A Complete Shopping Guide During Covid 19, Precautions To Be Taken, The Essential Items To Be Included In The Shopping List And Behaviors To Be Adopted To Curb The Spread Of The Virus.
Covid 19 has changed the way of doing things in everybody’s life globally. Almost all sectors have been affected, and some people are confused about what to do to cope with life. Some people don’t know what to buy when they go shopping since the future is not predictable with the pandemic. You might understand how the virus is spread but don’t know how to carry on the shopping. These are some guidelines to follow while shopping amid the covid 19 pandemic.
• Make a shopping list in advance. A shopping list enables you to buy all things that are vital in the given period. It is necessary to purchase something that will sustain you for one or two weeks. Some people buy more than they need due to panic or rumors that goods might be scarce in supply in the future that creates unnecessary demand. Therefore, only the quantity of goods that are on the shopping list should be bought.
• While going out shopping, ensure that you adhere to the government guidelines to fight the spread of Covid 19. Wear a face mask as one measure to protect yourself and others from the virus. The government might impose other rules, so it is necessary to check and follow them before walking out of the house.
• It is advisable to carry your disinfecting wipe. Some stores may provide wipes as some of their services, although it is okay to be well equipped if they fail to offer them. These wipes are used to clean surfaces. Wipe down the handles of the shopping basket or cart before using it. It would be best if you clean reusable bags. No reusable shopping bags are disposed of and should not scatter in the house after use.
• Maintain social distancing is crucial for your health and others. Ensure that there is a reasonable gap between you, store employees, and other shoppers. Coughing is one of the ways coronavirus is spread, thus the need to maintain about 6 feet distance between you and others. While shopping, ensure that you do not touch your face at all costs, but if it is unavoidable, clean your hands before touching your face.
• Use hand sanitizers or wash your hands with running water after returning home. It is assumed that you might accidentally touch a surface with the virus; thus, a thorough cleaning is needed. Furthermore, clean your hands after sorting and putting in place the shopping. All these washing make sure that there is no virus left in your hands.
• After shopping, ensure that you have wiped down the product packaging to free it from the virus. Some shoppers may have touched the product while at the stores and contaminate it with the virus. There are no food packaging cases with the virus, but the product goes through many hands from the manufacturer until it reaches you.
• In this Covid 19 situation, do not taste any sample from self-service stations. Many people could have used the samples and handled the same apparatus that could spread the virus.
• Crowding is a big issue nowadays globally. Therefore, always chose the time when there is no huge number of shoppers in the stores. In the morning and late-night, there are only a few people in the store, and this will give you enough room to offer distancing from other people.
• To curb the spread of coronavirus during shopping, always touch the items that you will be buying. It is believed that our hands quickly spread the virus, and therefore touching a lot of things in the store will accelerate its spread.
• If possible, only use the cashless payment method for your shopping. Cash goes through many hands, and it is at a high level of transmitting the virus. If there is no option for cash payment, then use hand sanitizers after handling cash.
People have been forced to stay at home; therefore, they use other options rather than walking to the stores for shopping. Online shopping has helped to ease the challenges that everyone is facing amid pandemics. You only need to order online and pay using the online platform on delivery or placing an order. Here are some guides that you have to observe while shopping online.
• Avoid in-person contact at all costs. Online stores should deliver goods at a safe place, then you pick them later or, if not possible, ensure 6 feet distancing with the delivery man. Always use an online or mobile money payment method to avoid contact with cash.
• After collecting the delivery, wash your hands with warm water and soap. Use hand sanitizer as an alternative.
• Only shop on reliable online shops that can deliver on time and offer quality goods. It is advisable to pay for the shopping after it has been delivered.
Having known the precautions that you need to take while shopping during this Covid 19 period, here are some of the items that you might need and need to buy.
• Canned foods that can sustain you for a longer period.
• Nutritious and shelf-stable food like vegetables will help in maintaining healthy blood pressure.
• High protein foods like grains will boost energy in the body.
• Frozen food like chicken, lean beef, and fish provide the body with proteins. The freezer can keep frozen foods for a long time.
• Favorite food that you like when you are not feeling well, such as ginger ale.
• Fresh homemade meals. Buy some fresh produce and prepare them at home in advance. They should be kept in a freezer.
• Food that acts as self-care like cookies.
• Cleansing products like sanitizers, soap, and any other kind of detergent.
• Food for your pets and some supplies for the children that will keep them busy at home.