Should I switch the kids to packed lunches?

[avocadoze]

Just thinking that if I prepare the kids’ meals myself then I know I’ve washed my hands and it’s only me that’s touched the food. In a canteen there could be plenty of routes for the food to get contaminated or germs to spread in the queue.

I’m really not a germophobe and in ordinary circumstances I’d ridicule my own thoughts here, but is it a reasonable precaution to take against covid?

Did you switch to packed lunches the last time there was a gastro bug on the rounds at school? Or a flu outbreak? How is this any different?
Do you have any evidence of poor food hygiene in the school kitchen?
How do you know who has touched the food you prepare before you? Even production line food will be overseen by humans.
Kids queue in school all the time, how is one less queue going to help?
I'm sorry to be negative but to me this seems totally over the top.

If it makes you feel happier do it - I refused a takeaway this weekend for the same reasons - it’s probably a bit over the top - but we do what we need to do

With the training the catering staff do to pass their food and hygiene certificates I would expect them to be more knowledgeable than most parents. I'd not even consider switching my DS to packed lunches!

Kitchens will have health and safety standards to adhere to, but if you'd be happier supplying a packed lunch, do it
If you've got spare wipes, maybe provide your DC with one for the table. A table can have a turnover of three children at lunchtimes with tables being wiped with just water, which could be cold and contain germs from a previous wipe.