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www.thevillagenews.co.za
8 April 2020
How to grocery shop safely Writer Hedda Mittner
T
hirteen days into the national lockdown, many of us are starting to show symptoms of an ailment not quite as serious as COVID-19 but also starting with a ‘c’ – cabin fever. We are staying put, as we know we must, taking our dogs for walkies up and down the garden path, jogging on the spot or doing aerobic exercises in the lounge, and spending an inordinate amount of time in the kitchen, because doing nothing apparently makes one hungry all the time. It’s no wonder we think of going to the grocery store as a welcome respite from confinement, and a rare opportunity to get out of the house. Whilst doing our shopping it is even possible to imagine that life is still carrying on as normal. It would be a mistake, however, to fool yourself into thinking that popping into a store does not carry risks. It does. While health experts rate the risk of transmission through food and food packaging as relatively low, the bigger concern is person-to-person transmission in a space where you will come into contact with several people, without knowing who might be carrying the virus.
The golden rule is to go out as infrequently as possible and, when you absolutely have to go shopping for essentials, do it as efficiently as possible. Now is not the time to be dilly dallying about what you need, meandering up and down the aisles or catching up with the chatty neighbour you might bump into. Here are some handy tips: Plan ahead Don't wait until your kitchen cupboards and refrigerator are empty. This will allow you some flexibility, so if the store is crowded, you can turn away and come back another time. If stock is running low (e.g., no more bread), you won't have to panic – you can try again another day. Make a clear list Scrutinise your supplies and draw up a meal plan, prioritising items that will keep well and provide healthy and hearty options. When you’re in the store, only touch the items you’ve decided to buy (hopefully, others will do the same). Keep hand sanitiser in your car This will remind you to sanitise your hands before you drive off and as soon as you get back in the car. Take your own disinfecting wipes Wipe down all high-touch objects in the store such as the trolley and basket handles and fridge door handles. If you need to use an ATM or
card machine, wipe down the touch screen and buttons with your disinfecting wipes. Leave your handbag and phone at home Only take your card (in a ziplock bag), shopping list and shopping bag(s). This way there will be fewer items to sanitise when you get home. Wear a mask The Department of Health has now confirmed that wearing a cloth face mask can help to protect you from the transmission of respiratory droplets. Read more about the correct usage of masks on P 8. Practice social distancing Keep a distance of at least 1.5 metres from others at all times. If customers are crowding, especially in the check-out line, you can bring this to the attention of the shop manager or simply leave and return to do your shopping at another time when the shop is less busy.
shoes and shopping bags outside. Wash your hands thoroughly for 20 seconds and wipe down your car keys, your glasses, bank card and any other personal items you may have touched. Unpacking your groceries Disinfect the surface where you’ll be unpacking your groceries. Bring them inside and dispose of plastic or paper shopping bags or, if you are using reusable cloth bags, remember to launder them well every time after you’ve used them, and let them air-dry. Raw produce While cooking does kill the virus, any fresh produce that is eaten raw needs to be carefully washed with water (and a small amount of organic or natural soap, if you have). For firm produce, you can also use a clean vegetable brush.
Online shopping You could also try shopping online from retailers such as Pick n Pay, Checkers or Woolworths, but residents are reporting that available delivery slots often entail a long waiting period and the essentials you need may be out of stock.
Should you sanitise all packaging? Health experts seem to be in agreement that there is no firm evidence of COVOID-19 being transmitted through food or food packaging. However, if you prefer to err on the side of caution, use disinfectant wipes or a spray bottle with disinfectant to sanitise all the tins, jars, bottles, boxes, milk cartons, plastic containers etc. (including frozen foods).
Returning to your home When you get home, leave your
You could also remove any exterior boxes that may have been touched
by someone else in the store, such as biscuit or cereal boxes, and just keep the interior bag. These and other snacks such as chips or pretzels could also be decanted into reusable containers, and the exterior packaging discarded. After you’ve sanitised everything, pack your cleaned and dried groceries into the cupboard and again disinfect the surface you’ve been working on. Another suggestion I came across was to simply leave non-perishable goods in your car for a few days and wait for the virus to die out on its own before bringing them into the house. Wash your hands frequently The one thing that all health experts are in agreement on is the fact that you should wash your hands – often. Do it the minute you return home from the shops and in between performing the various tasks above. Have a shower After your shopping trip, and with the groceries safely packed away, you are now ready to strip off and have a relaxing shower. Following all these precautions is a stressful business, which is exactly why you don’t want to be doing this every other day. Plan carefully so that you don’t have to go out more than once a week.
