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Published on: Apr 04, 2020
3 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Declaring A Pandemic — What Does This Mean ?

Its finally happened. Three months after the first case was reported in Wuhan, China, and after a 13 fold increase in cases in just two weeks, the World Health Organisation has designated COVID-19 a pandemic. This disease has resulted in over 121,500 confirmed cases across 114 nations, and 4,300 deaths, over 3,000 of them in China alone.

The WHO has shown alarm at some countries that have shown “alarming levels of inaction” and hope the new designation of pandemic will shock these nations into action. “This is not just a public health crisis, it is a crisis that will touch every sector,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general, at a media briefing. “So every sector and every individual must be involved in the fights.”

Despite this new update, it is not too late for nations to act, and countries can still impact the course of the outbreak by detecting, testing, treating and isolating patient, with further education to the public and contact tracing of cases.

WHAT IS A PANDEMIC

An epidemic is an increase in the spread of a disease within a community, and can be relatively common. Sometimes a single disease may spread rapidly in a small, unprepared community creating an epidemic. This is happening more often with the prevalence of the anti-vaxx movement, as immunity falters against preventable diseases like measles.

A pandemic on the other hand is the global outbreak of a serious new illness that is “sustainably transmitted throughout the world”. It is not a descriptor that is used lightly, as declaring a pandemic could “cause unreasonable fear, or unjustified acceptance that the fight is over,” if used incorrectly. There has been much discussion whether the declaration of N1N1 “swine flu” as a pandemic caused unnecessary panic, overwhelmed emergency services or caused excessive expenditure on antiviral medication.

Though they were concerned by the spread of the disease and came close by labelling it a “pandemic potential”, the WHO were reluctant to declare it one. Unfortunately, after 2 months of assessing the outbreak, members of the WHO were concerned “both by the alarming levels of spread and severity, and by the alarming levels of inaction.” There is no threshold, number of deaths, number of countries affected.

WHAT DOES THIS MEAN FOR THE COUNTRIES?

According to the World Bank, the annual global cost of a severe pandemic is around $570 billion, or 0.7% of the entire world’s income. This estimation is realised as more people stay at home and more authoritative measures are enforced by governments. At this time, Italy has not put in place nationwide quarantine with further closure of almost all shops and services bar food shops and chemists.

The UK is expected to move from the “containment” phase of the outbreak, aimed at halting the spread of the disease”, to “delay”. This instead accepts the disease cannot be contained, and instead looks to slow its progression. Measures such as “social distancing”, isolation of those showing minor viral symptoms and cancellation of social events. To prepare for the UK epidemic a £30bn package has been prepared to boost the economy during the COVID outbreak.

India has suspended all tourist visas and e-visas until April 15ht as a pandemic is declared. All incoming travellers including Indian nationals will be quarantined for a minimum of 14 days if they have visited China, Italy, Iran, Korea, France, Spain and Germany after 15ht February. Advice has also been given to avoid all non-essential travel abroad.

South Korea has ramped up testing, performing around 4,000 tests per million people between 3rd January and 11th March. In comparison to 1,000 per million in Italy, 400 per million in the UK and only 28 in the UK. This has been due to differences in government responses, the severity of outbreaks in each country and the nature of the healthcare system in each country.

The steady decrease in new coronavirus cases in South Korea has been attributed to this mass testing, improved public communications and the use of new technology to aid diagnosis and management. Interestingly it has been achieved without the drastic quarantine procedures in place in China and Italy.

WHAT SHOULD I DO

Washing your hands has been emphasised by almost all public health agencies and governments. And you should continue to follow this advice. Soap and water is one of the most effective ways to destroy the virus on your hands, and helps prevent its spread.

It is also important to avoid panic, and to not hoard soap, food and toilet roll. Do not trust forwards on WhatsApp or treatment advice suggested, as these can be ineffective or even dangerous. Recently 27 people died from alcohol poisoning after a myth was spread stating strong alcohol could cure coronavirus.

Similarly be wary of false cures being sold online or by un reputable stores. Currently there is no cure for COVID, and supportive treatment is required for those who fall extremely ill.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should self-isolate and notify your local health authorities. Symptoms include fever, cough, sneezing, general lethargy and joint pain, symptoms similar to the flu.

If you have confirmed COVID and have been asked to quarantine yourself, PLEASE STAY INDOORS. There have been instances of infected people continuing to partake in everyday activities, resulting in the spread of the infection, sometimes to vulnerable children and the elderly.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, Product Head, Second Medic Inc, UK

www.secondmedic.com

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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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