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Published on: Nov 28, 2021
2 minute read
By: Second Medic Expert

A Variant Of Concern: Omicron

A variant of Concern: Omicron

The World Health Organization has designated the strain, now named Omicron, as a variant of concern and said multiple studies are underway to monitor its development.

The Unknowns - Scientists are warning that the variant could be more contagious, but they don't really know for sure. They also worry about its effects on vaccine efficacy and severity of disease - we'll just have to wait until there's more research!
Where it has been identified - The variant has so far been identified in South Africa, Botswana, Hong Kong, and Belgium. A specimen from the first known case of the variant in South Africa was collected November 9, the WHO said Friday.
The number of variant cases - Now, the number of variant cases seems to be increasing in nearly every province of the country, the WHO said. South Africa has currently fully vaccinated less than 36% of its adult population and its rate of new vaccinations had fallen in recent days, according to the country's health department.
Cases Identified - South African officials also initially said there was one confirmed case in a traveler from South Africa to Hong Kong. Friday, Hong Kong health authorities identified a second case of the variant among returning travelers on the same floor of a designated quarantine hotel. Health authorities ordered at least 12 people in nearby rooms to undergo mandatory Covid-19 testing and two weeks of quarantine in a government center. Also on Friday, the Belgian government said an individual who had recently traveled from Egypt and was unvaccinated, tested positive for the variant, marking the first case in Europe.
High number of Mutations: South African genomic scientists said earlier this week the variant has an unusually high number of mutations, with more than 30 in the key spike protein -- the structure the virus uses to get into the cells they attack.
The concern: Scientists are concerned those mutations could make the variant more transmissible and could result in immune evasion. Scientists are working to find out whether the variant could evade immunity, saying its mutations can help hint or predict whether it will be the case.
Vaccine Efficacy: The million-dollar question is, is there a tiny hit to vaccine efficacy, or is there a large hit? we'll get some preliminary data probably in the next few days.
How it compares with other variants - While mutations -- and new variants -- of the virus are expected as it continues to spread, experts say there's more reason for concern with Omicron. As per the scientists they have seen a lot of variants pop up over the last five, six months, and most of them have not amounted to much but this looks different. It's acting differently, it looks like it's much more contagious than even the Delta variant." WHO officials also said in their statement Friday preliminary evidence suggests Omicron also poses a higher risk of reinfection, compared to other variants of concern.

What vaccine makers are saying

In a Friday news release, Moderna said it was rapidly working to test the ability of its vaccine to neutralize the variant, and data is expected in the coming weeks.

The strain includes mutations "seen in the Delta variant that are believed to increase transmissibility and mutations seen in the Beta and Delta variants that are believed to promote immune escape," Moderna said. "The combination of mutations represents a significant potential risk to accelerate the waning of natural and vaccine-induced immunity."

The Solution: If its current vaccine and booster are insufficient against the variant, one possible solution is boosting people with a larger dose, which Moderna said it is testing. The company is also evaluating two multivalent booster candidates to see if they provide better protection against Omicron -- both of which include some of the viral mutations present in the variant. Moderna said it is also testing an Omicron-specific booster. AstraZeneca also said it was looking to understand the impact Omicron has on its vaccine, which is not currently authorized for use in the US. A Johnson & Johnson spokesperson told CNN in a statement the company was also testing the effectiveness of its vaccine against Omicron.

Why Travel Restrictions?

Travel restrictions will buy governments some time to investigate the variant, but it's inevitable the strain will eventually appear and spread.

Source : who,cnn

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Desk Plants Distribution Drive: Improving Mental Health and Workplace decor

Workplace wellness is no longer limited to health checkups and fitness programs. Modern organisations are recognising that mental wellbeing, emotional balance and the physical environment play an equally important role in employee health. One initiative that effectively addresses all three is the Desk Plants Distribution Drive.

Introducing greenery into everyday workspaces is a low-cost, high-impact strategy that improves mental health while enhancing office décor and employee satisfaction.

Why Mental Health Needs Everyday Support at Work

Employees today face:

prolonged screen exposure
high work pressure
sedentary routines
constant digital connectivity

According to World Health Organization and Indian workplace health data, chronic stress and burnout are rising across industries. Small environmental interventions can significantly reduce daily stress and mental fatigue.

