Safe Grocery Shopping
Shopping for food is an essential activity. You can go to the store, but you want to do it safely and limit your trips. Please, if you need extra support going to the grocery store, talk with your Personal Agent to find out if someone can shop for you.
Guidelines on how to shop safely have shifted; scientists learn more and then they update us with better information. Going to the store can increase your chances of getting the virus. Why? Simply put, you are entering a place where many people are and that means you have a higher chance of coming into contact with someone that has the virus.
A lot of people work and shop in grocery stores. “Many people worry about the possibility of picking up the Coronavirus from things like grocery store conveyor belts or cereal boxes. But every expert NPR spoke with agrees that the biggest risk when it comes to groceries is being inside the store itself with other people who may be infected.” - NPR
Many stores are doing what they can to make your shopping experience more safe:
Limiting the number of people in the store at one time to allow for social distancing
Wiping down all high-touch surface areas with disinfectant: grocery carts, shelves and check-out areas
Staff wear masks
Protective shields are used by cashiers to create a barrier between you and them at the check-out
Just like stores, you can take steps to increase your shopping safety:
1) Before shopping
Decide what you need. Plan your meals. Make a list. Doing this will help you limit your trips to the store. Experts say to try and go to the store once every 2 weeks if possible.
Decide who will shop. Please stay home if you are sick, don’t feel good, or have health concerns. If possible only have one person in your household go to the store. If you need help with shopping contact your PA.
Decide where you will shop. When possible you may want to shop online. You can now use your SNAP benefits online. Some stores will deliver food to your home. Some stores will put your order together and have it ready for you to pick up at the store; when you get to the store the clerk brings your groceries out to your car. Ask your PA or support provider for help if you are not sure where and how to shop.
Decide where you will place your groceries. You will need counter space or a special area to put your groceries on once you get home.
2) At the store
Print out or download this checklist to your smartphone, tablet or computer to help you track your safe shopping steps before, during, and after you go to the store.
Wear a face covering. The CDC is advising that everyone do this. Read our post on wearing face coverings.
Keep your distance. Stay at least 6 feet away from other people. Before you go down an aisle in the store make sure there are not many other people in it.
Bring hand sanitizer. Use hand sanitizer often: especially before you enter the store and again when you leave. Use it before getting onto the bus or into your car.
Bring disinfectant wipes. Wipe down your shopping cart or basket with wipes before and after use.
Don’t touch your face or face mask.
Don’t bring reusable bags. A lot of stores are not allowing reusable bags to protect the store employees.
It is not recommended to wear gloves. Gloves carry germs just like our hands do. Sanitize or wash your hands often.
3) When you get home
Bring your groceries inside. Put groceries on a surface you can easily sanitize after you are done putting everything away.
Wash your hands. Wash for at least 20 seconds with soap and water.
You do not need to wash all your groceries. Most experts agree that this is no longer necessary, but you can wipe down plastic containers or food cartons if you would like to sanitize them before putting them away. You DO need to rinse your fruit with water for at least 20 seconds before eating it. Don’t use soaps or other cleaners on fresh food.
Put your groceries away.
Throw away or recycle grocery bags.
Sanitize your surface areas. Once you have put all of your groceries away, wipe down your counter and surface areas where you had your grocery bags.
Wash your hands.
“Time is on your side. Recent studies have shown that SARS-CoV-2 [COVID-19] may remain infectious on surfaces or objects for up to 72 hours, but most virus on the surface of common materials becomes inactive (noninfectious) after the first 24 hours. There is limited evidence that virus particles on those products transmit disease. Virus on the surface of groceries will become inactivated over time after groceries are put away. The inner contents of sealed containers are unlikely to be contaminated.”