Kerala in India has been put on high alert following the detection of a second monkeypox case and the Union Health ministry ordered strict screening of all international passengers arriving at airports and ports to minimise the threat of its importation. The symptoms of monkeypox are fever, headaches, muscle aches, backache, chills, tiredness and even swollen lymph nodes while one can also notice a rash on the face and other areas of the body.

Monkeypox virus was discovered in 1958 when two outbreaks of a pox-like disease were seen in lab monkeys kept for the study and also the name was derived from them. Monkeypox virus belongs to the Orthopoxvirus genus in the family Poxviridae and is not life-threatening but there can be human-to-human transmission or animal to human transmission.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Dr Rituja Ugalmugle, Senior Doctor, MBBS, MD- Internal Medicine at Connect and Heal, revealed, “Typically symptoms may start within 5-13 days but can range from 3-21 days from exposure. First 2-5 days are usually characterized by fever, intense headache, back ache, muscle pains, enlarged lymph nodes and severe fatigue. Skin rash usually appears within 1 to 4 days and continues for 2-3 weeks. Typically concentrated on face, palms and soles, but may also affect oral mucosa, eyes and genitalia. Lesions are usually 2-5mm in size to begin with, then become raised and fluid or pus filled and eventually crust over. These crusts then dry up and fall off in 1-2 weeks.”

How is Monkeypox transmitted?

Dr Amit P Gawnde, Consultant Pulmonologist at Sujay Hospital, explained, “Monkeypox can be spread through several ways that includes direct contact with the infectious rash, scabs, or body fluids. It can spread through prolonged respiratory secretions, skin-to-skin contact and during physical intimacy among partners. Touching items used by an infected person such as clothes and linen can result in infection. A pregnant person can spread the disease to their fetus through the placenta. Additionally, it may get transmitted through animal like rodents or dead animals, bite or scratch of monkeys and bushmeat but we haven’t seen any such cases yet.”

Echoing the same, Dr Tanu Singhal, Consultant, Paediatrics And Infectious Disease at Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, said, “Monkeypox is caused by a Monkeypox virus and it is transmitted between humans through closed contact. Therefore, most of the patients who get this virus are those who have a family member with the disease, and it is generally not transmitted by casual contact. If we have to reduce human-to-human transmission, it is advisable to avoid close contact with patients who have suspected Monkeypox virus. Usually this virus is seen in patients who have a history of foreign travel to the various kinds of Monkeypox endemic countries.”

Adding to the list, Dr Rituja Ugalmugle shared:

1. Person-to-person transmission:

· Primarily through direct contact with sores, scabs and bodily fluids usually through close physical contact as in sexual activity

· Indirect transmission can occur through contact with material like clothing and linen contaminated with infectious material from bodily fluids or sores

· Virus can cross the placenta thus transmitting it from mother to foetus

2. Animal to human transmission:

· Primarily through physical contact with infected animal’s bodily fluids or sore or through bite

When to seek medical advice?

Complications may arise when in severe cases, it may lead to lung infection, sepsis, infection of the cornea of the eye, etc. According to Dr Rituja Ugalmugle, anyone with the symptoms and history of travel to areas where outbreaks of Monkeypox have been reported or history of close contact with suspected or confirmed Monkeypox cases should seek medical advice.

Precautions and preventive measures

Dr Amit P Gawnde suggested, “Although Monkey Pox is at its nascent stage, it is important to be careful so that it does not spread rampantly. Anyone associated with the patient or meet people who have any form of rash should avoid tactile contact. Abstain from sexual intercourse or close intimacy with an infected person. Ideally the patient should be given different plates and cutlery to eat and sleep on a different bed to prevent spreading of the disease. For care givers, it is recommended that they wash their hands with soap or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer frequently.”

Source: https://www.hindustantimes.com/lifestyle/health/monkeypox-person-to-person-transmission-animal-to-human-transmission-precautions-and-preventive-measures-101658283461286.html?utm_source=whatsapp&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=ht_site

A TOAST, a clink of champagne glasses, and a “bon appetit” at a high-end restaurant – nothing could be classier, right?

