September 2020 Update: As part of it’s “Six Months In” series reflecting on what we’ve learned about COVID-19, Dana Smith advises we should no longer worry too much about disinfecting surfaces or groceries – but be vigilant about your mask. Read more at Medium – The Most Likely Way You’ll Get Infected With Covid-19
— Original Article Below —
Coming into contact with another person who is infected with the novel coronavirus is still the biggest risk we face when out shopping at the supermarket. It has also been confirmed that you can also pick up the virus from a surface that has been contaminated as long as 72 hours earlier if you then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.
So the best thing you can do when you’re at the supermarket is to stay as far from others as possible and not touch your face.
Also, carry hand sanitiser with you so that you can wipe down your shopping trolley or basket, and if you happen to have an emergency itch, you can disinfect your hands before scratching it.
Using contactless payment is also a great way to keep your hands off money, which changes hands often.
When you get home, the first thing you should do is wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds and then wash them again after handling any packaging.
If you manage to get a slot, home delivery is considered to be less of a risk than going to a physical supermarket.
Packaging – is it a risk?
How about when you get back home – are you just putting bags of virus-ridden groceries inside your cupboards? Possibly.
But according to the World Health Organisation, the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved around and exposed to different conditions and temperatures is very low.
If you’re feeling anxious about the possibility, you can use antibacterial wipes on tins and packages and wash all produce with warm water for 20 seconds (but don’t use products containing any chemicals to clean fruit and veg).
Also throw out disposable packaging and wash reusable shopping bags after every use.
Wiping down countertops and other surfaces after you’ve put away your groceries is always a good idea. And then wash your hands again.
If you want to really amp up your precautions, a physician in Michigan has made a video about using the “sterile technique” in order to protect yourself from bringing the virus into your home with food products:
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