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

Anyone With Flu Like Symptoms Are Now Encouraged

The Bold Strategy the UK has adopted against COVID-19

The UK government had outlined its Coronavirus strategy in three distinct steps. The first stage was to contain the virus. This was implemented when spread of the virus was primarily by infected patients from abroad. Public health advice was provided, campaigns on washing hands, not touching the face, practicing safe hygiene. Potentially infected individuals were informed to self-quarantine for 14 days whilst waiting for symptoms to develop and testing to occur. Now it is evident this is not enough. The virus has spread to enough people that transmission can now occur locally, between people who have never been abroad. Containment is not the aim, mitigation of number of cases to prevent burdening the health services. The second stage aims to reduce the epidemic’s peak, flatten it out so the number of cases do not occur at once.

Anyone with flu like symptoms are now encouraged to stay home for 7 days, and testing will only occur for hospital admissions. Beyond this little appears to have changed. Schools will remain open, social gatherings have not been cut yet (but is expected over the next week) and general life will continue as normal. This is a risky measure, one that suggests the government is not taking the issue seriously. France, Spain and Italy have enacted lockdown measures, Germany has begun cutting social gatherings. So why is the UK not following in step? Are people going to die as a result of this inaction?

DELAY THE SPREAD

The answer is of course complex. PM Boris Johnson has acknowledged that as a result of his decision people may die, especially the elderly who are seen as a very vulnerable population. But this plan has been discussed with multiple scientists, doctors, public health specialists, and there is method in the madness. Currently the UK is in the early stages of the epidemic. The number of infected are expected to rise sharply in 4 weeks, with a peak in 10–14 weeks. Implementing harsh restrictions too early can lead to “self isolation fatigue”, resulting in people not following the restrictions stringently or leaving their homes at the height of the epidemic. Restrictions also come with their own problems, and implementing them may lead to more harm than good. Simple measures such as hand washing and self isolation can itself reduce the peak of cases by 20%.

Schools have not yet been closed because COVID-19 does not appear to affect children as much. Closure of schools would also mean parents having to stay at home to look after their children (after all, nurseries, creches and other forms of childcare would still result in a spread of infection). In some cases these parents are also healthcare professionals, and the UK needs every single doctor, nurse and allied health professional to be on the frontline treating patients.

So what is the strategy? The NHS is currently full of patients due to the winter burden, one that is expected to taper off in the coming months. Slowing the onset of the epidemic’s peak to Summer, spreading it across the next few months so the maximum number of people can be treated in the hospital setting without overburdening. The aim is no longer to prevent the spread of infection but to protect the most vulnerable age groups. This model allows the young and healthy to become infected, almost encourages it.

INFECT YOUR CITIZENS

Now this sentence may sound ridiculous when said out loud. Allow infection. But why? The UK has acknowledged there is no way to stop the infection. Whilst the mortality in the elderly population and those with medical conditions are high, in the young and healthy it manifests as a mild illness with almost all infected cases recovering. More importantly, recovered patients have immunity against the virus, manifesting as antibodies in their blood. Immune patients cannot infect other people, so the more immune patients there are the slower the virus will spread. This is known as herd immunity, and the process is discussed in length in our blog on vaccines. Herd immunity needs to be achieved before the onset of winter in 2020, as winter admissions alongside COVID admissions would result in a disaster.

https://medium.com/@rajneesh.dwivedi/developing-a-vaccine-for-covid-19-part-1-f7263ae9bf88 Rajneesh secondmedic

The strategy is of course risky, and one that has not been implemented before. And since the infection will not be contained people will die. But by spreading the burden of the infection across a longer time period will allow those who require treatment to receive it in a far less burdened health system. And it has received support from health professionals, even those who are fierce critics of the PM and Conservative government. But it has resulted in confusion amongst the population, a population that looks at authoritative action taking place in other countries and not understanding why their own doesn’t follow suit. The issue is these draconian measures are not sustainable, and if implemented correctly the UK strategy may result in far less lasting damage on its health service and the economy.

Dr Rajan Choudhary, London UK

Head Of Products, Second Medic Inc (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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