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Original poster

Still wiping down groceries?

336 replies

Cam77 · 13/08/2020 09:08

Just wondered if anyone is still doing this? At the beginning we were told the virus can live on surfaces for X number of days, but as far as I’m aware, the powers that be never elaborated on whether it was a real risk of transmission.

I have elderly parents and am being extra cautious for their sakes. I was about to stop wiping a few weeks ago but then number started going again when I live. I know the risk is super small, but anyway, anyone else still consider this worth doing? Or was the science updated somewhere to say there’s no risk of transmission from groceries/parcels etc?

OP posts:
linerforlife · 13/08/2020 09:09

There have been several threads on this over the past few weeks. Most people never did wipe down shopping as the risk was so small. Many who were have stopped. Yes the virus can live on surfaces, but the risk is very very small. You will like all of this have to make the judgement for yourself Smile

totallyyesno · 13/08/2020 09:10

No, but never did anyway.

TheLovleyChebbyMcGee · 13/08/2020 09:10

we never wiped groceries down, as PP has said above, yes it can live on surfaces, but the risk is so small, especially now the numbers are low

OcarinaBear · 13/08/2020 09:11

I've never wiped down groceries as I always wash my hands before I cook and before I eat.
I was cleaning any deliveries but haven't for a month or so.

Monkeybunkey · 13/08/2020 09:11

I am, although it's starting to irritate me now when it takes ages to unpack, wipe down and put away a weekly shop, especially in this heat!

Wavescrashingonthebeach · 13/08/2020 09:11

I never did wipe down. I did briefly, right at the very beginning when i wasnt sure how bad it was going to be, "mist" my shopping with a disinfectant aerosol spray as soon as i put it in my car.

Waxonwaxoff0 · 13/08/2020 09:12

Never did it in the first place, don't see the point.

BikeTyson · 13/08/2020 09:12

I never did. It seemed a waste of time when I wash my hands before preparing or eating food, and wash fruit and veg anyway.

DietCokePlease · 13/08/2020 09:13

Yes I do- I've been pregnant throughout the pandemic and now have a newborn so I'm probably extra vigilant. The virus hasn't gone away. We use grocery delivery services and I envisage all the different hands that have touched the plastic items that day. It does live on plastics for 72 hrs so a quick spray and wipe with disinfectant seems sensible to me.

runbummyrun · 13/08/2020 09:19

What?! Wiping down groceries? Is this a "thing"

Fucking hell, everyone has gone mad.

Laiste · 13/08/2020 09:20

Never did.

7 of us live here (6yrs to 84yrs)
None of us shielded
2 worked throughout lockdown in public facing or NHS roles
4 of us have been doing food shopping in different areas throughout lock down.
6 year old has been going into school in large bubble
None of us have had it (2 of us have been tested neg again recently)

BrandNewShinyThings · 13/08/2020 09:20

I did when numbers were really high, but we have 2 cases in 100,000 where I live so have stopped now, haven't done it for several weeks. Still wash hands well regularly and before eating.

Bloodylush · 13/08/2020 09:21

I did but stopped a couple of weeks ago.

Laiste · 13/08/2020 09:21

Oh and we have about a million amazon deliveries a week and we open the parcels there and then.

BluebellForest836 · 13/08/2020 09:21

Nope and never did.

MrsSpookyM · 13/08/2020 09:22

I never did. Just washed my hands when I got home and then after unpacking.

Mumblechum0 · 13/08/2020 09:22

Never did it. We got it in March, recovered quickly and have been very relaxed about the whole thing.

TheTrollFairy · 13/08/2020 09:23

I leave all stuff that doesn’t need to go in a fridge or freezer in a cool place in my house for a couple of days.
The risk is minor, but as a potential high risk person, a risk is a risk and there is an easy solution. I know people who did it who have stopped now as they have returned to work so they have a greater risk there than from the shopping

HilaryBriss · 13/08/2020 09:24

I an another who have never wiped down, pointless imo.

Elsa8 · 13/08/2020 09:25

I still do, but I’m at the overly cautious end of the spectrum.

Summer41 · 13/08/2020 09:30

Yes we do, DP insists that it's still a risk. All fruit and veg comes out of the packaging, fridge and freezer stuff gets cleaned as the virus can survive for a longer time in the cold. All other stuff (tins, jars, bottles etc) is quarantined in the garage for 72 hours.

Personally I wouldn't bother anymore. DP insists that MIL continues to do so too but I suspect she doesn't.

ShinyMe · 13/08/2020 09:30

Nope, never did. I wash my hands and don't touch things too much when I'm out, and that's it.

Stannisbaratheonsboxofmatches · 13/08/2020 09:32

My parents are still doing it - I know as I am with them!

I have never done it - but then again I’ve had the virus- I don’t think I got it from the groceries though. I likely contracted it before lockdown from going on public transport.

TooTTootY · 13/08/2020 09:32

Never did. Waste of time.

TooTTootY · 13/08/2020 09:33

Yes we do, DP insists that it's still a risk. All fruit and veg comes out of the packaging, fridge and freezer stuff gets cleaned as the virus can survive for a longer time in the cold. All other stuff (tins, jars, bottles etc) is quarantined in the garage for 72 hours

God, how tedious (and ridiculous).

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