Written by:Maria Alexandra Dida
Shopping Guide During the Pandemic: How to be effective and stay safe.
Lately, it's been more and more difficult to do the things that until now were trivial, especially when it comes to food and supplies. Invaded by a lot of information, with the new virus on sight, we are in desperate need of guides for almost everything.
BEFORE YOU GO SHOPPING:
Wash your hands. It may seem obvious but keeping our hands clean and also surrounding surfaces is the main weapon we have against the virus. Use soap and water and keep with you some alcohol-based sanitizer.
Prepare a list of things to buy, to avoid spending a long time in the supermarket
Buy responsibly. Think of many other people who are not at home because of work. They also need food and other things. Don’ t empty the shelves of supermarkets. Prepare a list of essential things you need to buy. This way you will spend less time in the store. Also, check the program of the supermarket where you are going to do your shopping. Many shops have changed their schedule during this period. Many stores may not have all the ingredients that you need. Don't worry, here you can find 89 recipes with just five ingredients. Avoid rush hour and crowded transportation and make sure you have with your wipes and disinfectant gel.
Should I wear gloves when I’ m doing my grocery?
A frequently asked question is related to gloves. It's not mandatory to wear gloves while you're doing grocery shopping. By wearing gloves, you may think you are extra protected but in fact, it's not that quite true. Let's think logically. These gloves are like an extra layer of skin that is meant to protect us. Normally when you’re at a store, we wash, wipe or disinfect our hands very often. Let's say every 15-30 minutes or every time we touch certain surfaces because we don't want to spread the virus or existing bacteria. How long does a shopping session last? About an hour. How often do we disinfect our gloves? Never (at least I didn't see a person disinfecting the gloves). And what are the chances of transferring from one surface to another?!
Should I wear a protective mask even if it is made at home?
Yes. If you don’t have a disposable protective mask, you can use one made at home. Why is it important? First of all, you protect yourself and you also protect others. How? We know that one of the main ways of spreading the virus is through those very small drops during a sneeze or cough. If you wear any type of mask, this will stop their spread to others. So it is good to wear a mask whenever you leave the house. Check out on youtube DIY videos on how to do your mask at home without any sewing machine. There are a lot of good videos out there and it's worth checking them out.
WHILE SHOPPING
Try not to touch the trolleys directly by hand if you have not cleaned the surface beforehand. It is good to know that the majority of supermarkets have a special place with disinfectant at the entrance. Keep a distance of at least 1 meter between you and the people nearby. Avoid the crowds of people gathered in the same place. Avoid paying with banknotes and opt for payment by card or phone. If, however, you need to pay cash, try to give the exact amount and if you receive banknotes, make sure you disinfect your hands as soon as you make the payment.
WHEN YOU GET BACK FROM SHOPPING
While a recent study showed that the virus can survive on surfaces like plastic and metal for up to three days and cardboard for up to 24 hours, you should know that you’re much more likely to catch the virus from person-to-person contact than from a surface. However, you must be responsible, especially if you are in a high-risk area.
THINGS TO KNOW
Wear the protective mask: only if you are sick or close to a sick person.The protective mask is not reusable and must also be replaced within 3-4 hours. Pets are not in danger, but be careful when you take them out for a walk. Avoid crowded areas. Take medicines only at the doctor's recommendation. Do not take antibiotics or antivirals unless your doctor has recommended this. If you do not feel well and you have flu-like symptoms (sore throat, muscle fatigue, dry cough), tell the medical services first. It is better not to go directly to overcrowded hospitals. Have in mind that seasonal flu and colds are common during this period. If you decide to go to the hospital you have to have the necessary protection measures.
Try to keep in touch with your friends and family. This helps you a lot, especially from a psychological point of view.
Follow us