Grocery shopping is a necessity, but it has also become one of the most anxiety-inducing activities in our daily pandemic-filled lives. From crowds that are sometimes impossible to avoid to concerns surrounding what we should (and shouldn’t) be touching, the potential for contracting the coronavirus at our local market seems overwhelming. However, we can all breathe a collective (masked) sigh of relief, because now the CDC is has provided clear, instructive safety guidelines that we can follow to ensure we’re staying as safe as possible when we’re out shopping.
As the CDC is learning more about the nature of COVID-19 and the way it spreads amongst the population, their guidelines on potential ways you could contract the disease and how to protect yourself are constantly being updated. To consolidate all of this information, the government agency put together a handy guide of “Tips to Follow When Grocery Shopping,” so you can be aware of the main source of transmission and how to protect yourself.
At the beginning of the pandemic, many of us were concerned about picking up coronavirus from food packaging. However, now the CDC has stated that “the risk of [COVID-19] infection from food products, food packaging, or bags is thought to be low.” Good news!
Okay, that goes for food and food products, but what about everything else you find at a grocery store? According to UC Davis food virology researcher Erin DiCaprio, PhD, it’s more important to focus on avoiding high volume touch surfaces like door handles and credit card machines as compared to a tomato in the produce section.
So, while touching surfaces or objects isn’t thought to be the main way the virus spreads, but the CDC clarified that “it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes.” (The CDC’s guidelines for grocery or food retail workers still encourage employees to minimize handling cash, wipe down the counter between each customer at checkout, and to ask customers to use touchless payment options.)
What does this all mean to us shoppers? It means that you still need to practice safety measures and good hygiene as well as avoid high-touch surfaces—especially when you’re out in highly crowded places like grocery stores. And, the most important precautions are still
- Keeping a safe social distance from others at all times.
- Wearing a Mask when you are going to be in close proximity with others (like at the grocery store).
- Keep washing your hands frequently and be mindful of touching your face.
However, you can let go of some of the anxiety around wiping down your groceries—not only is it unnecessary, but it can also be dangerous.
The FDA shared tips on what is important to keep in mind the next time you need to get groceries:
- Carry your own wipes, or use one provided by the store to wipe down and disinfect the handles of the shopping cart or basket. Shopping cart handles are one of those high-volume touch surfaces they’re warning you about.
- Prepare a shopping list in advance to help keep you focused and minimize your time spent shopping.
- Go during hours when fewer people will be there.
- Wear a face covering or mask while you are in the store.
- Practice social distancing while shopping.
- Use hand sanitizer after leaving any store – keep some wipes in your car, or a small container in your purse for such occasions.
- Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds when you return home and again after you put away your groceries.
The CDC adds that you can further protect yourself from the coronavirus by “limiting visiting the grocery store, or other stores selling household essentials, in person. In general, the more closely you interact with others, and the longer that interaction, the higher the risk of COVID-19 spread. Order groceries and other items online for home delivery or curbside pickup (if possible) or check with your local grocery store to see if pre-order or drive-up options are available.”
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