What Is a Desk Plants Distribution Drive?

A Desk Plants Distribution Drive involves distributing small, easy-to-maintain plants to employees for placement on their desks or workstations.

These drives are typically:

organisation-wide
part of wellness or engagement programs
aligned with sustainability initiatives

Common desk plants include succulents, pothos, snake plants and peace lilies.

How Desk Plants Improve Mental Health

Stress Reduction

Natural elements have a calming effect on the brain. Studies in occupational psychology show that the presence of plants reduces stress hormone levels and promotes relaxation.

Employees surrounded by greenery report feeling calmer and less overwhelmed during the workday.

Improved Mood and Emotional Balance

Green environments stimulate positive emotional responses. Desk plants help:

reduce irritability
improve mood
create a sense of comfort and wellbeing

This supports emotional resilience at work.

Impact on Focus and Cognitive Performance

Mental fatigue is a major contributor to reduced productivity.

Desk plants help by:

improving concentration
reducing attention fatigue
enhancing creativity

Research published in workplace wellbeing studies indicates that even small amounts of greenery improve cognitive performance.

Enhancing Workplace Décor and Atmosphere

Visual Comfort

Plants soften rigid office interiors, making workspaces feel more welcoming and less clinical.

Personalised Workspaces

Desk plants allow employees to personalise their environment, increasing ownership and job satisfaction.

Improved Indoor Environment

Some plants help reduce indoor pollutants and contribute to a fresher workspace experience.

Desk Plants and Emotional Connection to Workspaces

Having a living element at the desk fosters:

mindfulness
responsibility
emotional attachment to the workspace

These subtle psychological effects support long-term engagement.

Why Desk Plant Drives Work Well in Corporate Wellness Programs

Desk plant initiatives are:

easy to implement
budget-friendly
scalable across teams
inclusive for all roles

They create visible, daily reminders of organisational commitment to employee wellbeing.

Sustainability and CSR Alignment

A Desk Plants Distribution Drive supports:

environmental responsibility
green workplace practices
sustainability goals

It reflects a balanced approach to people and planet wellbeing.

Choosing the Right Plants for Offices

Ideal desk plants should be:

low maintenance
tolerant of indoor lighting
compact and non-intrusive
safe for shared environments

Providing simple care guidelines ensures long-term success.

Employee Engagement Through Green Initiatives

These drives encourage:

shared participation
wellness conversations
positive social interaction

They strengthen workplace culture without disrupting work routines.

Measuring the Impact of Desk Plant Initiatives

Organisations can assess impact through:

employee feedback surveys
stress and engagement indicators
workspace satisfaction scores

According to EY-FICCI workplace wellness reports, environmental wellness initiatives contribute to sustained engagement.

Long-Term Benefits for Organisations

Consistent green initiatives are linked to:

reduced burnout
improved morale
better employee retention
stronger employer branding

Small environmental changes create long-lasting wellness benefits.

Desk Plants as a Gateway to Holistic Wellness

Desk plant drives often lead to:

increased interest in mental health programs
mindfulness and stress management initiatives
ergonomic and workspace improvements

They act as a foundation for broader wellness strategies.

Why Simplicity Matters in Wellness Programs

Complex programs often fail due to low participation.

Desk plant initiatives succeed because they:

integrate naturally into daily life
require minimal effort
deliver visible benefits

Simplicity ensures sustainability.

Conclusion

A Desk Plants Distribution Drive is a powerful yet simple workplace wellness initiative that improves mental health and enhances office décor. By introducing greenery into daily work environments, organisations create calmer, more engaging and emotionally supportive spaces. These initiatives demonstrate that employee wellbeing is influenced not only by policies and programs but also by the environments in which people work. Small green changes can make a meaningful difference to mental wellbeing, productivity and workplace culture.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Mental Health and Environmental Design
Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) – Mental Health and Lifestyle Studies
Lancet – Nature Exposure and Psychological Wellbeing Research
NITI Aayog – Workplace Wellness and Mental Health Reports
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Employee Engagement Studies
Statista – Workplace Wellness and Environmental Design Trends

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