Getting ready to check out your cart? Before you do, check out this quick guide on how to disinfect groceries and receiving packages safely during the pandemic.
What you can read in this article?
- Can you get Covid-19 from your delivered package?
- How to disinfect groceries, mail and packages during the pandemic
- How to receive your delivered package safely
When the pandemic started, my family was so scared of contracting the virus that we would, as much as possible, limit ourselves from going out. Like a lot of middle-income families, we bought groceries online and had it delivered to us.
Every time we would receive the packages, I would spray a disinfectant on the paper bags, lay newspapers on the table and disinfect every single one of the grocery items before putting them in the pantry.
After I wiped it with a cloth soaked in disinfecting solution, I would wipe it again using a cloth that was soaked in water. At one point, I even wore gloves while doing the whole disinfecting routine. Was it a bit much? Maybe.
Online buying during the pandemic
Saying that this pandemic changed the way we live is probably an understatement. From how our children go to school, to staying indoors and canceling social gatherings, even how we buy our groceries.
Pre-pandemic, buying needs online and having them delivered to our doorstep seemed like a luxury. Now, it somehow feels like a necessity since we want to limit our exposure to other people.
In this day and age, almost everything is online. Need to restock your pantry? Groceries can be delivered on the same day. Craving for your favorite food? You can order online and have the rider bring it to you within an hour.
But we can never be too careful. How can we ensure that the packages we receive are safe and virus-free?
Can you get Covid-19 from handling deliveries and packages?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO), the risk for transmission of the Covid-19 virus in mails and packages are very low.
Still, WHO says that in addition to person-to-person contact, you can still contract the virus by touching contaminated surfaces and then touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
According to a recent study in the New England Journal of Medicine, the virus was detectable on plastic and stainless steel for up to 3 days, and on cardboard for up to 24 hours.
In addition to this, while large companies do mandatory swab testing for their employees, especially the frontliners, some independent contractors or commonly known as “riders” still report to work despite having contracted the virus.
So to be sure, it’s still better to learn how to properly handle and disinfect groceries, mail, and other packages before using them and bringing them inside your house.
Image from Pexels
How to disinfect groceries, mail, and other packages safely
If you can refrain from going out and you can do your business (grocery shopping, paying bills, buying necessities) online, that’s very good.
You can also opt to pay for these packages online instead of cash-on-delivery to reduce the exposure and transfer of the virus.
To reduce the risk of acquiring Covid-19 or other infectious diseases, one thing you should know is the proper way of handling and disinfecting the deliveries you receive.
Let’s start with the groceries.
How to disinfect groceries
If you have a safe space outside of your house (in your garage) and there are no food items that can go bad or spoiled, you can leave the grocery bags out for at least a day before bringing them inside the house. However, if that is not an option, make sure to disinfect your groceries before bringing them inside.
Dr. Jeffrey VanWingen, a family physician practicing in Grand Rapids, Michigan, shared about the “sterile technique” on how to disinfect groceries on his YouTube video.
Here are some guidelines and reminders that you need to remember when disinfecting or putting away your groceries:
- Using a disinfectant, spray it on a clean cloth or rag and wipe it on the grocery bags and boxes before bringing them inside. Better yet, discard of the paper or plastic packaging and bring only the grocery items inside the house.
- Designate a disinfecting or cleaning station in your home. Wipe or sanitize your countertop or table with disinfecting wipes or a cloth with soap and water before putting the groceries on top of it. You may also want to use an old newspaper to put the unclean groceries on.
- Wipe down all packaging with a disinfectant before putting your groceries away. You can also discard the packaging (like cereal boxes or pasta) and transfer the food to a clean bag or container.
- For fruits and vegetables, you can wash and rub them in plain, running water.
- Remember to wash your hands and sanitize your countertop again after disinfecting the groceries.
Handling food deliveries
Since there is no known evidence of Covid-19 being transmitted through food, it’s safe to say that food deliveries are still the safer option (as opposed to physically going to the restaurant) if you’re craving your favorite dish from a restaurant.
Besides, with the stress we’re having, we need a dose of our favorite drink to cheer us up.
However, you still need to be cautious in handling the food packaging. Here are some things you need to remember when receiving your delivered food:
- Always maintain a safe distance from the rider/delivery person.
- Wash your hands before and after receiving your food.
- Sanitize the table or countertop where you will be putting the food.
- Remove prepared foods from containers, and dispose of them immediately. Transfer the food to a clean plate.
- Wash your hands after handling all foods and before eating.
- If you have the option to pay online, that’s better. If you want to give a tip to your rider, make sure to keep your distance and wash your hands after giving the money.
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Cleaning your bills and coins
You already know that it’s good to disinfect grocery items and sanitize high-touch areas like doorknobs and switches. But one thing you’re often forgetting about is the paper bills and coins that you get from the delivery man, and also your credit card (if you choose to pay via credit card on delivery).
While paying for your items online is your safest best, using real money is unavoidable sometimes. So how do you disinfect your money bills and coins?
According to Martha Stewart.com, paper bills can be washed in the gentle cycle of your washing machine using cold water. However, if you’re not comfortable with the idea of putting your hard-earned 1,000-peso bill in the wash, you can just opt to lightly spray it with a disinfectant and leave it (in a safe and secure place) to dry for at least 24 hours before putting it back in your wallet.
Coins are easy to clean with some common household ingredients like white vinegar, water and salt. Mix 1/4 cup of vinegar, one cup of water, and one teaspoon of salt, then toss coins in and let soak for at least an hour. Rinse clean, then let dry.
For your credit cards, isopropyl alcohol is key. “Just add undiluted alcohol to a spray bottle, spray your cards, and wipe dry with a microfiber cloth,” said Angela Bell of Grove Collaborative, a personal and home cleaning company in the United States. Refrain from using hand sanitizers as the ingredients that are used to moisturize hands can lead to residue build-up and damage your card.
Handling and accepting packages
Image from Pixabay
When it comes to other packages that are not perishable like food, here are the things that you need to remember:
- Designate a delivery zone outside your house. Maybe it’s a crate or a mat with a sign for delivery workers. The delivery guy can put the package on the crate instead of handing it to you. You can also put your payment there along with the tip.
- Quickly wipe the box or package with a rag soaked in disinfectant before bringing it inside. Or, open the box outside and discard the packaging.
- Designate a particular surface where you open packages, if you choose to do it inside. Wipe down the next layer of plastic or box with sanitizer before putting the item away or using it.
- Keep a safe distance from the delivery guy and wear your face mask at all times when receiving the package.
- Remember: Don’t touch your face with your hands until you’ve washed your hands.
- As a safety precaution, you can leave your mail and packages untouched (in a secure place) for at least 24 hours.
Source:
Healthline, NBC News, Cleveland.com
