Remember when we could go grocery shopping on a whim? Maybe we didn’t even need anything, but we wanted to buy a bag of chips and some ice-cream. Now that we’re in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us are confused about when, where, and how we should do our groceries.
Despite the social distancing measures, it’s still something we need to do, and unfortunately, this once simple task can bring us in contact with a lot of people and increase the risk of transmission.
So how do we stay safe? Here are our tips:
Minimize the Number of Trips
Every time you go to the grocery store, you have to share a limited enclosed space with lots of other people. Avoiding peak hours doesn’t work as well as you’d think when everyone else is also trying to avoid peak hours. What you can do instead is limit your trips to once every week or every two weeks.
When you go, buy only what you need for this interval. Overstocking creates temporary shortages and all the consequences that come with it. Many stores also offer delivery options.
Wear a Mask
The CDC recommends wearing a mask or face covering whenever you go to a grocery store. The coronavirus spreads from person to person through respiratory droplets, so a mask can protect others from you and vice versa, which is why so many stores now require their shoppers to wear one. You can also find reusable face-masks such as organic cotton face mask blue that you can wash in the washing machine.
Keep in mind that people can carry the virus without showing any symptoms. Additionally, wearing a mask serves as a helpful reminder to avoid touching your face.
Shop Quickly and Efficiently
Once you’re at the store, you’ll want to get your groceries and leave as quickly as possible to limit the risk of infection. It’s best to bring a list so you know what items you’re looking for and you don’t forget anything and have to come back. If you’re used to keeping your shopping list on your phone, you may want to consider switching to a traditional paper list or cleaning your phone with sanitary wipes.
Generally, you’ll want to touch only what you intend to buy. Now is not a good time to peruse the aisles and dig through clearance bins.
Bring Hand Sanitizer
Many stores provide their shoppers with hand sanitizer and wipes, but it’s better to bring your own, just in case. You’ll need it to sanitize the handle of your cart and your hands after you finish shopping, and you’re ready to get back into your car. Once again, avoid using your cell phone without cleaning it first since.
When you get home, you’ll want to wash your hands before you unpack. In case you use reusable shopping bags, you should wash them in the washing machine.
Practice Social Distancing Inside the Store
While you’re inside the store, you’ll want to stay away from busy aisles as much as possible and keep a distance of at least 6 feet from the other shoppers and store employees. It’s also better to shop alone if you can. You may be used to shopping with the entire family, but this means that you’re bringing in more people to an enclosed space. If you don’t need someone to help you with the groceries, it’s better to go alone and take turns with other family members.