Actually, wrong. Etiquette coach Myka Meier reveals to The Sun that there are common mistakes you might be making at restaurants that could make you look unsophisticated – but luckily, they’re easy to fix.

CLINKING GLASSES
What’s a “cheers!” without the glass clink?

Classier, it turns out, if you’re at a fine dining establishment.

“Avoid the embarrassing mistake of clinking fine glassware or crystal champagne flutes provided at a high-end restaurant, where an overzealous cheer may easily chip the glass,” says Meier, who trained under a former member of the Queen’s royal household.

“Instead, simply raise a glass to your dining companions, make eye contact, and then drink.”

SAYING “BON APPETIT”

Another faux pas? Saying “bon appetit” before digging into your dish.

“While this age-old restaurant signal for one to tell their guests to begin the meal may seem commonplace, it’s actually incorrect in French to say this before eating,” Meier explains.

“It actually implies for one to have good digestion,” she says.

“Instead, simply saying ‘please enjoy’ to your guests if you are the host at a restaurant is suggested.”

U.S. WNBA basketball star Brittney Griner has made a direct plea to President Joe Biden to stand up for her in an emotional letter sent to the White House on Monday as she remains detained in Russia on drug charges.

Griner, who was held at a Moscow airport on Feb. 17 when a search of her luggage allegedly revealed multiple cannabis oil vape cartridges, went on trial on Friday and could face up to 10 years in a Russian jail.

The case takes place against a backdrop of high tension between Moscow and Washington over the conflict in Ukraine. U.S. officials say Griner has been detained wrongfully.

“As I sit here in a Russian prison, alone with my thoughts and without the protection of my wife, family, friends, Olympic jersey, or any accomplishments, I’m terrified I might be here forever,” she wrote in a letter, excerpts of which have been shared by her representatives.

“On the 4th of July, our family normally honors the service of those who fought for our freedom, including my father who is a Vietnam War Veteran.

“It hurts thinking about how I usually celebrate this day because freedom means something completely different to me this year.”

Griner, who competes in the U.S. Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) but has also played regularly in Russia, was formally told at the first hearing that she was charged with intentionally importing narcotics into Russia.

 Playing her first singles match for a year after injury, Serena Williams’ opening-round Wimbledon loss to Harmony Tan on Tuesday was hardly her most unexpected defeat, but there were plenty of signs it could be the most portentous yet.

Of course nobody goes on for ever, not even Williams who has performed numerous near miracles throughout a career spanning three decades.

Still, it made for uncomfortable viewing seeing the rusty seven-times champion a faded shadow of the player who has won 23 Grand Slam singles crowns.

On this day in 1975 an Emergency was imposed in India by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi. The Emergency remained in effect for a 21-month period from June 25 1975 to March 21 1977. President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed proclaimed Emergency due to internal disturbances under Article 352 of the Constitution of India on the recommendations of the government led by PM Indira Gandhi.

The Emergency is often regarded as a dark phase in the history of India’s democracy as the period marked suspension of fundamental rights guaranteed under the Constitution, state censorship on media and crackdown on civil liberties.

WHAT IS EMERGENCY?

The Article 352 of the Indian Constitution proclaims that the President of India can declare a National Emergency if the security of the country is at stake and is threatened by either war, external aggression, or internal disturbance/armed rebellion.

On the night of June 25, within hours of dialogue between PM Gandhi and President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed, a National Emergency was declared. Multiple opposition leaders were arrested.

Source: https://www.news18.com/news/lifestyle/on-this-day-in-1975-a-state-of-emergency-was-declared-in-india-5421685.html

BTS has announced a hiatus as a group to focus on solo projects. The members assured fans that they are taking some time apart, and not disbanding.

