In this article
One of the most stressful things about lockdown for me is having to go grocery shopping. Of course, its a necessity, but the entire event can leave you feeling exposed. Like today, I had to stand in line with approximately 50 other patrons of Costco before being allowed in. While we were all 6 feet apart, just knowing that you are around people you don’t know can leave you feeling a bit stressed.
Even as we ease into reopening, it’s still prudent to take precautions when venturing into public spaces. When grocery shopping, remember that kindness is king. Everyone is under stress and out of their element in many ways. “It occurred to me that no one can see me smile at them while we pass each other,” Colorado mom Elizabeth Anderson told Mom.com. “So I make it a point to loudly say ‘hello’ all muffled through my mask.”
It’s OK mama, we have your back with these 11 tips for grocery shopping during lockdown and as we enter into phases of reopening:
Plan your grocery shopping
1. Shop during off-peak hours
The best time to shop during lockdown is when the grocery store is the least busy. This limits your exposure to people you don’t know. The best times to shop are in the early- to mid-mornings and on weekdays. This is when those who are still working are likely not at the store. If you go in the early morning, you’ll also have the advantage of the store having been disinfected overnight. Some stores offer early morning “seniors and pregnant women” shopping hours to care for the most vulnerable.
2. Choose less traveled aisles
Most grocery stores are limiting the number of people they allow in the store at any one time. This is to limit crowded aisles within the store. With that said, try to not go through busy aisles. Avoid bottlenecks where people are stopped while looking for items. Get another item you need and return when the aisle is less crowded.
3. Have a list and a plan
Write out a grocery list ahead of time so you don’t need to wander the store. Make sure the list is grouped so you can maximize the time spent in any one section or aisle. For example, list all produce items together. If this is a store that you have shopped at for a while, chances are you know where everything is, so map things out so you aren’t going back and forth throughout the aisles twice.
Virginia Thornley, M.D. told Mom.com that big-box stores might be a safer place to shop. “There is actually more space and it’s easier to avoid other people. Make a list, devise your course then whip in and out.”
While in the store
4. Use a checkout person, not self-checkout
It might seem like you have less contact with anyone if you use self-checkout. While you might not be standing in front of someone, the self-checkout has more surfaces where others have come in contact. Checkouts with clerks have set processes in place to limit the amount of contact people have in the area.
5. Wear your mask
Chances are you won’t be allowed into the store without one. Wearing a mask helps prevent the spread of the mucus droplets. This, along with other social distancing measures, helps slow down the spread of the coronavirus.
6. Use a disinfectant wipe
Take a few disinfectant wipes with you. While this is good to clean the cart you are pushing, it is also helpful to grab items that may have been touched by others. Of course, you won’t grab your fruit with a disinfectant wipe but you can grab that box of crackers, a jug of milk, and any other packaged product with it.
Out of the store
7. Let the groceries stand
There is a lot of debate over this issue right now. There are those who claim that leaving groceries on a porch or in the garage will naturally kill the virus if it is on the packaging.
There are others who say this is overkill and not necessary. The bottom line is if you feel safer doing it, it won’t hurt. Direct exposure to the sun in warm climates can disinfect items in as little as a few hours, while keeping it in your garage may require up to three days.
8. Should you disinfect your groceries?
There are those who say you should wipe down your groceries’ packaging with a cleaning wipe or hydrogen peroxide. Others say that the risk of getting the coronavirus from your groceries is so small that you don’t need to. Ultimately, if it makes you feel safer, wipe down the packaging.
9. Wash your hands
You’re probably tired of hearing it, but here it is again: Washing your hands after going to the grocery store and handling your items is the best way to reduce your chances of spreading the coronavirus.
10. Ask about pickup options
See if your grocery store will allow you to place an order online and have your items put in your trunk in the parking lot. More grocery stores and small farms are doing this to reduce contact for everyone.
11. Use delivery options
It may cost a few extra bucks, but order the food online and take advantage of someone else doing all the shopping for you. Companies like Instacart can get groceries to your door within hours of ordering in some cases. Once the food is delivered, sterilize the bags, wipe down containers, and let what can stand it stay out for a bit.
