Adulting involves some form of grocery shopping, and just as we thought we had it all figured out, lockdown has changed all the rules! Navigating the supermarket has become a potentially hazardous undertaking, here are some facts to ease your mind and curb those panic buying cravings! And the best tips to mitigate the hazards:
Firstly, the facts, always a good place to start!
- As of now, there’s no evidence of COVID-19 is transmitted through food. It has been explained (by Benjamin Chapman, a professor and food safety specialist at North Carolina State University), that because the mode of infection is primarily respiratory, the chance of getting COVID-19 from food is extremely low. “In fact, we don’t see evidence of any respiratory viruses being transmitted through food in the past,” he said.
- Don Schaffner, food science professor at Rutgers University has advised that if the coronavirus is present in your food, it will be destroyed with proper cooking.
- Since there’s no known transmission of COVID-19 through food, there is no one specific food that is higher risk or any that we should avoid buying in this situation.
- The coronavirus is spread through droplets entering your internal system. This is either done by someone coughing or sneezing directly onto you or you transferring a droplet left on a surface into your internal system yourself by not washing your hands and touching your face.
Ok, so with that out the way, what can you do to reduce your risk while going to the supermarket?
- One person per household. – Don’t bring extra people to do the groceries if you don’t need to.
- Wash your hands! – Before you go to the supermarket & immediately when you get home.
- Avoid touching your face! – Wear a fabric mask, a scarf or bandanna, even if it’s just to remind you to not touch!
- Wipe your trolley or basket handle down with an alcohol wipe.
- Keep 6 feet away from other people.
- Do one shop to last you two weeks to avoid multiple trips. – you can use the Lockdown Recipes shopping list to help you know what to buy.
- Wash your fresh produce before preparing it.
Main take-aways; keep calm, keep your distance, buy smart, and wash your hands!