It's best to stay at home during the coronaviruses outbreak to avoid contracting it or spreading it to others.Sometimes you have to leave your home to get groceries.Even if you venture out to get food and supplies, there are steps you can take to keep yourself safe.
Step 1: If you can, visit your grocery store during off-peak hours.
On the weekends and after people have left work, a grocery store is usually the busiest.You can visit the store in the morning, lunchtime or late at night.The peak hours of your local grocery store may change due to a lot of people off work.It may be best to wait for another time if you arrive at the store and it's crowded.If you have to shop during peak hours, try to keep as much distance between yourself and others as possible.Many grocery stores limit how many people can enter at a time so you don't have to worry about packing the store.
Step 2: If you're elderly or at-risk, check if there are special shopping hours.
Many stores have set aside a special time for older shoppers who may be at a higher risk during the coronaviruses outbreak.If you're at least 65 years old and have one or more conditions that increase your risk, call your local grocery stores or check online to see if this might be an option for you.The first thing in the morning is these special shopping hours.If the store is stocked overnight, you will have a better chance of finding what you need.
Step 3: If you live with someone who is sick, don't go out.
If you experience flu-like symptoms, stay at home for 14 days to avoid spreading the illness to others.If you're caring for someone who's sick, you should stay at home as well.If you still need groceries, you can have them delivered to your home.You can either use a third-party delivery service like Shipt or use companies like Stop and Shop that offer grocery delivery.
Step 4: If you can, look for less-crowded stores.
If you have to shop during peak hours, it might be a good idea to drive a little further out of your way to a store with less foot traffic.If you go to a local discount grocery store that's off the beaten path, you won't have to navigate around a lot of people, instead of the well-known chain in the middle of town.The number of customers in a store can change at any time.When you arrive at the store, look around to see how crowded it is, and consider visiting another shop if that one has a lot of people.Do you know if any stores in your area limit how many guests can enter at a time?Some grocery stores only allow a small number of shoppers in at a time so it's easier for guests to social distance.
Step 5: Try not to go to the store a lot.
Make a list of everything you'll need to serve at least a week's worth of meals.You will need household supplies, personal care items, snacks, and drinks for the week.You won't have to return to the store for another week if you get everything you need at once.Don't take more than you need.It will be hard for someone else to feed their family if they are overstocked during this time.
Step 6: If you can, go to the store by yourself.
People who go into the store with you are more likely to come into contact with coronaviruses.If you can, make arrangements so that you don't have to take your children or other family members to the store.It is possible to go shopping after your partner comes home from work.It's important for your children to keep their hands to themselves when you take them to the store if you don't have any other options.Sanitize the cart thoroughly if they'll be riding in it, and wipe their hands down frequently throughout the trip.
Step 7: Before and after you shop, wash your hands with soap and water.
If you have any germs on your hands, you won't be able to spread them to others.If you come into contact with germs at the store, washing your hands as soon as you get home will help.
Step 8: When you leave your house, wear a mask.
When you're in public, wear a cloth mask to help stop the transmission of this disease.If you sneeze or cough, the droplets will be contained.If you have fabric on hand, make your own mask out of it.
Step 9: If you need to use wipes, wipe down your cart.
If you can't avoid using a regular shopping cart, make sure to wipe the handles with a sanitizing wipe or paper towel.Most sanitizers need to stay wet for 3-6 minutes in order to kill any germs on the surface you're cleaning, so use a generous amount, and don't wipe the handle dry.If you want to know how long your product needs to sit to be effective, read the label.It's a good idea to bring some with you even if your store doesn't have spray or wipes.
Step 10: Stay away from other shoppers.
It can be difficult to maintain the recommended distance when you're in a grocery store, but do your best to give other shoppers a wide berth.If you notice that an aisle already has several people, you can either go over to the next aisle or double back when the first aisle clears.It might take a little longer to shop this way, but remember, you're doing this for your safety, as well as the safety of everyone else.It's important to keep a safe distance from the person who checks you out.
Step 11: If you have to, don't touch anything.
It's important to know how long coronaviruses can live on a surface.It is possible to contract coronaviruses by touching an object that was previously handled by someone with the virus.Limit how many items you touch in the store to avoid picking up germs.If you're shopping for produce, you might look at all of the apples, then choose one that looks best, as opposed to picking up each apple and looking at it closely.When you get home, wash your produce with water.You shouldn't wash your produce with soap or bleach because it can make you or your loved ones sick.
Step 12: Sanitize your hands often.
To make sure you don't pick up any germs while you're shopping, you should wash your hands thoroughly before and after you leave the store.
Step 13: You shouldn't touch your face while shopping.
If you come into contact with coronaviruses, you're not likely to get sick unless you transfer it to your eyes, nose, or mouth.You must not touch your face while you're shopping, even if you wear gloves.It's a good practice to work on even though it can be hard.It's important when you're out in a public place because you might be more at risk of coming into contact with coronaviruses.
Step 14: If you can, use a payment method that uses a magnetic stripe.
To avoid spreading germs during a cash or credit card transaction, look into whether your grocery store accepts any forms of payment that don't require you to touch a keypad or grab a handful of change.Point-of-sale systems have a type of technology that allows you to wave your card over a card reader in order to pay.Mobile payments may be accepted at the register at some places.
Step 15: After unpacking your groceries, wash your hands.
You can never be too careful if you pick up coronaviruses from contaminated packaging.Take your groceries out of the bags and put them away when you get home.For 20 seconds, wash your hands with soap and water.Before you put the containers away, make sure to wipe the outside of them with a sanitizing wipe.It's a good idea to throw out or recycle any plastic bags you get from the grocery store during the outbreak.Don't worry about contracting the illness from food or packaging.The risk of contracting the coronaviruses is very low.
Step 16: Curbside pickup is available.
Walmart and Target have apps that allow you to order groceries online.When you pull into the designated area at the grocery store, someone will load up your groceries for you.You won't have to go to the store.It may be difficult to schedule your order because of the increased demand.When a window should open, keep checking back.
Step 17: If you want your groceries delivered to you, use a grocery delivery service.
Depending on where you live, you may be able to have your groceries delivered through either a third-party delivery app or a grocery store's individual delivery service.The person delivering your items should leave them on your doorstep.Wait for them to move at least 6 ft away, then bring your groceries in.If delivery is available in your area, check with services like Walmart Grocery Delivery.Delivery times tend to get booked up quickly during the coronaviruses outbreak.When you find an open delivery window that works for you, check back frequently.
Step 18: .
CSAs, short for Community Supported Agriculture, are organized by local farms so that you pay a set amount in advance and then get a delivery of fresh produce, directly from the farm, every week.They deliver whatever is in season from their farm, but some of them also have the option to add extras, like eggs, or even, rarely, some staple supplies.It is also a way to support local agriculture during a disruption to the supply chain.
Step 19: To stock up on basics, order from local wholesalers.
Talk to your family and friends to find out if there are any wholesalers or restaurant suppliers in your area who are selling their products to the public.There are restaurants near you who are offering their stock at a reduced price in order to make some extra money during the outbreak.It is possible to find bulk items at an affordable price, and many are offering curbside pickup.You can order supplies like ground beef, chicken, fish, eggs, milk, and cheese from a supplier.It is not certain that this will be cheaper than buying your goods from a grocery store.It can be a good alternative if you're having trouble finding items you need, and it can keep you from going inside a store.