K-pop group BTS has officially announced a hiatus as a group during their FESTA dinner that premiered on YouTube. Shocking the entire world on Tuesday, BTS announced that they will now be beginning the second chapter of their journey and focus more on solo projects, as they discover themselves as artists. An emotional Bangtan also reiterated that they are taking this time apart to come back stronger. Rapper Suga clarified, “BTS is not disbanding.”

GROUP NOT DISBANDING
Members RM, Jin, SUGA, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook touched upon the subject, 20 minutes into their dinner. Suga mentioned, “We’re going on a hiatus now. Should we talk about why we’re not doing the FESTA or making content?” Speaking about the next direction for the members, RM mentioned how as a group they feel lost. He said, “I started music and became BTS because I had a message for the world.” However, with the pandemic hitting and things changing, RM said, he realised, “the group has definitely changed.”

“We have to accept that we’ve changed. For me, it was like the group BTS was within my grasp until ‘On’ and ‘Dynamite,’ but after ‘Butter’ and ‘Permission to Dance,’ I didn’t know what kind of group we were anymore.” He mentioned that as a group and as individual members they don’t want to succumb to the K-pop culture that doesn’t allow artists to mature.

Source: https://www.indiatoday.in/lifestyle/what-s-hot/story/bts-announces-hiatus-as-a-group-to-focus-on-solo-project-1962489-2022-06-14?utm_source=washare&utm_medium=socialicons&utm_campaign=shareurltracking

Text description provided by the architects. Every project is a response to several parameters- some physical, some metaphysical, some tangible, and some intangible. Today the idea of sustainability is imperative, but its definition has many interpretations. One such response and interpretation is this house we fondly named- House of Concrete Experiments.

Any client would be hesitant to experiment with new ideas and materials for their home, but not the owner of this house. A true patron; himself having studied at MIT, a thinking progressive mind with an attitude towards innovation and an understanding that failure is only one of the many steps to success. He understands that the environment and its care are primary that costs towards anything new is not quantified in its direct outcome, but in what it does for years ahead and that architecture is the highest form of art.

I have been blessed, not once but twice with this patron, for whom this is his second home we built; the House of Concrete experiments. To avoid being pedantic over a detailed description of the house, below are its salient features.

The House of Concrete Experiments is a residential project, located in the coastal town of Alibaug, near Mumbai. Set on the foothills of Deotalai in Zirad, the house is amidst a mango orchard.

Source: https://www.archdaily.com/981498/house-of-concrete-experiments-samira-rathod-design-associates

The term mirror decor might seem odd to many, especially to those who consider home decor to be confined to just furnishings and wall accents. For all those late bloomers, here we are deciphering an important home décor—mirror decoration.

For years, mirrors have been confined to bedrooms and powder rooms. However, with time, many people are realising the potential this simple piece of decor possesses.

Every well-designed home should have mirrors, not just to check the fitting of a dress or to correct your makeup, but as a décor item that adds life and colour to the house. However, just a plain mirror will not add any character or appeasement. That’s why we are listing seven home decor mirror ideas that will help you spruce up your home:

1. Spice it up with plants

Embellishing a mirror with planters is an ingenious décor idea that is yet to be explored by many. However, the few who have explored it would agree that it is a style choice worth trying.

2. Hang it on the gallery wall

Artwork and photos are not the only things that can be placed on a gallery wall. Mirrors, too, can look sleek here. Find a vintage decorative mirror and add it to your gallery wall. It serves as a focal point for the wall decoration.

3. Mirror door

Instead of hanging a mirror on a wall, you can place it on a door. Not an indigenous idea, but it is worth a try. This decor advice is ideal for people with smaller homes. This way, you will save space, and the mirror will make your space look larger than it is.

4. Matte metal frame

If you have an affinity for modern décor ideas, then a matte metal framed mirror will surely impress you. These kinds of metal-framed mirrors are trending, and people prefer them over traditional vanity mirrors. They are also ideal for small spaces. Furthermore, they are light and easy to install.

5. Large, accent mirrors

If you are into minimalistic interiors and prefer fewer décor items in your house, then consider installing a large mirror on the accent wall of your living room. The mirror will single-handedly add a unique character to the space.

