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Published on: May 15, 2020
4 minute read
By: Dr Rajan Choudhary

Living With COVID And Returning To BAU!

Hurdles to Business As Usual – Hurdles to Life as Usual – Living with COVID!

Obstacles to re-open the country

As we come to the 2-month mark of lockdown, its effect on the populous is becoming apparent. The extreme restrictions have had a significant impact on people’s physical health, mental health, and general livelihood, and many people are itching for life to get back to normal. Many countries including New Zealand, Germany, Italy, and Spain have seen the first peak of COVID infections pass, and some have already begun reopening parts of their economy. This has led to concerns from public health officials that relaxing the lockdown too early and too liberally will lead to a rapid increase in infection rates. Indeed, Germany has already seen an increase in R0 above 1 (one infected person will infect more than one person, causing the disease to propagate).

Trying to work out how to reopen a country without causing another spike in COVID deaths is probably the biggest issue faced by public health officials across the world. And trying to convey clear instructions to the public is an issue some countries are currently struggling with. In the next few blogs we will look at the issues faced, what has worked and what needs improvement, and what we as the public can do to keep ourselves safe.

THE MASKS WE WEAR

We have discussed masks at the start of the pandemic, and we have discussed masks as the pandemic has progressed. Why are we bringing it up again?

Masks have been a heated point of contention, but their role in public health has matured over the past few weeks. At the beginning of the pandemic, masks were a rare commodity, with DIY stores running dry of masks, stories of people stealing masks from clinical environments, and very confusing advice on whether the public should wear masks in public.

At that time the WHO had recommended only infected patients and those working with infected people wear masks, to save on the precious PPE for medical professionals. N95 respirators are seen as the gold standard in protective equipment, and hospitals are still struggling to provide staff with enough respirators, let alone the public. Concerns have also been raised on whether using masks will provide a false sense of security, especially if they stop washing hands or touch the infected parts of the masks.

But now we are past the first COVID peak, and advice on masks has changed. People should wear a mask if they are in public. Germany has implemented this advice, as has Austria for its public markets. In the US many stores are requesting public wear masks before entry. Rather than surgical masks or respirators, the use of homemade or purchased cotton masks has been encouraged.

LET’S LOOK AT WHY

Surgical masks and respirators aim to protect the user from inhaling microscopic aerosolized COVID particles. Cotton masks do not function this way. Instead, they prevent the wearer from spreading COVID by catching much larger droplets that is coughed/sneezed or generally breathed out.

The majority of people with COVID-19 are able to spread the infection to others up to 3 days before they show symptoms. Indeed as many as 50% of infections seem to occur from pre-symptomatic individuals. During this time they produce the greatest amount of viral particles, and these particles can stay in the air for several hours. Someone with asymptomatic COVID walking around in public or in a shop could infect lots of people.

So wearing a mask, even if you are not symptomatic or around infected patients helps prevent the spread of the infection. We know already just how infective COVID-19 is, so any measures that reduces infection even a little will end up reducing spread drastically on a population level. It has been compared to seatbelts – one person might not feel the benefits, but they save thousands of lives across the country on a yearly basis.

IS THERE ANY EVIDENCE?

In our blogs, we often talk about the importance of evidence. We look at the quality of evidence, how different types of research gives good and bad evidence, and why we should always give evidence-based advice.

So is there any evidence supporting masks? We have evidence that cloth masks can stop 99% of droplets that are coughed up, and whilst it doesn’t block aerosols or actual viral particles it still has a significant impact on transmission. We also have strong evidence from high infectivity in choir groups and at call centers that the majority of transmission is via the air, rather than from surfaces.

But what about the highest level of evidence? Comparing people who do or don’t wear masks is not a study that can be easily performed or one that has been performed adequately. But why should you wait? There is minimal to no risk associated with wearing a cloth mask, it offers some protection to you and a lot of protection to the public. In these cases, we should take a precautionary approach.

