We break down precautions you should take
while grocery shopping during the novel coronavirus crisis.
Jozelyn Escobedo (WFAA) Published: 12:06 PM CDT March 26, 2020 Updated: 12:29 PM CDT March 26, 2020
While the majority of North Texas remains
under some variation of a “stay-at-home” order, grocery shopping is still
allowed.
If you are unable to visit the grocery store,
experts say getting your groceries delivered is a great way to still get items
you need. If you do head to the store, you’ll want to follow several
precautions while you’re there and even when you get home.
Here is a breakdown of how to navigate grocery
shopping during the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Safety tips at the grocery store
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
says you do not need to wear a face mask to the grocery store.
Instead, try to limit your trips and stay home
if you are sick. If you do go to the store, following these preventive
measures recommended by the CDC:
·
Wash your hands often
with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If you don't have access to soap
and water use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
·
Cover your coughs and
sneezes.
·
Avoid touching your
eyes, nose, mouth with unwashed hands.
·
Practice social
distancing by staying 6 feet apart from other shoppers.
·
Use disinfecting wipes
to wipe down your grocery cart.
Which pantry items should I buy?
The Academy of Nutrition and
Dietetics recommends keeping the following items stocked in
your pantry:
·
Dried or canned beans,
peas and lentils (such as black, garbanzo, kidney, white and pinto beans;
green, yellow or split peas and lentils)
·
Canned vegetables with
no added salt (such as tomatoes, green beans, and corn)
·
Dried or canned fruit
in 100% fruit juice
·
Whole grains (such as
brown rice, quinoa, oats, millet, and whole-wheat pasta)
·
Pouches or canned fish
and chicken
·
Nuts, seeds, and nut
butters
·
Olive, canola or other
vegetable oils
·
Dried herbs and spices
Frozen Foods
·
Vegetables (such as
broccoli, cauliflower, carrots, and brussels sprouts)
·
Fruit (such as berries
and cherries )
·
Whole wheat pizza
dough
·
Poultry
·
Seafood
Good
Morning America also shared a list of foods to buy during your run to the
grocery store. Click here to read
the full story.
Do I need to clean my groceries when I get
home?
According to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention, there is no evidence to support the transmission of COVID-19
associated with food.
Experts, however, still suggest throwing out disposable
bags, wiping down your counters and washing your hands to be safe.
The New York Times interviewed
Dr. Daniel Winetsky, an infectious diseases fellow at Columbia
University Irving Medical Center about best practices when handling groceries.
When asked if people should wipe down jars and
plastic containers, Winetsky said contamination from jars and plastic
containers is not a big risk.
When it comes to unpacking produce, Dr.
Elizabeth Eckstrom, professor and chief of geriatrics at Oregon Health &
Science University told the Times that people should wash raw
produce with an organic soap specifically for vegetables or any natural dish
soap.
“I am not wiping everything down, but I am
carefully washing my hands after touching these grocery items,” Dr. Eckstrom
said. “Cooking does kill the virus, but any fresh produce that is eaten raw
should be carefully washed.”
And of course, wash your hands once you are
done handling any and all grocery items.
Shopping at local pantries
If going to the grocery store is something
you're trying to avoid altogether, you can try shopping at your favorite
restaurant. Several restaurants around Dallas-Fort Worth have opened pantries
and are selling fresh produce and other household items.
For example, Oddfellows in the Bishop Arts District opened
an outdoor market that has fresh items that might be out of stock at grocery
stores.
Get your groceries delivered
And if you prefer to stay home, many stores are
offering "contactless" delivery options. This means you can get your
groceries dropped off right in front of your door.
Dr. Simone Wildes, an infectious disease
specialist, told ABC News that
one of the safest things to do right now is "not to make contact with the
delivery person" during the handoff.
Instead, wait until the person leaves and then
pick-up your items from your door.
James Rogers, the director of Food Safety
Research and Testing for Consumer Reports, told Good Morning America that
the key to navigating grocery delivery apps is to plan ahead. Another friendly
suggestion is to tip the person if the app allows it.
National store chains and apps such as InstaCart offer
delivery options but you can always try a local option, such
as Favor or Alto.
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