6. Artsy headboard

Find a giant mirror, install it behind the bed, instead of the headboard, and voila! You have found an artsy, one-of-a-kind headboard for your home. It is aesthetic and inexpensive.

7. Small and mighty

People assume that only large mirrors can spurn magic. However, many don’t know that tiny mirrors can add to the charm as well. Small, square-shaped mirrors can be a mighty addition to your mirror interior design.

Source: https://zeezest.com/homes/7-decor-ideas-with-mirrors-to-spruce-up-your-apartment-1729

Sunlight and refreshing connections with Mother Nature make these modern dining rooms into irresistibly inviting spaces in which to gather, break bread and linger for a good while longer. In this varied collection of 51 dining rooms that connect with light and nature, we’ll take a look at botanical dining spaces that are filled with living greenery, dining rooms with linked courtyard designs, glass walls that break open indoor eating spaces to lush gardens and poolside terraces, plus outdoor dining rooms for an authentic al fresco experience. We’ll cover many different aesthetics too, from boho and rustic to modern and industrial style, plus global inspiration from Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Mexico, and Brazil.

Stack it. Double-banked windows pull the sky into this modern dining room interior, where the rich wood tone of a stunning live edge dining table is complemented by walls of exposed red brickwork. A grey concrete floor cools the combo.

Multifaceted connections. Dual aspect windows and roofline windows crack open this large and light-filled dining space to different views of the garden and skyscrape. Glass walls retract to allow a through-breeze to flow freely, bringing with it the sounds and scents of the environment.

A nature sandwich. With open views of the environment on one side of the house, constructing an internal courtyard will sandwich your dining space between enriching natural scenery. More images of this home here. This double-sided, nature kissed dining space features a majestic tree that pushes up through a centrally situated courtyard. This courtyard design also gives the dining room a solid connection with the rest of the home.

Dramatically draped. This sophisticated dining spot features a wide woodland view that’s flanked in heavy, dramatic drapes. A bold linear suspension light adds to the framed effect.

Take it to the water’s edge. If you don’t live by a lake, then create the waterside experience for yourself with a wraparound pool design. The water will make magical light reflections of walls, ceiling and floors.

Sheltered and shaded. Outdoor eating areas have a special draw, bringing us closest to nature when we’re caring for ourselves in the most natural way. Adding a shelter over top means that we can continue the experience even in light rain showers or searing sunlight.

Another sheltered outdoor dining area, this time with a landscaped border to bring nature right to the fingertips.

Ihave to say, I have mixed feelings about all of the inspirational quotes for writers I’ve read over the years.

On one hand, I have fond memories of the meaningful phrases that have motivated me when I needed a little push to keep generating creative blog post ideas. On the other hand … I’m a little skeptical and have some questions:

• Did that person actually say that?
• What was the context?
• Was that quote intended to inspire anyone?

It’s often difficult to verify the sources of quotations, so you have to first account for misattribution, as well as sentiments taken out of context. Putting any person or words on a pedestal can be a distraction.

Ultimately, professional writers have to take inspirational quotes with a grain of salt — extracting the benefits we project onto them without getting too wrapped up in their significance.

Then, you can create your own inspiration for content ideas by living like a writer and developing a filter that helps you critically examine everything around you.

Drift San José del Cabo is a minimalist boutique hotel located in San José del Cabo, Mexico, designed by RIMA. The property features 29 guest rooms and suites in addition to a courtyard pool, mezcal bar, and rooftop terrace. The intimate property is a contrast among the larger resorts found throughout the area.

The whitewashed hotel exterior blends as much with its surrounding environment as it does the interiors, which have a smooth concrete finish. Heavy, raw materials – such as wood, stone, and steel – are incorporated into each space to create a sanctuary-like atmosphere surrounded by lush greenery.

Source: https://design-milk.com/a-hotel-offering-a-sanctuary-like-atmosphere-surrounded-by-lush-greenery/