1. < Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19
Mentor

COVID-19: Grocery Shopping and Take Out Food

Posted by Teresa, Volunteer Mentor @hopeful33250, Mar 26, 2020

Most likely when/if we need to buy groceries we always wipe down the cart handles with an antiseptic wipe. However, how do you protect yourself when you bring those groceries into your home? I just viewed this video from a physician in Grand Rapids, Michigan who offers some suggestions. Perhaps you will not find all of these suggestions helpful or practical, but I learned a lot. Here is the link to this YouTube video,

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

Mentor
John, Volunteer Mentor | @johnbishop | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @hopeful33250 "@johnbishop Thanks, John. I saw that "Share" but didn't know how it could be used. Once..." + (show)
@hopeful33250

@johnbishop
Thanks, John. I saw that "Share" but didn't know how it could be used. Once again you saved the day for those of us who are not high-techs!

Jump to this post

Glad to help!

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "Mayofeb, I've purchased my last fresh veggies and fruits for awhile. Absolutely just an oldie and..." + (show)
@fiesty76

Mayofeb, I've purchased my last fresh veggies and fruits for awhile. Absolutely just an oldie and no expert but I did wash/soak everything first in lukewarm, Dawn detergent water; rinsed in cool water; let it dry before storing. I am cooking fresh veggies and fruits just as a precaution hoping the cooking heat will further kill bacteria.

Jump to this post

@feisty76 Heat kills Covid-19, so cooking any produce to at least 160F makes it safe. I think your practice of washing all produce is a good one - if you use soap, water (any temp) and friction (as in handwashing) on hard-skinned fruits - oranges, apples, bananas, etc it is safe to handle and eat. Still looking around for definitive answers on soft fruits and fresh greens - we have taken them off the menu for now. Our produce stands are open here (basically one-person, outdoor businesses, and friends shop them for all of us.) My friend says most greens and soft fruits and veggies aren't even being offered there now - so a lot of people must have quit buying out of caution. Looking forward to getting home where I can raise my own greens!
A final word - I have looked high and low, and there is no evidence that vinegar in any concentration is an effective disinfectant against Covid-19, even though I see recipes for it on the Internet every day. A few places I consider reliable, such as Consumer Reports and the World Economic Forum (both gather their info from many sources) specifically note that there is no evidence vinegar (acetic acid) kills coronaviruses.
Stay safe everyone, but continue to eat healthy!
Sue

REPLY
1 reply
lioness | @lioness | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "Mayofeb, I've purchased my last fresh veggies and fruits for awhile. Absolutely just an oldie and..." + (show)
@fiesty76

Mayofeb, I've purchased my last fresh veggies and fruits for awhile. Absolutely just an oldie and no expert but I did wash/soak everything first in lukewarm, Dawn detergent water; rinsed in cool water; let it dry before storing. I am cooking fresh veggies and fruits just as a precaution hoping the cooking heat will further kill bacteria.

Jump to this post

@mayofeb You say your not buying anymore vegies or fruits that isn't good you won't be getting the nutrients you need . I hope this means your getting frozen instead

REPLY
1 reply
Mentor
Becky, Volunteer Mentor | @becsbuddy | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @mayofeb2020 "My question is how to handle fresh produce. My daughter is sending me fresh veggies directly..." + (show)
@mayofeb2020

My question is how to handle fresh produce. My daughter is sending me fresh veggies directly from local farmers. I'm going to have cauliflower, kale, bok choy, apples, oranges, and spinach. If they are not packed wrapped in plastic, do I have to wash them with soap and hot water? Would this ruin the veggies?

Jump to this post

@mayofeb2020 A very good question! I looked it up several days ago because I was wondering, too. All the sites said to use soapy water. Most veggies/fruits can be washed ahead of time. Hope this helps

REPLY
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@feisty76 Heat kills Covid-19, so cooking any produce to at least 160F makes it safe. I..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@feisty76 Heat kills Covid-19, so cooking any produce to at least 160F makes it safe. I think your practice of washing all produce is a good one - if you use soap, water (any temp) and friction (as in handwashing) on hard-skinned fruits - oranges, apples, bananas, etc it is safe to handle and eat. Still looking around for definitive answers on soft fruits and fresh greens - we have taken them off the menu for now. Our produce stands are open here (basically one-person, outdoor businesses, and friends shop them for all of us.) My friend says most greens and soft fruits and veggies aren't even being offered there now - so a lot of people must have quit buying out of caution. Looking forward to getting home where I can raise my own greens!
A final word - I have looked high and low, and there is no evidence that vinegar in any concentration is an effective disinfectant against Covid-19, even though I see recipes for it on the Internet every day. A few places I consider reliable, such as Consumer Reports and the World Economic Forum (both gather their info from many sources) specifically note that there is no evidence vinegar (acetic acid) kills coronaviruses.
Stay safe everyone, but continue to eat healthy!
Sue

