Just a few weeks ago, shopping trips were commonplace, not infrequent outings for basic necessities. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson used terms such as “essential” and “as few as possible” in his speech, referring to the measures to be taken at the height of the coronavirus epidemic. He also recommended using home delivery services whenever possible. But how do you do that without endangering your health? And how can you go shopping safely?
The infection spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes and droplets containing the virus are released into the air. Someone can breathe in these droplets while they are still in the air, or touch a surface where they have been deposited. So every time we go into a store and interact with other people, we are taking a risk. That’s why the infamous two-meter safe distance between people is so important, and the management of many British stores ensures that this rule is followed.
The number of people inside the supermarket is now also limited. You have to wait in line outside to get in. According to Professor Salli Blumfield of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, supermarkets are the perfect place for virus transmission. “A lot of people are touching and moving things, touching the conveyor belt at the checkout, pressing buttons on parking meters and bank terminals, taking paper receipts and then throwing them away. Not to mention the fact that people are in close proximity to each other,” says Blumfield.
Hundreds of hands touch the goods on the shelves. When you get home, it is better to disinfect each purchase. There are several ways to reduce risk: There is no evidence that the virus is transmitted through food. And it is most likely killed during cooking at high temperatures.
A number of UK supermarkets have set up self-service areas where you can disinfect shopping baskets or trolley handles.We explain quickly, simply, and clearly what happened, why it matters, and what happens next. The number of offers should remain: episodes. End of story. Podcast Advertising. The UK Food Standards Agency website provides recommendations on the temperature at which certain foods should be cooked. According to Professor Blumfield, the biggest threat comes from packaging that is touched by hundreds of hands. She recommends storing plastic and glass containers for 72 hours before use or wiping them with a bleach solution immediately. “Everything that is sold loose and passes through the hands of the seller should be thoroughly washed under running water and left to dry,” says the scientist.
How secure is home delivery? Home delivery is preferable to going to a store because at least you avoid contact with other shoppers. But the risk of infection from packaging or a courier remains. Food safety expert and blogger Lisa Akerli suggests posting a note on the front door asking the courier to leave packages under the door, call, and step back to a safe distance.
It is better to ask couriers to leave packages under the door. And what about volunteer groups that have taken on the responsibility of caring for the sick and elderly? The same advice applies: do not contact those you care for, and for them, treat the purchases they bring in with a disinfectant that neutralizes the virus in one minute. “There are no more risk factors in a home delivery from a shop than there are in a visit from your volunteer assistant,” says Professor Alison Sinclair, a virologist at the University of Sussex. Some experts also recommend using plastic bags for shopping only once during the pandemic.
The Kebabish Grill restaurant in Glasgow is currently experiencing a high volume of orders, as customers are confident in the high hygiene standards of this establishment’s kitchen. After restaurants were forced to close, many turned to takeout. Network restaurants with a good reputation and other licensed establishments will not allow themselves to violate quality and hygiene standards, so the risks for customers ordering food from them are minimal. As for containers used to package food, the contents should be immediately transferred to a plate, the container discarded, and hands washed thoroughly, advises Sally Bloomfield of the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Under the current circumstances, it is better to order hot food made with fresh ingredients rather than cold food or food with raw ingredients. “For example, if you are very concerned about the safety of takeout food, you can microwave the pizza for a few minutes,” Blumfield suggests.