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Published on: Jul 07, 2020
1 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Asymptomatic Carriers Of COVID

Why Asymptomatic carriers of COVID are as dangerous as symptomatic patients

Many countries have now begun enforcing masks for everyone to wear when out in public, in enclosed spaces, or on public transport. There is good evidence to support these measures, but unfortunately, some still show resistance to the idea. Whilst some reasons put forward are non-sensical (masks do not cause any noticeable or measurable decrease in oxygen delivery to the body), other people feel like they shouldn’t wear a mask because they do not have symptoms of COVID. And thus would not spread anything. Here we look at a recent publication in Nature, one of the most esteemed peer-reviewed scientific journals in the world, and what it shows us about the transmission of COVID in a population.

This study by Lavezzo et al looked at the suppression of the SARS-CoV-2 outbreak in the Italian municipality of Vo’. This municipality is 50 kilometers west of Venice with a population of just 3,416 people. It experienced its first casualty of COVID on the 21st of February, after which it underwent lockdown for 14 days. During this time data was collected on the clinical presentation and hospitalization of COVID patients, as well as other citizens through the contact tracing network.

In total 2,812 residents were tested in late February, with another 2,343 tests performed two weeks later at the end of lockdown. Nasal and throat swabs were taken to identify infected individuals. The study found only 2.6% of people were positive for COVID at the start of lockdown, which reduced to 1.2% two weeks later.

Out of this infected population, 42.5% were asymptomatic. They had no symptoms at the time of swab testing nor did they develop symptoms afterwards. When the viral load was measured between symptomatic and asymptomatic patients, there was little difference.

Evidence has pointed to a large asymptomatic population, and previous studies have shown it to be as high as 50% in some cases. Many would assume if a patient has no symptoms then they must have fought the infection before it became an issue, or had a very low viral load and therefore were not likely to spread it. This study shows it is simply not true. Asymptomatic carriers of COVID are likely to contribute to the transmission and spread of COVID amongst the population.

If you are asymptomatic you have as high a viral load as someone who is symptomatic. But there is no way to tell without a swab. You have as much of a potential to spread the infection to the vulnerable. Even in people who became symptomatic the height of transmission was found to be before the patient showed any symptoms.

So what does this mean? If you have COVID you are likely to spread it before you show any symptoms or any symptoms at all. We know masks are effective at significantly reducing the spread of COVID, by catching the water droplets that carry the SARS-CoV-2 Virus. Now that shops and public places are re-opening, the risk of spread is high.

Wear a mask. Stop the spread.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-020-2488-1_reference.pdf suppression of a SARS article

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Employee Wall of Fame: Celebrating Uniqueness to Build a Positive Workplace Culture

In today’s evolving workplaces, employee engagement is no longer driven solely by compensation or job titles. People seek recognition, inclusion and a sense of belonging. One of the most effective yet simple ways to achieve this is through an Employee Wall of Fame. By celebrating individuality and contribution, organisations can create a culture where employees feel seen, valued and motivated.

Recognition is not a luxury. It is a fundamental driver of organisational wellbeing and performance.

Why Recognition Matters in the Workplace

Recognition fulfills a basic human need: appreciation.

When employees feel recognised:

morale improves
motivation increases
loyalty strengthens
burnout reduces

According to global workplace studies, lack of recognition is one of the top reasons for employee disengagement.

What Is an Employee Wall of Fame?

An Employee Wall of Fame is a physical or digital space dedicated to highlighting employees for their achievements, values, creativity or unique strengths.

It may showcase:

professional accomplishments
teamwork contributions
innovation and problem-solving
leadership qualities
personal milestones

The focus is not competition, but appreciation.

Celebrating Uniqueness, Not Just Performance

Traditional recognition often focuses only on targets or numbers.

A Wall of Fame expands recognition to include:

collaboration
consistency
empathy
creativity
positive attitude

This approach ensures diverse strengths are valued.

Psychological Impact of Workplace Recognition

Recognition positively affects mental health.

Benefits include:

improved self-esteem
reduced stress
increased sense of purpose
stronger emotional connection to work

WHO recognises psychosocial wellbeing as a key component of healthy workplaces.

Inclusion and Belonging Through Recognition

Celebrating uniqueness supports inclusion.

It helps:

recognise diverse backgrounds
reduce bias
promote equal visibility

When employees see people like themselves being appreciated, trust and belonging grow.

Employee Wall of Fame as a Culture-Building Tool

Culture is shaped by what organisations choose to celebrate.

A visible Wall of Fame:

reinforces company values
sets behavioural standards
inspires others

It becomes a living reflection of organisational culture.

Types of Recognition on a Wall of Fame

Achievement-Based Recognition

For milestones, project success or innovation.

Value-Based Recognition

For demonstrating company values such as integrity or teamwork.

Peer Recognition

Employees nominate colleagues, increasing engagement.

Personal Growth Recognition

Celebrating learning, upskilling or personal achievements.

How an Employee Wall of Fame Improves Engagement

Engaged employees:

perform better
collaborate more
stay longer

EY-FICCI workplace studies show recognition-driven programs significantly improve engagement scores.

Impact on Productivity and Performance

Recognition creates positive reinforcement.

Employees who feel valued:

take ownership of work
show initiative
maintain consistency

Appreciation fuels sustained performance.

Supporting Mental Wellbeing at Work

Recognition reduces workplace stress by:

validating effort
reducing feelings of invisibility
encouraging positive feedback loops

Mental wellbeing improves when employees feel respected and acknowledged.

How to Design an Effective Employee Wall of Fame

Key principles include:

inclusivity
transparency
fairness
consistency

Clear criteria prevent bias and ensure credibility.

Physical vs Digital Wall of Fame

Physical Wall

Creates visual impact in office spaces.

Digital Wall

Ideal for remote or hybrid teams.

Both formats can coexist for maximum reach.

Frequency of Updates Matters

Stale recognition loses impact.

Best practices include:

monthly highlights
quarterly rotations
special occasion features

Fresh content sustains enthusiasm.

Role of Leadership in Recognition

Leadership participation strengthens impact.

When leaders:

nominate employees
share appreciation publicly

recognition becomes part of organisational identity.

Employee Participation and Ownership

Encouraging peer nominations:

increases engagement
reduces hierarchy
builds mutual respect

Recognition becomes a shared responsibility.

Measuring the Impact of Recognition Initiatives

Impact can be assessed through:

engagement surveys
retention metrics
feedback forms
participation rates

Data-driven insights help refine programs.

Long-Term Benefits of Celebrating Uniqueness

Over time, organisations experience:

stronger culture
higher retention
improved employer branding
healthier workplace relationships

Recognition is a long-term investment, not a one-time activity.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

recognising only top performers
favouritism
lack of transparency
irregular updates

Consistency and fairness are essential.

Employee Wall of Fame as Part of Holistic Wellness

Recognition complements:

mental health initiatives
team-building programs
wellness activities

A supportive culture enhances overall wellbeing.

Conclusion

An Employee Wall of Fame is more than a display—it is a statement of values. By celebrating uniqueness and recognising diverse contributions, organisations create workplaces where people feel valued, motivated and connected. In an era where employee wellbeing and engagement define success, recognition-driven initiatives like a Wall of Fame play a vital role in building resilient, inclusive and high-performing teams. Celebrating people is not just good culture—it is good leadership.

References

World Health Organization (WHO) – Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing
EY-FICCI – Employee Engagement and Workplace Culture Reports
NITI Aayog – Future of Work and Organisational Wellbeing Studies
Lancet – Psychosocial Work Environment Research
Statista – Global Employee Engagement and Recognition Trends

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