We don’t have any high-quality evidence looking at hand washing or physical distancing. But precautionary measures enforced have helped reduce infectivity. The same applies to masks. The best we can offer is an Australian study looking at mask use during influenza. They found observational data suggest that transmission of viral respiratory infection was significantly reduced during the SARS epidemic with the use of face masks as well as other infection control measures” and “in an adjusted analysis of compliant subjects, masks as a group had protective efficacy in excess of 80% against clinical influenza-like illness.”. In compliant users, masks were highly efficacious.

So that’s our advice. If you're going to go out in public, wear a mask.

If you don’t have a mask, you can order one online. Or be adventurous. Make one out of an old T-shirt or sock. Here are some ways to make one without needing to sew.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/may/11/make-non-medical-coronavirus-face-mask-no-sewing-required masks

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r51YroAFPds DIY Face Mask

MORE INFORMATION

https://www.fast.ai/2020/04/20/skeptics-masks/#mightnt-people-handle-their-masks-wrong-and-make-things-worse Masks - FAQ

https://www.bmj.com/content/369/bmj.m1435 face masks for the public

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/article/PIIS0140-6736(20)30918-1/fulltext wearing face masks in the community during the COVID-19 pandemic: altruism and solidarity

https://twitter.com/trishgreenhalgh/status/1253244613927874560 twitter trisha

Dr Rajan Choudhary, UK, Chief Product Officer, Second Medic Inc

www.secondmedic.com

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Virtual Cooking Class with a Dietitian: Why It’s a Powerful Corporate Wellness Benefit

Corporate wellness programs in India are undergoing a meaningful transformation. What once revolved primarily around annual health checkups and gym memberships is now shifting toward sustainable lifestyle-based interventions. Among these, the virtual cooking class with a dietitian has emerged as one of the most practical and high-impact wellness initiatives for modern workplaces.

Poor dietary habits are a leading contributor to lifestyle-related conditions such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, and heart disease. According to the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5), a significant proportion of India’s working population consumes excess refined carbohydrates, sugar, and unhealthy fats, while falling short on protein, fibre, and essential micronutrients.

For corporate wellness initiatives to create lasting impact, they must move beyond awareness and actively support behaviour change. Dietitian-led virtual cooking classes address this gap by turning nutritional knowledge into daily practice.

Why Nutrition Is a Critical Corporate Wellness Priority

1. Rising lifestyle disease burden among employees

ICMR data highlights the growing health challenge within India’s workforce:

Over 100 million Indians live with diabetes
Nearly one in four adults has hypertension
Obesity rates are rising even among younger professionals

These conditions directly affect productivity, absenteeism, insurance claims, and long-term healthcare costs.

2. Desk-bound and remote work culture

Sedentary routines, irregular meal timings, and reliance on processed or convenience foods have become common in corporate environments, especially with hybrid and remote work models.

3. Knowledge does not translate into action

Many employees are aware of what constitutes healthy eating but struggle to apply this knowledge in everyday cooking. Virtual cooking classes bridge this gap by offering hands-on, real-world guidance.

What Is a Virtual Cooking Class with a Dietitian?

A virtual cooking class with a dietitian is an interactive online session led by a qualified nutrition professional who:

Demonstrates healthy, practical recipes
Explains ingredient choices and substitutions
Teaches portion control and meal balance
Addresses common dietary myths
Answers real-time participant questions

Unlike generic cooking shows or wellness webinars, these sessions are evidence-based and aligned with preventive health goals. They are designed specifically for corporate audiences, ensuring simplicity, cultural relevance, and scalability.

Why Virtual Cooking Classes Work Better Than Traditional Nutrition Talks

1. Practical skill-building

Employees learn how to:

Plan balanced meals
Cook quick, healthy dishes
Reduce excess sugar, salt, and oil
Read food labels with confidence

Skill-based learning leads to stronger habit formation than passive education.

2. Higher engagement and participation

Interactive cooking sessions are:

More engaging than lecture-style talks
Suitable for virtual and hybrid teams
Inclusive across age groups and roles

Participants actively cook, ask questions, and engage rather than passively listening.

3. Cultural relevance

Dietitians tailor recipes to Indian food habits, regional preferences, and household realities, making healthy eating feel practical and sustainable rather than restrictive.

