Admin
April 13, 2020

It is a globally known fact that COVID19 is primarily transmitted through respiratory droplets, which is through coughing or sneezing. This is why it’s been highly encouraged to wear face masks and disinfect our hands with soap or by using alcohol. However, there have been recent studies that say that the virus can latch on to and remain on objects, such as clothes or shoes, for more than a week unless these objects are disinfected.

 

 

Unfortunately, food, toiletries, and other essential supplies would eventually run out and have to be restocked at home. This would push you to go out for groceries, exposing you to the risk of being infected by COVID19. Of course, you would think that the only solution to lessen that kind of risk is to buy as much as you can in just one go.

 

 

However, with the rules of the Enhanced Community Quarantine, as well as the prohibited hoard-buying, everyone is encouraged to do weekly grocery shopping and with only a limited number of items. For example, you can only buy two pieces of alcohol per person per transaction.

 

 

Before the alarming spread of COVID19, going out to buy groceries almost seemed harmless to anything but your wallet or your debit card. However, the rising number of cases infected by the virus also means the rising risk of it infecting you and your family. Thus, it is best to always take extra precautions in disinfecting yourself and the objects you come in contact with.

 

So how can you make sure that you won’t be putting yourself and your family at risk when you go out for groceries? Here’s a step-by-step to-do list once you arrive home:

 

1. Take off your shoes before entering the house. To prevent COVID19 from intruding your home, disinfect them, top and bottom. It is best to use alcohol that has at least 70% alcohol content or with disinfectant wipes. After disinfecting, let them dry naturally. If possible, leave the shoes outside. If not, leaving them by the door would also suffice.

 

 

2. Change out of the clothes you wore outside. Place them in a laundry basket separate from your regular dirty laundry.

 

 

3. Disinfect the clothes you wore. Soak it in water mixed with chemical disinfectants, such as phenolic disinfectants and chlorine-containing disinfectants. After soaking, rinse thoroughly and leave to dry at high temperature.

 

 

4. Wash your hands immediately. After disinfecting the shoes and clothes you had worn, wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water. Apply alcohol on your hands too before touching any other things at home.

 

 

5. Disinfect everything you touched when you got home. Use disinfectant sprays on the doorknobs, your car keys, the fridge, and even the table where you had placed your groceries.

 

 

6. Disinfecting your mobile device is highly encouraged. If you had used it while you were buying groceries, this is highly advised. The use of disinfectant wipes would be the best way to clean your device. Wipe the screen, buttons, and make sure to reach any part of your device where dust can get trapped. If your mobile device has a case, remove the case and disinfect it as well.

 

 

7. Take a bath. Once you’ve disinfected the objects you’ve interacted with, it is best to take a bath before interacting with anyone in your family. This would help ensure that your whole body has been washed and cleaned.

 

 

8. Apply alcohol. After bathing, you can apply alcohol on your hands, arms, and legs to help disinfect your body too.

 

 

9. Regularly check your temperature. You can never be too cautious. During the day and for the next two to three days, regularly check your temperature and look out for symptoms of COVID19.

 

 

Now, do you also need to disinfect the food and other essential products you’ve bought? Even if there’s still no evidence that food or food packaging can be a way to transmit the virus, it’s best to stay on the safe side. It is encouraged to wash or use disinfectant wipes on the canned goods, snacks, and the other products you’ve bought from the store. For meat or vegetables, washing them before placing them in the fridge or designated containers is advised.