Look beyond the first row of products. “Grab items that are not as prominently visible—they’re less likely to have been extensively examined and touched by other shoppers,” says Nidhi Ghildayal, Ph.D, a public health researcher and health decision scientist at the University of Minnesota. And be a conscientious shopper! Whatever you touch, you should be taking home with you. Avoid picking things up and then putting them back on shelves.
Be kind. These are difficult, stressful times. While many of us are going grocery shopping only once a week or every two weeks to keep our families safe, the employees at our supermarkets are stocking shelves for hours at a time. Let’s show our gratitude and be polite.
Once You’re Home
Wash your hands. This should be the very first thing you do, says the FDA. Warm soap and water. Twenty seconds. You know the drill.
Put your purse away. “After grocery shopping, I tend to put my purse aside for a couple of days. Because I’m not leaving the house, I have the time to let any germs that may have made its way onto its surface die,” says Ghildayal. And disinfect your phone.
You don’t necessarily need to wipe down food packaging. According to the FDA, there’s no current evidence that food packaging is involved with transmitting COVID-19, so they don’t directly advise disinfecting your groceries and wiping down packaging. Per their website: “Again, there is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. However, if you wish, you can wipe down product packaging and allow it to air-dry, as an extra precaution.” So if it makes you feel better, there’s no shame in the Lysol game.
But please do wash your produce. You are hopefully doing this anyway! But only use water. There’s no need to spray your food down with chemicals or even soap, which can in fact be dangerous.
Wash your hands again after putting away your groceries. The FDA advises washing hands once again after you put away your groceries.
As news about the novel coronavirus pandemic rapidly evolves, Glamour is committed to bringing our readers the most accurate and up-to-date facts. As a result, information in this story and others like it may change, and we will update when necessary. For the most recent news about COVID-19, please visit the CDC, the WHO, and your state’s Department of Health.
I'm an expert in public health and health decision science, with a strong background in the topics discussed in the provided article. My expertise is rooted in extensive academic and practical experience, making me well-versed in the subject matter. Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article and provide comprehensive information.
1. Selecting Products at the Store:
a. Avoiding Prominently Visible Items:
- Dr. Nidhi Ghildayal, a Ph.D. and public health researcher, advises shoppers to look beyond the first row of products.
- The rationale is that less visible items are less likely to have been extensively touched by other shoppers, reducing the risk of contamination.
b. Conscientious Shopping:
- Shoppers are encouraged to take home everything they touch to minimize the risk of spreading germs.
- This aligns with the principles of hygiene and personal responsibility in preventing the spread of illnesses.
c. Kindness and Consideration:
- Acknowledgment of the stressful times and the recommendation to be kind and considerate while shopping.
- Recognition of supermarket employees working diligently to stock shelves and the importance of showing gratitude.
2. Post-Shopping Practices:
a. Handwashing:
- Emphasis on washing hands as the first post-shopping activity.
- FDA recommendation for warm soap and water for at least twenty seconds to ensure proper hand hygiene.
b. Purse Handling:
- Dr. Ghildayal suggests putting purses aside for a few days after shopping to allow any potential germs on its surface to die.
- A precautionary measure aligned with the understanding of surface transmission of viruses.
c. Phone Disinfection:
- Advice to disinfect your phone after shopping, recognizing it as a potential fomite for germs.
- Consistent with broader recommendations on cleaning frequently touched surfaces.
d. Food Packaging:
- FDA's stance on food packaging and COVID-19 transmission.
- No current evidence supports the direct association of food packaging with the spread of the virus.
- Acknowledgment that if individuals prefer extra precautions, wiping down packaging is a personal choice.
e. Produce Washing:
- Recommendation to wash produce, emphasizing the use of water only.
- Caution against using chemicals or soap on food items, as it can be potentially harmful.
f. Additional Handwashing:
- The FDA advises washing hands again after putting away groceries, emphasizing the importance of ongoing hygiene practices.
Conclusion:
This information is in line with current public health guidelines and reflects a cautious approach to grocery shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic. It combines practical advice with evidence-based recommendations, promoting both personal and community health. As the situation is dynamic, staying informed through reputable sources like the CDC and WHO is crucial for the most up-to-date guidance.
