What steps can I take to minimize risk when shopping at the grocery store during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Practice social distancing while shopping – keeping at least 6 feet between you, other shoppers, and store employees. Keep your hands away from your face. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds when you return home and again after you put away your groceries.

How can I stay safe while grocery shopping?

• Stay at least six-feet away from other shoppers.
• Don't shake hands, hug or have any physical contact.
• Wipe down grocery carts or basket handles with disinfectant wipes if you have them.
• Don't touch your face.
• Wear a cloth face mask.
• While waiting and after leaving the store, use hand sanitizer if you have it.

What is the best way to protect me from COVID-19?

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself from Delta, Omicron, or any COVID-19 variant is to get fully vaccinated, the doctors say.

What is the safest way to go out to eat during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Picking up food while wearing a mask or having it delivered to your door still remains a safest way to enjoy a meal that wasn't cooked at home. The CDC describes drive-through, delivery, takeout, and curbside pick up options as the lowest risk way to dine out.

What are some of the things you can do to lower your chances of getting or spreading COVID-19?

• Wash your hands well and often. Use hand sanitizer when you’re not near soap and water.
• Try not to touch your face.
• Wear a face mask when you go out.
• Follow your community guidelines for staying home.
• When you do go out in public, leave at least 6 feet of space between you and others.

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What are some ways our family can help slow the spread of COVID-19?

• Get a COVID-19 vaccine.
• Wash your hands often with plain soap and water.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a mask when around others.
• Avoid crowds and practice social distancing (stay at least 6 feet apart from others).

How can you reduce among others the risk of spread of COVID-19 during a large gathering?

You are less likely to be exposed to COVID-19 during outdoor activities, even without the use of masks. Good ventilation can help prevent you from getting and spreading COVID-19. Avoid crowded places where you cannot stay 6 feet away from others.

Can you catch COVID-19 from food?

VERY UNLIKELY. There are no reports to date of people catching the novel coronavirus from eating food or handling food packaging.

There is no evidence that you can catch COVID-19 from eating food that may have the novel coronavirus on it.

Studies show that the coronavirus that causes COVID-19 is spread most commonly through coughs and sneezes and person-to-person contact. There is no evidence that it is spread through ingesting food.

Can food transmit coronavirus disease?

We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging.

However, it is always important to follow good hygiene practices (i.e., wash hands and surfaces often, separate raw meat from other foods, cook to the right temperature, and refrigerate foods promptly) when handling or preparing foods.

Is the U.S. food supply safe?

Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.

Unlike foodborne gastrointestinal (GI) viruses like norovirus and hepatitis A that often make people ill through contaminated food, SARS-CoV-2, which causes COVID-19, is a virus that causes respiratory illness and not gastrointestinal illness, and foodborne exposure to this virus is not known to be a route of transmission.

It may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose, or possibly their eyes, but this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. It’s always important to follow the 4 key steps of food safety—clean, separate, cook, and chill.

Can taking vitamin D prevent COVID-19?

Vitamin D is thought to have protective effects on the immune system, but it’s not yet known whether it could help prevent or treat COVID-19. New research has noted higher rates of COVID-19 infection and death in areas where people have lower levels of vitamin D in their system. But those studies show an association – not that low vitamin D makes someone more likely to get COVID-19. Research is ongoing.

Are there supplements or medications to take to reduce the risk of getting COVID-19?

Great question! No supplements or medications have been shown to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19. Excessive intake of supplements can be harmful. Many drugs are being studied in clinical trials for the prevention and treatment of COVID-19 but the results will take months.

Follow these precautions to best prevent COVID-19:

• Avoid close contact with sick individuals
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands
• Practice “social distancing” by staying home when possible and maintaining 6 feet of distance
• Clean and disinfect objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe
• Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer containing at least 60% alcohol

Will an air purifier help protect me from COVID-19 in my home?

When used properly, air purifiers can help reduce airborne contaminants including viruses in a home or confined space. However, by itself, a portable air cleaner is not enough to protect people from COVID-19.

What should I do when shopping during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Practice social distancing while shopping – keeping at least 6 feet between you, other shoppers, and store employees. Keep your hands away from your face. Wash your hands with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds when you return home and again after you put away your groceries.

Is it safe to shop for food during the COVID-19 pandemic?

As grocery shopping remains a necessity during this pandemic, many people have questions about how to shop safely. We want to reassure consumers that there is currently no evidence of human or animal food or food packaging being associated with transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.

What do I need to know to keep myself and others safe when I go to the grocery store during the COVID-19 pandemic?

There are steps you can take to help protect yourself, grocery store workers and other shoppers, such as wearing a face covering, practicing social distancing, and using wipes on the handles of the shopping cart or basket.

Can I catch COVID-19 by eating food handled or prepared by others?

According to the CDC, the risk of getting COVID-19 by handling or consuming food from a restaurant, takeout, or drive through is very low.

Can I get COVID-19 from a food worker handling my food?

Currently, there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19.

Can you contract COVID-19 from food packaging?

Given that the number of virus particles that could be theoretically picked up by touching a surface would be very small and the amount needed for infection via oral inhalation would be very high, the chances of infection by touching the surface of food packaging or eating food is considered to be extremely low.

What are the risks of food from takeout or drive-thru food?

• There is no current indication that takeout or drive-thru meals will increase illness.
• This option is a good risk management choice, especially for high risk and elderly groups because it reduces the number of touch points.

Am I at risk for COVID-19 from touching food or packaging?

Again, there is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19. However, if you wish, you can wipe down product packaging and allow it to air dry, as an extra precaution.

Can the coronavirus disease be transmitted through the consumption of cooked foods, including animal products?

There is currently no evidence that people can catch COVID-19 from food. The virus that causes COVID-19 can be killed at temperatures similar to that of other known viruses and bacteria found in food.

What is defined as a large gathering during the COVID-19 pandemic?

Large gatherings bring together many people from multiple households in a private or public space. Large gatherings are often planned events with a large number of guests and invitations. They sometimes involve lodging, event staff, security, tickets, and long-distance travel.

What are the CDC guidelines to prevent the spread of COVID-19?

Recommendations for COVID-19 Close Contacts Quarantine if you are not up to date with COVID-19 vaccines or didn't have COVID-19 in the past 90 days. Stay home and away from other people for at least 5 days. If you are up to date or had COVID-19 in the past 90 days you do not have to quarantine.

What are the most important prevention strategies for COVID-19 in schools?

• The most important prevention strategies to prioritize in schools include vaccinations for teachers, staff, and eligible students, the use of masks and physical distancing, and screening testing.