one green planet
one green planet

Governments are asking people to stay inside except for essential trips like exercise or going to the grocery store. So how do you keep yourself safe with a grocery store or takeout food trip?

COVID-19 is not transferred through food but is transferred between human contact and droplets shared between people. Wenqing Xu, an assistant professor at the LSU AgCenter, shared some tips for staying safe when handling foods outside your home, “A group of people we don’t talk much about is people who are actually delivering the foods because those are the people who are coming into contact with a lot of people. They go to different restaurants and they go to different households so they should take precautions at that point to minimize the person-to-person contact. Try not to touch your eyes, nose or mouth with your dirty hands. Wash your hands as soon as you get the chance. If you don’t have the opportunity to wash your hands use hand sanitizer.”

Professor Xu urges grocery managers to sanitize and monitor high traffic areas and set up stores to limit person-to-person contact. As for customers, Professor Xu said, “I think customers should plan ahead. Try to limit their time in the store. Try to minimize contact with groups of people always helps,” Xu explained. “Plan ahead, make a shopping list, go in and get out. I think that’s good too and wash your hands properly after you come back from stores.” You can wipe down groceries or other items when you get home.

If you’re getting delivery, ask the courier to drop the food on your doorstep, instead of handing it. Some delivery spots have this as a selection in a menu, if it’s not there, write it in the comments or notes section. If you call in delivery, request it that way. For takeout or delivery, immediately throw away bags or containers and wash your hands thoroughly before eating and after touching the bag.

Read more about protecting yourself from coronavirus. Check the CDC website for more information on how to protect yourself and check our latest article to learn how COVID-19 differs from the flu.

Scientists believe that the spread of COVID-19, or coronavirus, started at an exotic animal market in Wuhan, China. You can help stop the incidence of viruses like these by signing this petition to ban the wildlife trade.

It’s time to consider reducing our intake of meat products. Eating more plant-based foods is known to help with chronic inflammation, heart health, mental wellbeing, fitness goals, nutritional needs, allergies, gut health and more! Dairy consumption also has been linked to many health problems, including acne, hormonal imbalance, cancer, prostate cancer and has many side effects.

Interested in joining the dairy-free and meatless train? We highly recommend downloading the Food Monster App — with over 15,000 delicious recipes it is the largest plant-based recipe resource to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy! And, while you are at it, we encourage you to also learn about the environmental and health benefits of a plant-based diet.

Catch up on our coronavirus coverage in One Green Planet, check out these articles:

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