In the midst of the global pandemic related to COVID-19, there can be some fear and worry regarding things that were once commonplace for us. Questions about masks, what surfaces can the virus live on, and who is at risk are all on our mind. Thankfully, there is a video going viral that has some SUPER useful tips for us on how to shop safely and reduce the risk for others!

This doctor has some useful tips for us to follow when we visit the grocery store!

Dr. Jeffery VanWingen recently created a video on how they can do a common practice safely. Grocery shopping is the only reason people are leaving the house in some areas. There can be a lot of fear associated with it so thankfully these tips can help alleviate this fear and put some action in our hands!

Make a list before you go to the store!

More than just stopping you from getting snacks when shopping hungry (something I am ALWAYS guilt of), this does a few things that can help your trip be safer. The first thing is that it allows you to spend less time in the store as a whole. With less time spent wandering the store, there is less risk for contamination. The second thing this does is it stops you from touching things needlessly. If you know what you are going in for you won’t pick up items to look at them, again decreasing the risk of exposure. Simply make a list on your phone or notepad and bring it with you!

Wiping down the cart is a great step to take!

You have arrived. Now you must spend some time with other people, something that most people don’t enjoy, virus or not! Once you step in the doors, the first thing you should do is wipe down a shopping cart. Many stores are currently providing cleaning supplies, but you can bring wipes with you just in case. This will help reduce the risk of exposure by cleaning a very often touched surface.

Shop for two weeks’ worth of groceries.

The fewer trips you can take to public areas, the better. By shopping is a way that lets you buy for two weeks at a time you can reduce the amount of time you spend at the store. Buy some items in bulk and freeze some other items that you will use later. DO NOT, however, “stock up” unnecessarily. This is a harmful behavior that is negatively impacting a lot of people. Don’t be that person.

Don’t bring food in right away.

If you have a garage, this could be perfect for you. Don’t bring groceries right inside after you get home. Other than cold and perishable items, leave the other items in your garage for three days, drastically reducing the ability for the virus to survive on that surface for that long.

Wipe down the packages.

Certain packaging materials allow the virus to survive for longer than others. An easy way to be safe is to take the extra step of wiping down anything that you can with disinfectant. A secondary step is to throw away extra packaging that could have been in contact with the virus. Throw away the cardboard cereal box, for example.

Wash your hands after you are done cleaning.

Handwashing is such an essential step in the safety process that it can’t be overstated. Make sure that you are washing your hands on a regular basis for at least 20 seconds or more.

Check out Dr. VanWingen’s video below!

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

Source: Relieved, Now This News