Jump to this post

Yes, I understand that heat and cooking produce kills the virus. I'm just staying away from grocery stores right now because of lung issues which make me more vulnerable to the shoppers as well as fresh foods. Pretty well stocked up and getting more creative with some meals. Smiles I haven't seen recommendations either for using vinegar as a disinfectant...I've been sticking with a bit of Dawn in lukewarm water and scrubbing harder skinned fruits with a veggie brush.

REPLY
1 reply
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@mayofeb You say your not buying anymore vegies or fruits that isn't good you won't be..." + (show)
@lioness

@mayofeb You say your not buying anymore vegies or fruits that isn't good you won't be getting the nutrients you need . I hope this means your getting frozen instead

Jump to this post

Lioness, Sincere thanks for your concern. I am well stocked on frozen and canned veggies and fruits. Just staying out of the grocery stores for now due to caution.

REPLY
lioness | @lioness | Mar 27, 2020
In reply to @fiesty76 "Yes, I understand that heat and cooking produce kills the virus. I'm just staying away from..." + (show)
@fiesty76

Yes, I understand that heat and cooking produce kills the virus. I'm just staying away from grocery stores right now because of lung issues which make me more vulnerable to the shoppers as well as fresh foods. Pretty well stocked up and getting more creative with some meals. Smiles I haven't seen recommendations either for using vinegar as a disinfectant...I've been sticking with a bit of Dawn in lukewarm water and scrubbing harder skinned fruits with a veggie brush.

Jump to this post

@fiesty76 When I stated about washing your vegies with vinegar and water It wasnt about a virus somehow Sue thought I said this for washings of vegies and fruit concerning the covid-19 virus This is misinformation.,which I didn't say

REPLY
1 reply
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Mar 28, 2020

Thanks for clarification, Lioness. Just know there is a great deal of misinformation out there and wanting everyone to stay as safe as possible. Good deal.

REPLY
Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Mar 28, 2020
In reply to @lioness "@fiesty76 When I stated about washing your vegies with vinegar and water It wasnt about a..." + (show)
@lioness

@fiesty76 When I stated about washing your vegies with vinegar and water It wasnt about a virus somehow Sue thought I said this for washings of vegies and fruit concerning the covid-19 virus This is misinformation.,which I didn't say

Jump to this post

@lioness Sorry I wasn't clear. People are reaching for "any port in a storm" these days, so it was only meant to clarify. I continue to receive messages & posts daily telling me vinegar, or essential oil, or lemon juice, or ??? will protect against the Virus. We need to make sure people don't misinterpret, that while these may work on other contaminants, they do nothing to protect us from Covid-19.
Hope you are staying safe & well.
Today we're trying a new activity - each driving our own cars to the state park 2 miles away & walking the trails there - where only the paths are open. We decided if there are too many other people with the same idea so we can't stay a safe distance, we'll come home.

REPLY
1 reply
fiesty76 | @fiesty76 | Mar 28, 2020
In reply to @sueinmn "@lioness Sorry I wasn't clear. People are reaching for "any port in a storm" these days,..." + (show)
@sueinmn

@lioness Sorry I wasn't clear. People are reaching for "any port in a storm" these days, so it was only meant to clarify. I continue to receive messages & posts daily telling me vinegar, or essential oil, or lemon juice, or ??? will protect against the Virus. We need to make sure people don't misinterpret, that while these may work on other contaminants, they do nothing to protect us from Covid-19.
Hope you are staying safe & well.
Today we're trying a new activity - each driving our own cars to the state park 2 miles away & walking the trails there - where only the paths are open. We decided if there are too many other people with the same idea so we can't stay a safe distance, we'll come home.

Jump to this post

Pure Inspiration ! If you've not seen this, I hope you'll be able to access this hope lifting video: today.com/video/rising-up-a...
How and what medical mercy bringers and others are doing during this time of crisis in our lives. If these can do it, we can too,yes?

REPLY
View MoreView Less
Please sign in or register to post a reply.