Order food during coronavirus, how to be safe?

Being at home is the right choice during the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19). Everything else just needs to be done online; one of them in ordering food. Using a food ordering service is an easy choice. It can keep us from the crowd for as long social distancing . However, how to keep food orders safe during the coronavirus outbreak?

Is it safe to order food during the coronavirus pandemic?

At a time of the coronavirus outbreak which requires high vigilance like now, it is only natural that we have questions related to many things. One of them is about the food delivery service that we use. Will the food we order be contaminated with coronavirus? Can COVID-19 be spread through food or message containers?

The good news is, the coronavirus is not transmitted through food. This was confirmed by the head of the American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Ian Williams as quoted by CNN.

"So far there is no evidence. COVID-19 is spread from person to person through saliva. Until now, there is no evidence that really shows (coronavirus) can be transmitted through food or food delivery services, "said Ian.

The American Food and Drug Administration (FDA) also confirmed that COVID-19 is not transmitted through food.

"There is currently no evidence food or food packaging can spread SARS-CoV-2. Unlike hepatitis A, which often makes people sick through contaminated food. "COVID-19 is transmitted through saliva, food crumbs are not known as a route of transmission of this virus," wrote the FDA on its website.

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Even if you eat food with a virus, there is no virus attached to the digestive tract, so ingesting the virus will not cause disease transmission. In other words, the digestive system will digest it and get rid of it.

Although COVID-19 is not transmitted through food packaging messages, the FDA reminds us to prioritize cleanliness. This appeal is addressed to all people who play a role in the processing to delivery of food.

This includes cleaning surfaces of objects and washing hands regularly. This is of course to reduce the potential risk to a minimum.

“Always remember the importance of following the four main steps of food safety—clean, separate, cooked, or frozen—to prevent disease transmission through food poisoning, "writes the FDA on its website.

Be aware of other potential infections

Apparently not from food alone. Experts say there is a potential for transmission from food wrappers or containers that need to be watched out.

There is a risk of transmission of the coronavirus stuck to packaging when ordering food. For example, if the officer who prepared it was infected with COVID-19 and then his saliva hit the food wrap, the virus could remain alive in the package and could move into the hands of the orderer.

But don't worry, the risk is very small and can be prevented. In essence, experts say the potential for COVID-19 transmission is very low in packages or food delivery packages.

"I want to make it clear that food or packages can carry the virus, but the risk of transmission is very low," said Benjamin Chapman, a professor of food safety at the University of North Carolina. "Really, the risk is very low."

"While it is possible that the virus sticks (to food delivery packages) we have no indication that this is a risk factor for contracting COVID-19 or other respiratory diseases," Chapman said. "Even with millions of cases of influenza each year, packaging is not something we have a problem with," he explained.

Even though the potential is very small, it does not mean that food messages when coronavirus are not at all risk. That's why medical experts always remind you to wash your hands with soap because soap can kill viruses that stick to your hands and don't touch your face.

"If you are concerned, always wash your hands after receiving anything that may be contaminated," said Don Schaffner, a food science specialist who specializes in microbial risk, hand washing, and cross-contamination.

Prevent the spread of coronavirus during food orders

In a pandemic like this, the slightest risk can still be prevented by taking precautions. Experts recommend several preventive ways to minimize the potential for transmission of COVID-19 from food delivery services.

When taking a food order package from a delivery service, ask to put the food package on the terrace of the house. Don't forget to prepare the exact amount when paying for an order or use a non-cash transaction. This method is to avoid direct contact of the introduction and the customer.

Avoiding direct contact with food delivery service employees not only protects the orderer, but also protects the food delivery service sender.

"So there is no need to have direct contact. This method may sound extreme, but in this way we can minimize the risk, "Dr. Stephen Morse, an epidemiologist, provides advice.

After that remove the food from its packaging and dispose of the packaging properly. Better to use our own cutlery that we have kept clean.

Then after throwing away the packaging, wash your hands immediately with soap and water or hand sanitizer containing alcohol. That way, we can prevent transmission of coronavirus when ordering food.