How to avoid germs at the supermarket

Avoiding germs is always a good idea, but it’s especially important right now, as we battle another wave of the COVID-19 pandemic. “It used to be seen as a mundane weekly errand, but has become a task that requires more thought and preparation,” explains Dr Lisa Larkin. Read on for some refresher tips on how to shop for your groceries in as safe a manner as possible.

You might not be a morning person, but going to the grocery store bright and early when they’re just opening might be your best option. “By avoiding large groups of people, you decrease your risk of becoming infected, as the virus is mainly spread through close contact with other people,” says Dr Jonas Nilsen. In addition, many stores sanitise overnight, so the environment, in general, is less germy. Many stores are also offering special morning hours where only senior citizens are allowed to shop – call ahead to find out if your regular grocery store is offering these.

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Studies suggest that COVID-19 can live on surfaces for up to a few days, so wipe down the handles of shopping carts or baskets with a sanitising wipe. Some shops provide wipes, but not all do, especially during this time of shortages, so it’s best to bring your own. Dr Larkin also suggests bringing extra wipes for opening freezer and refrigerator door handles and sanitising your hands throughout the shopping experience.

One of the easiest ways to spread the virus is by touching a contaminated surface and then touching your face, eyes, nose, or mouth. This is a lot harder than it sounds, as a study published in the American Journal of Infection Control estimated that people touch their faces more than 20 times in a single hour.

Better yet, wearing a face mask is one of the most powerful steps we can take – along with keeping our hands clean and maintaining social distance – to quash the spread of coronavirus in our communities, says Andrew Pekosz, PhD, professor of molecular microbiology and immunology at the Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. At the supermarket, they not only provide you with a measure of protection from other infected people, but also protect others from you, if you have COVID and are asymptomatic or haven’t yet started to show symptoms.

As much as possible, try to maintain a safe, 1.5 metre distance from other shoppers. “This may be as simple as avoiding a crowded aisle and circling back a few minutes later,” says Dr Larkin.

As this can sometimes be challenging in a crowded supermarket, the additional protection of a face mask is always a wise measure.

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When possible, Dr James Elder, suggests using debit cards or other forms of electronic payment. “This will reduce the need to touch paper money or coins, which can potentially carry germs,” he says. If using electronic payments is not possible, he recommends cleaning hands immediately after touching cash or coins.

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After you’re done shopping and before you get in your car or grab your car keys or smartphone, use hand sanitiser – it’s the best way to clean your hands when water and soap are not available. Just be sure that the hand sanitiser contains at least 70 per cent alcohol, notes microbiologist, Dr Alex Berezow. “Use a healthy plop (not just a tiny drop), and be sure to rub it all over the back of your hands as well,” he says. “You should use enough sanitiser so that it doesn’t evaporate as you rub your hands for 10 to 15 seconds.”

Check to see if your supermarket will deliver or allow for an in-store pick-up. One of the best ways to reduce your risk is to avoid entering the store altogether, notes Dr Larkin. “Ask your delivery person to leave the groceries outside your door, or if picking up in the store parking lot, leave the trolley at your boot so you can load them without interacting directly,” she adds.

Dr Larkin recommends rinsing your produce just as you would normally to remove any soil or debris. “If you wish to wipe down jars, tins and bottles before putting away, you can do so with a disinfectant wipe,” she adds. “You should also wash your hands after handling any products during feed preparation to be extra cautious about avoiding contamination.”

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Source: RD.com