9: Precautions going outside – what should I pay attention to when going to the supermarket

Q: If I have to go to the supermarket for shopping, what should I pay attention to?

💁Tracy:

Going to supermarket：

Before you go out, plan what you want to buy, choose a familiar store, think about the route you want to take in the market, and minimize the amount of time in the supermarket. Before you go, contact your neighbors, relatives and friends to see if they need something urgent. Communicating with each other will reduce the number of times you go to the market.

Bring a certain amount of disinfectant or sanitary paper towels. If possible, wear special gloves or disposable gloves to reduce the chance of touching anything with your hands.

When using a shopping cart or basket, clean the handle with disinfectant beforehand if you do not wear special gloves or disposable gloves.

Try to choose a time with fewer people in the market. Check how crowded it is at the door before deciding whether to shop.

Check the shopping times specifically set up for seniors or people with special needs by local supermarkets; if you do not belong to these groups, do not compete with them for shopping.

Check if you really need the items before picking them up, and try to reduce the number of times you touch them. Try not to pick up the items that the previous customer just put back.

Maintain social distancing from others, include in the check-out line if possible.

Practice good hygiene including cover your face when cough and sneeze, and avoid getting close to people who sneeze or cough.

Maintain social distancing with cashiers, avoid cash transactions, use credit cards if possible, as changes or cash can be a source of contamination.

When using self-service payment, try to avoid touching the screen directly, or wipe it with a sanitary paper towel before touching it with your hands. If you touch the screen directly with your hand, wipe your hands with a sanitary paper towel afterwards.

If you wear special gloves or disposable gloves, remember to seal your gloves in a bag or disinfect the gloves immediately before getting inside the car or return home.

Don’t bring things inside home immediately after you buy them. Leave them in the car or garage for a few days if they are not perishable—the longer the better. For fresh and frozen items such as vegetables and fruits that you need to bring inside immediately, try your best to disinfect them before bringing them inside (see instructions for food disinfection). Food packaging and shopping bags should be treated similarly. Here is a popular youtube video that can help you see how to bring items back safely home from supermarkets: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjDuwc9KBps&t=11s

Writing: Vicki Cheng; Xiaoming Dong; Artwork: Henry Yuanheng Hu

COVID-19: Tracy's Guide for Families