CORONAVIRUS: how to shop safely in stores

Ways to protect yourself from infection with coronavirus (COVID-19) when buying groceries in stores. Chlorine disinfectant at home.

INNA CODRU , MARCH 21, 2020

As more information becomes available about the coronavirus pandemic, some information may have changed since it was last updated. For the most up-to-date information on COVID-19, please visit the online resources provided by the Ministry of Health, WHO and your local public health department.

In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many of us are trying to limit contact with other people and not leave our homes unless absolutely necessary to avoid the risk of spreading the disease. For some, that means working from home, taking online classes and homeschooling kids, or just watching TV shows.

Even though our daily routine has changed dramatically over the past few weeks, one thing hasn't changed: THE NEED TO EAT REGULARLY. Fortunately, many grocery stores did not close their doors to keep our refrigerators in good shape :). But the question is: is it safe to go out to the nearest supermarket when supplies start to run low?

It all depends on how high the risk of contracting COVID-19 is in your area. According to Dr. Chris J. Wyant, Chairman of the Board of Health and former member of the U.S. National Drinking Water Advisory Council. “People at high risk of death include the elderly, people who are immunocompromised, people with respiratory problems or who are being treated for cancer,” he says.

The Centers for Viral Disease Control and Prevention also includes people who have heart disease or diabetes in this category.

"[These populations] should avoid crowds and avoid public visitation at this time unless absolutely necessary," adds Dr. Wyant. “Those who are not at high risk can go to the store, but must practice good personal hygiene. To protect the elderly and sick, people at low risk may want to buy groceries or other supplies they need.”

One reason for the increase in stress for many people is a decrease in physical activity. Your body needs physical exertion to give your brain a rest to get rid of all mental stress.

REMEMBER: Being prepared for a pandemic does not mean stockpiling or hoarding food.

If you are considered "high-risk" and you do not have a reliable assistant who could bring groceries, then experts say that it is safest to turn your attention to home delivery services - although this method does not give a 100% guarantee not to get infected (about which we will discuss below). Fortunately, whether you choose to order food online or walk to the nearest grocery store, there are some precautions you can take to reduce your chances of getting infected.

According to Dr. Wyant and other experts, here are the best PRACTICAL TIPS to REDUCE THE RISK OF INFECTION when shopping at the grocery store:

IF YOU PLAN TO ORDER PRODUCTS ONLINE...

Ask the courier to leave groceries outside the door. “If contactless delivery of groceries or meals is available, choose this option,” says Dr. Wyant. It is possible that you or the courier are carriers of the COVID-19 virus, so it is best to maintain minimal contact with each other. Some services have notes where you can indicate how you would like your products to be delivered, so ask to have them left outside.

Always be sure to wash your hands BEFORE and AFTER handling groceries at the doorstep . Doctors recommend washing your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. Although researchers say there is little risk of contracting the virus from contaminated surfaces such as bags and packaging, it is better to be safe than sorry.

IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO GO TO A GROCERY STORE...

Go at a time when the store has the fewest customers . Since the virus is mostly transmitted through close contact with other people, the key to social distancing is avoiding large crowds. But if you don't get the timing right and find yourself in a grocery store with a lot of people, grab what you need and leave right away. Without thinking that "maybe I'll buy something else useful for one." If you see your friends or acquaintances, then just wave or nod at them . Talk to them from a distance (experts recommend at least one and a half meters) or arrange to communicate with them by phone or via instant messengers. Avoid hugs and handshakes .

Bring disinfectant wipes with you so you can clean any shopping baskets or bags you use. Gloves are not very suitable here, because if your gloves touch a contaminated product, they will simply contaminate all subsequent products that you have touched. Just shop carefully and avoid touching your face, eyes, and nose when you shop and on your way home . “Use hand sanitizer after you pay,” Dr. Wyant advises.

WHAT TO DO WITH THE FOOD YOU BRING HOME:

You must disinfect all non - porous containers and packaging . We are talking about food packaging like vacuum bags, bottles, jars - glass, metal, plastic, etc. You can use your regular disinfectant wipes or make your OWN CHLORINE DISINFECTANT SOLUTION .

How to make a chlorine disinfectant . The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggests this recipe: mix 1/3 cup of bleach into 4 liters of water, or 4 teaspoons of bleach per liter of water

Wipe the containers with this solution and leave for one minute on the surface until they dry.

Food safety rules have not changed when it comes to eating fresh fruits and vegetables: just put them under the tap and rinse with clean hands to remove dirt. Soap is not recommended, as many of the ingredients in soap solutions are harmful to ingest. Plus, there is virtually no evidence that the coronavirus is transmitted through food.

After you've put away all your groceries, disinfect all surfaces that your bags have touched. It is generally good practice to clean surfaces after any use.

THE ESSENCE OF THIS IS:

Even during this time when we try to limit our contact with other people, we all, sooner or later, will need to go to the grocery store. The main thing is to be reasonable in how we act in order to minimize the risk of contracting and spreading the virus, especially among the most vulnerable segments of the population.

Healthy people, with a low risk of severe infection, do not necessarily need to run to the store for any reason. It is best for them to maintain proper (physical and domestic) hygiene and also avoid close interaction with others.

If you are a person with a high risk of infection, try to reduce the frequency of shopping as much as possible. Instead, try to use online food ordering and apply the tips above.