ 10 , 17 , 18 ]. Within the literature domain of remote qualitative health research, a plethora of articles focus on ethical and methodological issues of collecting data using online focus group discussions [ 16 ] and online interviews [ 13 , 15 ]. For example, in a US study using online focus groups with low socio-economic status African American adults during COVID-19 reported challenges related to participant privacy and online connectivity due to digital divides and technology use [ 16 ].…”