Fatalistic Views and the Impact on Combating COVID-19: Bangladesh Context

Purpose: The main objective of this study is to evaluate whether the COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the people of Bangladesh to become more fatalistic or not. Approach/Methodology/Design: The study is of a descriptive design. The study follows a mixed-method research approach where an online survey was conducted among 406 individuals and 15 interviews of experts in different criteria have been assembled to validate the survey results properly. This survey data were analyzed based on the age and economic condition of the respondents. The in-depth interviews were collected based on six categories: Academicians, religious scholars, medical practitioners, Coronavirus-infected individuals, law enforcement officials, and journalists. Findings: The study shows that most of the people of Bangladesh are not influenced by the fatalistic views. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly made people more dependent on fate lately. Senior citizens of the society and people with low income are more fatalists than other groups of people in the society. Senior citizens are suffering the most from anxiety, youths of Bangladesh are facing the most uncertainty in this pandemic. None of the population groups are completely dependent on fate yet confident about the situation at the same time. Practical Implications: The findings of this study will pave the way forward for further research in this area and help policymakers to take necessary initiatives. In short term, it will help formulating policies for the vulnerable groups. Such as, providing economic assistance for the lowest range of income group, guaranteeing old age pension for the senior citizens, access to right information, and psychological stability. In long term, this study will allow practitioners to create awareness during disasters and pandemics through expert narratives, news, and social media awareness. Originality/value: This paper explores how the belief system of people is influenced by their socio-economic condition and how it affects their behavior in terms of combating pandemics. It also emphasizes that during disasters and pandemics, policymakers should take special initiatives for senior citizens and people with low income