No, You Don't Need To Disinfect Your Groceries. But Here's How To Shop Safely
(good article, IMO, on npr.org)
Excerpts:
"Many of us are still venturing out to stock up on food and toiletries. But what's the safest way to shop during this pandemic? And what should you do once you've brought your haul home?
We asked infectious disease, virology and food safety experts to share their tips about safe grocery shopping — and what you can stop worrying about.
Many people worry about the possibility of picking up the coronavirus from things like grocery store conveyor belts or cereal boxes. But every expert NPR spoke with agrees that
the biggest risk when it comes to groceries is being inside the store itself with other people who may be infected."
"...Many shoppers are now following elaborate routines to disinfect their groceries, thanks to a viral video put out by a Michigan family doctor.
But all of the experts we spoke with say that disinfecting and hand-washing every last item in your grocery haul is really not necessary. You might find it comforting to know that none of these experts are doing this themselves.
Rasmussen explains that the probability of getting infected from a contaminated surface is not zero, but it is fairly low. That's because respiratory droplets would have to have landed on the exact spot on, say, a box of cereal that you are touching. And even then, you'd have to get enough residual virus on your hand to start an infection — and you'd have to transfer that virus to your face."
No, You Don't Need To Disinfect Your Groceries. But Here's How To Shop Safely