Key Benefits for Employees

Improved daily nutrition

Employees gain confidence in preparing balanced, nourishing meals at home.

Better energy and focus

Stable blood sugar levels and improved nutrient intake support sustained energy and mental clarity during work hours.

Reduced lifestyle disease risk

WHO and Lancet research confirms that dietary improvements significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases.

Stress reduction

Cooking itself can be therapeutic, contributing positively to mental wellbeing.

Family-wide impact

Healthy habits learned by employees often influence household food choices, extending benefits beyond the workplace.

Why Employers Benefit from Virtual Cooking Classes

1. Reduced absenteeism

Healthier employees tend to experience fewer illness-related absences.

2. Improved productivity

Better nutrition supports cognitive performance, stamina, and focus.

3. Lower long-term healthcare costs

Preventive nutrition initiatives reduce the burden of chronic disease-related claims.

4. Stronger wellness culture

Interactive and practical programs demonstrate genuine employer commitment to employee wellbeing.

5. High return on investment

Compared to large-scale medical interventions, virtual cooking classes are cost-effective, scalable, and easy to implement.

EY–FICCI corporate wellness reports consistently show that nutrition-focused preventive programs deliver higher engagement and long-term impact.

Topics Commonly Covered in Corporate Cooking Classes

Balanced Indian meals
Focus on protein, fibre, and micronutrient adequacy
Quick workday recipes
Healthy meals prepared in under 30 minutes
Disease-preventive diets
Heart-healthy, diabetes-friendly, and weight-conscious cooking
Smart ingredient swaps
Replacing refined grains, excess oil, and added sugar
Portion control techniques
Understanding serving sizes without calorie obsession
Reading food labels
Identifying hidden sugar, sodium, and trans fats

How Virtual Cooking Classes Support Preventive Healthcare

Preventive healthcare focuses on addressing risk factors before disease develops, and nutrition plays a central role in this approach.

According to WHO and NITI Aayog:

Dietary modification is among the most cost-effective preventive strategies
Workplace interventions significantly influence adult eating habits

Virtual cooking classes help:

Reinforce preventive screening insights
Support chronic disease management
Improve adherence to dietitian recommendations

Role of AI-Guided Insights in Corporate Nutrition Programs

Modern wellness programs increasingly use data-driven tools to strengthen impact. AI-enabled health insights can:

Identify common nutritional gaps across employee populations
Personalise dietary recommendations
Support dietitians with evidence-based insights
Track long-term wellness outcomes

This ensures cooking sessions are aligned with real employee health needs rather than generic advice.

Why Virtual Delivery Works Best for Corporates

Easy scalability across multiple locations
No physical infrastructure required
Ideal for remote and hybrid teams
Flexible scheduling
Consistent quality delivery

Virtual formats ensure uniform wellness experiences regardless of employee location.

Long-Term Impact on Corporate Wellness

Organisations that consistently implement nutrition-focused wellness initiatives observe:

Higher employee engagement
Improved biometric health indicators
Reduced burnout
Stronger employer branding

Lancet workplace health studies indicate that nutrition-based interventions show measurable benefits within 6–12 months.

Conclusion

A virtual cooking class with a dietitian is more than a wellness activity—it is a powerful preventive health intervention. By equipping employees with practical nutrition skills, these sessions drive meaningful behaviour change, reduce lifestyle disease risk, and support long-term wellbeing. For organisations seeking impactful, scalable, and evidence-based corporate wellness solutions, dietitian-led virtual cooking classes represent a forward-thinking investment in workforce health.

References

ICMR – Dietary Patterns and Lifestyle Disease Prevention Reports
National Family Health Survey (NFHS-5) – Nutrition and Metabolic Health Data
NITI Aayog – Workplace Wellness and Preventive Healthcare Reports
WHO – Diet, Nutrition and Chronic Disease Prevention Guidelines
Lancet – Workplace Nutrition Interventions and Health Outcomes
EY-FICCI – Corporate Wellness and Productivity Studies
Statista – Corporate Wellness Program Trends in India

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