Tips for safe shopping at supermarkets during the covid pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has overturned many daily habits, even to simply go shopping at the supermarket. Not a few are wondering, what should be considered when shopping? Does COVID-19 stick to the products you touch? Do you have to wash everything you buy?

"The worry to go shopping during a pandemic is not an exaggeration, because we also don't know where the virus is," said Professor dr. Herawati Sudoyo to Hello Sehat. Prof. Hera is a founding molecular biologist and senior researcher at the Eijkman Institute of Molecular Biology.

Is it safe to shop at the supermarket or to the market during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Before discussing it further, it should be noted that until now there is no evidence that COVID-19 is transmitted through food. COVID-19 is transmitted from person to person through droplets of saliva that contain virus particles when coughing, sneezing or talking.

Contaminated objects can transmit the virus when someone touches them. After touching it, the virus passes to his hands. If he touches his face, the virus can enter through his nose, mouth or eyes.

During a COVID-19 pandemic like this, people are advised to quarantine at home and minimize contact with other people. So before you decide to go shopping, consider a few things first.

Do you really need the items you are going to buy? If it's not an urgent need, hold on until you have a plan for shopping for the more important needs.

The following are safe tips that need to be considered when shopping at supermarkets or markets during COVID-19.

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1. Choose a shopping time that is safe from the risk of coming into contact with COVID-19

The greatest transmission of COVID-19 is person-to-person, so to be safer try shopping outside of peak hours. Choose a shopping time in the morning when the store just opens. This gives you the advantage that the shop may have recently been cleaned.

In addition, as much as possible, buy everything you need in one place. The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recommends buying enough daily necessities and groceries for at least one week's supply.

2. Pay attention when shopping at the store, supermarket, or market

To prevent the spread of COVID-19, supermarkets and some grocery stores have implemented precautions such as checking the body temperature of visitors who come, putting limits physical distancing on the shop floor, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces.

It's just that, there are still additional steps that you need to take to prevent the transmission of COVID-19 so that shopping is safer.

• Wear a mask when leaving the house in line with the government's and WHO's appeal. These recommendations are intended to prevent the spread of COVID-19 from people who are positive without symptoms.
• Bring hand sanitizer or antiseptic wet wipes. Wipe the handle of a shopping cart or trolley with a wet tissue as it is one of the things that many people touch.
• Choose your groceries faster than usual. Try not to touch items that are unnecessary or that you don't really intend to buy.
• Don't touch the face. When shopping try to be completely aware of not touching your face until you get home and wash your hands.
• Keep a distance during shopping with other people while shopping.

3. Clean up when I get home

When you get home, put down your shopping bags and wash your hands with soap. After that, put the groceries according to their place, in the refrigerator or in the cupboard. If necessary, wipe down any cans or groceries you have.

Prof. Hera suggests washing fruits and vegetables as usual with water and adding a special cleaning liquid for fruits and vegetables. He also added to buy fruit that has a skin so that the outside can be removed before eating.

To date, there is no evidence that the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes COVID-19 persists on the surface of fruits and vegetables. However, it's okay to wash it too so you feel safe. Feeling safe during the current pandemic is important to reduce stress.

Keep in mind that washing fruits and vegetables with soap for bathing is not allowed because the chemicals in soap can be inedible and harmful to digestion.

"At home everything can be controlled. Like what vegetables you want to eat. If you don't need raw, you can choose to cook it. It is certain that the virus dies, "explained Prof. Hera.

4. Wash or throw away shopping bags

After that is done, wash the shopping bags with soap and running water or throw them in the trash. Don't forget to wash your hands again with soap afterwards.

Pandemics have different impacts on everyday life. By knowing how to shop safely during COVID-19, you don't need to hesitate if there are items that require you to buy them at supermarkets or markets.