Buy everything for the holidays and not get infected with coronavirus: an action plan
'20.12.2020'
Source: Life hacker
Simple rules to protect health during and after shopping tells Lifehacker.
What has changed since the beginning of the pandemic
If in the spring, at the beginning of the pandemic, it seemed to us that we needed to disinfect every jar and box we brought home, now it has become clear that this is not necessary.
After numerous studies, it turned out that the virus is primarily transmitted by airborne droplets through close contact with an infected person. And touching objects and surfaces is not at all as dangerous as previously thought. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been no cases of infection through food or packaging.
However, you should still avoid touching your face when in public. If someone sneezed, covering his mouth with his palm, then grabbed the doorknob in the store, and after a minute you touched this knob and immediately rubbed your eyes or nose, there is a chance to get infected. Wash your hands thoroughly when you get home, or disinfect them with an antiseptic if you need to touch your face earlier.
How to keep yourself safe while shopping
Remember: the more and longer you are in contact with people, the higher your risk of contracting coronavirus. There will be an especially large number of visitors in supermarkets and shopping centers before the New Year holidays, so it will increase further.
Try to visit such places less often, preferring to shop online. When you do need to go to a regular store, follow these simple guidelines.
On the subject: Twenty Important Facts Many Don't Know About Coronavirus Infection
Before leaving home
Make a shopping list in advance. Group products into categories so that you can immediately grab everything you need in each department, and not circle around the store.
Plan your route. For example, if you need to go to a large mall, think about the sequence in which you will enter different stores to spend as little time as possible.
If you are concerned about touching shopping baskets and carts in stores, bring your bags from home to store goods in them.
In the shop
- Disinfect your hands and put on a mask before entering.
- Keep your distance. If there are lines on the floor, stick to them.
- Try to shop when there are fewer customers in the store, such as early in the morning or late at night.
- If you are in a high-risk group, find out if the right store has dedicated hours for you and walk around that time.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.
- Whenever possible, only touch the items you are about to buy.
After return
Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water as soon as you get home and after unpacking your purchases.
Regularly clean and disinfect the kitchen surfaces on which you place purchased items. For this, both a store and a homemade antiseptic are suitable. Apply it to the surface and let it sit for at least one minute. Rinse off with water before cooking.
Wash reusable cloth bags after every shopping trip.
On the subject: How to tell a cold from a mild COVID-19
Do not use disinfectants containing chlorine and ammonia on cardboard or plastic packaging that are intended for use on hard surfaces.
Do not clean vegetables and fruits with bleach, antiseptic, alcohol, or other disinfectants. It is enough to wash them in running water. Rub hard vegetables such as potatoes and cucumbers with a brush, even if you do not eat them with the skin.
