AIBU to wonder how likely it is to catch it from shopping?

[DuploTower]

So I feel safe in my current bubble. The only thing that threatens that is the need to go shopping for supplies occasionally.

How reasonable is this fear?

Have you, or anyone you know (as far as they're aware of) picked up C19 in a supermarket?

Also - how likely are cashiers and shelf stackers and other staff likely to get this?

[Lockheart]

How the hell would anyone know where they picked it up? Unless you've been in close personal contact with a known case, AND you haven't been anywhere or seen anyone else for two weeks, there's no way of knowing.

[Sparklesocks]

I don’t think it’s really possible to know, because most people don’t know where they get it from? Especially as you may not have symptoms for a week or two. And how would you know if you got it from the grocery items, or a staff member, or another customer? It wouldn’t be possible to isolate the source.

[bridgetreilly]

We are all likely to get it eventually.

The current lockdown is not intended to stop it spreading, only to slow it spreading (and therefore give people the best chance of getting the right care). Shopping is just one possible place you might get it, even if you think you are in a bubble. It could come in on your post. You might catch it from someone coughing on the other side of a garden fence.

I really think people have to stop thinking that they are 'safe'. The goal is to be as careful as possible, to slow the spread. But there is no point being afraid that one day you'll catch it. Because 60%-80% of us will. And many of us may already have done so, without getting any symptoms.

[DuploTower]

Grocery items, staff member, Co - shopper

All come under the "I caught C19 from shopping" banner I would have thought.

If I haven't been out the house or seen another soul, or checked my letterbox in a fortnight and then I go to a supermarket and develop symptoms shortly after, it's a fairly strong indication that trip to the supermarket, somehow, was the source of infection.

I want to know how dangerous it is.

I want to know what percentage of shop workers have caught C19 compared to work at home people obeying lockdown.

[DuploTower]

There is nobody on the other side of my garden fence. I have no neighbours. I've not been anywhere I could catch it in 4 weeks. My post gets removed from letterbox every few days and placed in a box where it's left another 3. I obviously wash my hands.

[bridgetreilly]

Great. And none of that will prevent you from getting it when the lockdown is relaxed. Unless, I suppose, you're planning go and be self-sufficient on an uninhabited island.

[Hingeandbracket]

I want to know how dangerous it is.

I want to know what percentage of shop workers have caught C19 compared to work at home people obeying lockdown.

YABU - these figures are not knowable. Even if we knew the shop worker percentage it would be meaningless in terms of risk.

[letmeinthroughyourwindow]

80% of people will get it eventually. The 20% who don't are, I hope, those self-isolating due to serious vulnerability. Just go about your business, taking normal sensible precautions. You need to eat, so you will have to go. Maintain social distancing, don't touch your face, sanitise your hands once you're in your car. Whether you wash all of your shopping is something for you to decide. I know someone who does but I'm not going to those lengths.

Is it as safe as staying at home? No. Are the risks manageable and proportionate? Yes, imo.

[Slith]

14.632%

[Hingeandbracket]

@Slith

[coconuttelegraph]

How do you think anyone could know the answer to this? No one is spending their time trying to work out things that can't be worked out

[DuploTower]

Which is why I'm asking for anecdata

[tobedtoMNandfart]

Anecdotal evidence only :
I work in a medium sized supermarket. We have continued going to work as normal everyday, with added new precautions.
We have a few people off for a variety of reasons I'm not privy to due to confidentiality.
I can tell you we are not dropping like flies.

[MamaKarmaLlama]

I’ve heard this week are all going to get it eventually’ remark loads but is that really true? Not everyone gets every illness. Unless you mean over a lifetime? Is that what eventually means?

[NotEverythingIsBlackandwhite]

OP, there was a case the other day where someone contracted CV and they had been isolated for several weeks and they had only been out once and that was to a supermarket. Not surprisingly, they believe they contracted it there. However, there haven't been reports in the newspapers of lots of shop assistants contracting it so that is probably an indication that people have minimal risk if they stick to the social distancing rules.

[Keeva2017]

I have left the house twice for shopping since the lockdown began. Today I have started with sore throat, achey neck, shakey etc. Not saying I have caught CV but Iv got something either way from one of those 2 trips.

[DuploTower]

Keeva - I really hope you're feeling better soon

Thanks for getting back to me.

I feel massively reassured that retail workers are not being hit badly with this.

I'm still a bit afraid to go out for fresh food, I've been living off carbs and I'm dreaming of fresh lettuce.

[Redwinestillfine]

Have you got any farms nearby doing veg boxes? If you're nervous about going to a supermarket try famshops or smaller retailers...many will deliver too.

[SebandAlice]

Have you got a mask? If not I would make one. Always carry hand sanitiser with you and use regularly while out/about. If not use gloves and remove into a sealed bag as soon as you leave the shops. Take Vitamin D if you are not getting out.

[Fallingstars20]

Just go to the shop op. This martyrdom is unnecessary- if you’re living off simple carbs you will not be keeping healthy. Think of those (like me) who have no car, cannot get a delivery slot, the supermarket is a 15-20 min walk away... I HAVE to go twice a week or so. Just keep to the hygiene and distancing rules, wear a mask/gloves if you like.

[Keeva2017]

Go at quieter times op or you should be able to find plenty of smaller providers that’s deliver. I’m not going to let the anxiety take over, just follow the precautions. I do get it though. Iv had a bit of a wake up call.

[amicissimma]

How about this anecdote? Sort of an accidental laboratory.

The Diamond Princess. 3711 passengers and crew aboard. 3063 tests for Covid-19. 634 positive (about 20%, ie 80% didn't get it).

Of those that were positive 306 had symptoms, 328 had no symptoms.

11 deaths (some reports say 10).

An above-average proportion of over 70s on board and, until quarantine, they were at close quarters, touching surfaces, sharing spaces, coughing, etc.

I'd say on a brief trip to a supermarket with few other people, well spaced out, hopefully not much coughing, your odds of catching anything would be quite low.

[Aveisenim]

We think I did. I only say 'think' as I managed to avoid going to hospital (so far) so haven't been tested. I've been isolating for weeks so my vector is extremely small. I either got it picking up a prescription just before the 12 week isolation advice or from delivered shopping since. It's a reasonable concern, but ultimately futile as you need to eat/drink. Try not to let the anxiety take over as that will lower your immune response, and keep topped up with vitamins (especially C & D). I've been ill for almost 3 weeks now and only just starting to improve. All you can do is go out at quieter times etc and do your best to stay inside as much as possible.

[BanKittenHeels]

To catch what?

[letmeinthroughyourwindow]

MamaKarma, the 80% comment came from Rupert Shute, the Deputy Scientific Officer at the Home Office, when he revealed that those were the numbers the government were working with.