Best Practices: Grocery Shopping

4/15/2020 (Permalink)

Don't forget to thoroughly wash your produce.

Going to the grocery store today can feel daunting. Having to fully suit up to step out of your apartment is unlike anything we’ve ever experienced. For many of us we are unable to place grocery orders online due to the lack of slot times. So what do you do when you have to go into the grocery store?

First, make sure to bring a mask. If you are lucky enough to have a sewing machine, you can sew your own mask for you, friends and family. We have also been seeing creative masks from bandanas and scarves to Halloween masks and containers. Remember the mask is to protect others. We have to live everyday as if we already have COVID-19 to help protect others.

Gloves. While gloves are hard to come across, we need to remember to dispose of them properly. Gloves are not meant to be thrown on the pavement after being used. When taking off your gloves remember to do so following the correct directions. Remember to always immediately wash your hands after removing your gloves. While wearing gloves be mindful about not touching your face or phone. This is one of the ways to cross contaminate while wearing gloves.

While inside the grocery store be mindful of what you are touching. Being very specific about what you are buying cuts down on the amount of touching multiple items throughout the store you do not end up purchasing. We have to be mindful of the others who are also shopping within the store with us. Maintain a social distance from other customers at all times possible. Now is not the time to hoard food and toiletries; we need to remember that we are all in this together.

When you come home from the store, leave your shoes outside of your apartment. Your shoes can carry in tons of germs! This is probably a smart rule to practice in regards to living in NYC. Immediately wash your hands, un-bag your groceries, disinfect containers, and wash your produce. Using a vegetable brush is ideal, but if that is unavailable soaking your produce in three parts water and one part vinegar is extremely effective. Wipe down your phone, cards, keys, door handles, and countertops since these are areas that are high touch. Then change into your home clothes. Maybe they are not so different from the clothes you were just in, but they are clean from outside contaminations. Lastly, wash your hands again. 

Enjoy a night in because you just made it all the way to and from the grocery store. This is a task on its own without a pandemic especially in New York City. Time to congratulate yourself for accomplishing another task while keeping those around you safe! We are here for you New York and will continue to serve you until our city is clean.