Authorities are urging residents of the Russian Federation to stay at home until April 5, citing the coronavirus epidemic. You can only leave the house if necessary, for example, at a pharmacy or for groceries.
If you need to go to the store, follow basic safety rules. Consider ways to shop for groceries during a pandemic with minimal health risks.
Visiting hours: morning and evening
Hygienist Andrei Mosov asks residents of Russia to visit stores in the morning and evening, because this time they have fewer people. Visiting times may vary depending on the region - remember when there is no line in stores. Remembered? Excellent, then this time is ideal for visiting.
Tip: visit better large supermarkets, as in small shops with narrow aisles you have to cram with other people.
The choice of clothing: what to go for groceries
Choose clothes from fabrics that retain moisture and do not absorb aerosols. These include: leather, eco-leather, microfiber, varieties of jacquard. Great if the fabric is saturated with dirt and dust. In terms of shoes, there are no special recommendations, but after you cross the threshold of the apartment, immediately remove it and then wash your hands with soap (at least 20 seconds).
It is advisable to wear a hat, but because it’s already warm on the street - few will do it. In this case, long-haired girls and women will not hurt to pin hair - in a bun. It is best to choose the clothes for shopping that are easy to wipe with a damp cloth. Immediately after coming home, change into home clothes.
Compliance with the distance: 2 meters
The best thing you can do in a store is keep a distance with other customers. Approximate distance: 2 meters. Keep your distance especially from those with a painful appearance: from those who cough, sneeze, who have watery eyes. Of course, it can be an ordinary cold, but it is better to protect yourself.
Keep a distance, including at the checkout - many do not do this, out of habit, continuing to "crowd". Take a look around - the shops are not so full right now, no one is rushing anyone. Many people practice wearing medical masks on their faces, so what I want to say is that it does not have special protective effects.
Coronavirus and products: treatment methods
Few people think that store products can also be sources of viruses. Coronavirus can live on any thing for up to several days. This means that it can be on a milk packet, cereal packaging and other products. What to do in this case? Of course, process the products after you bring them home.
As a treatment, you can use any convenient method: either wash foods and other things with soap and water, or with a sanitizer (moisten a cotton pad with it). As for vegetables and fruits - fruits should be given special attention. Ideally, it is advisable to scald them with boiling water, not to mention the mandatory thorough washing.
Tip: refrain from food that is prepared before eating directly: shawarma, pastries, rolls, pancakes, etc. An employee at a food service outlet may be infected, resulting in dangerous consequences.
Interaction with subjects: safety rules
Surely, you already understood what will be discussed. Try to avoid contact with door handles, shelving, goods on shelves (take only what is necessary, there may be virus particles on the goods). If you are not sure that when you get home with the bag, you will not touch your face - be sure to wipe your hands with wet wipes.
As for money, the virus can also be transmitted through banknotes. In this case, there is only one way out - after contact with the bills, wipe your hands with wet wipes or wash them with soap. It is especially important not to touch the face after contact with money. New banknotes that are given to you in the store may be sources of the virus.
What to buy during a pandemic?
During the coronavirus, you can buy different products, but as mentioned above - it is not recommended to purchase fast-cooking food and order it at home. After arriving from the store, handle everything with a soapy solution. Do not be afraid to buy meat, fish, because you will fry or cook these products - the virus dies during heat treatment.
If you want to stock up on products, use the list of essential goods or the list of the longest-playing products published by Roskontrol:
- canned food - from 15 months to 5 years;
- salt and sugar - 8-10 years;
- pasta - 24-32 months;
- coffee and tea - 5 years (coffee), 3 years (tea);
- mayonnaise - 120-180 days;
- potatoes - 2 weeks-10 months.
- cereals - 9-20 months.
Should I wear a mask?
The World Health Organization does not cease to say - only a sick person or someone who cares for an infected person needs a mask. A healthy person does not need it, but if you still decided to wear it, please, there will be no harm from it. Remember: no mask can provide you with 100% protection. However, it protects us from droplets of saliva - if a person sneezed nearby, it is really effective.
So, you have learned how to behave in the store, and what measures to take after visiting it. I would also like to add that in addition to the coronavirus, there are other respiratory viruses that are also spreading. Therefore, it is very important to observe hygiene: wash hands, wipe clothes and shoes after the street, disinfect surfaces and do not touch your face with dirty hands.