Am I safe to venture out to the shops tomorrow?

[imterrified]

Struggling a great deal with anxiety - I have OCD and ?autism and agoraphobia so this is a living hell for me .

I need a few things from the shops - fresh food, bleach etc - but am worried about going out . Shops are six miles away and as far as I know there’s no one with Coronavirus around the area - which probably means there is someone . Would probably go to Iceland and Superdrug only and would take a taxi .

I’m not sure if I do go out, if I should try to cover my face with a mask or something ? DM is intending on going and she has asthma - she’s covering her face to eye level with a scarf and wearing marigolds ... I’ve got no health issues but I’m fat, have suspected sleep aponea and have a nagging worry that I will struggle if I get poorly .

I haven’t left the house at all in two days and was kind of assuming that that’s me in my house for the next six months or so . I’m not so sure how sustainable that is in the long term though .

Would it be safe to go out for just an hour or so? Would you take the risk?

Yes, I would. covering your face and using gloves won't give you any added protection. But make sure you wash your hands thoroughly when you get home and avoid touching your face while you're out shopping.

You will be fine, just take your time and be mindful of your actions. Just really be conscious of not touching your face. I went to Asda and once i was done as soon as i got in my car i used hand gel, and i know this sounds extreme but i then sprayed dettol on my car keys, bank card, and phone and a splash over my shopping for good measure.
Have a plan of action step by step. And a list to focus on.
Then it isnt overwhelming. Just rehearse each step of the way in your mind.
Is there any way you can shop at a quieter period?
I went around 8pm when Asda was quiet.
I know that isnt always possible but if you can stick to the quiet times.
You can do this xx

Most people would OP. You can use a mask and sanitisers or gloves. I have OCD and agoraphobia too and empathise. Alternatively you could order online instead so you don't have to risk a taxi that might have been used by quite a few people.

I think that’s what we’re planning, to go just as it opens at 10am . Be standing outside the store when it opens ... I’ll wear a scarf and probably sunglasses even if it makes no difference, I’m constantly faffing with my hair out of anxiety so a scarf means I’ll not do that .

I’ve got an order booked for Tesco for Tuesday (and weekly right through til April) but have a horrible fear that they’ll turn up with nothing at all . That’s why I’m wanting to go to Iceland tomorrow see what we can get , and then if tesco haven’t got it we still have some stuff ... DSis did go out past shops earlier and said most stuff was stocked .

You will be fine, just follow usual sensible guidance - wash your hands regularly with soap, and try not to touch your face.

I also have OCD and anxiety, so really sympathise. I have no option but to go to work (teacher) and it is awful just now. Today I went to get a haircut, had coffee, then to a few shops. The shops were relatively quiet. The one thing I wouldn’t do just now is get a taxi though - large throughout of people, impossible to keep clean all the time, and potentially doing airport runs (here at least).

Ordering online might be a good option if you can? We had a Sainsbury’s delivery this evening, and while there were some comical subs, most things we really needed were there.

Wear a hat and tuck your hair into it so u cant play with it. Im bad for pulling my hair out and it helps me stop.

You will be fine I went at 8am. I too have anxiety - unfortunately I have to face this worry every day at work so well prepped!

It will be busy. People may be queing. The car park will be busy so expect lots of people, just imagine Christmas rush!

They will make a beeline for loo roll, bleach, medicine, pasta, tined tomatoes, tinned veg, soup and soap.

There will be people coughing (perfectly normal at this time of year)

Make sure in the taxi you apply those same hygeine rules.
Keep hand sanitiser in your bag and wipes/tissues. I got a cab the other day but the seat belt as trying to ride up by my mouth (I'm short) and I had a little snoo in case driver coughed. Maybe ask to open the window a little.

They say Supermarket plastic bags (sadly) might be better (read this earlier but cant find where)

I might have a shower when I get in. Leave shoes bag and coat in porch (quick dettol spray) and a spray of shopping.

If you can delay it until Monday it will be much quieter. Wearing a scarf or a face mask isn't going to make any difference unless it moulds to your skin so don't worry about that so much. It's far more important to wash your hands as soon as you get back in.

Please remember that the vast majority of people who get the virus have a mild illness that lasts a few days. This should be your mantra!

I’m wearing gloves to open doors and carry shopping baskets or push trolleys.

Make sure you take off gloves and spray. They can give a false sense of security too!

Handwashing is best.

I will do - when gloves come off they, jacket, probably all clothes will go straight in a boil wash and me straight in the shower although not sure what to use in the shower that would be strong enough to get rid of any germs . I used to have a horrendous habit of washing my hands with Mr Muscle and determined these habits can’t come back .

Not sure if should also spray and wash all groceries before they go in the fridge , i suppose there’s no harm in it .

Spoke to CPN at 12ish who told me to take a buccastem tablet - anti sickness - as that has the added advrange of making you feel a bit drowsy/sleepy, in the abscence of being able to get sleeping tablets or similar . First time I’ve slept more than twenty minutes in days .

Got a very reassuring email from Sainsbury’s tonight as I’m sure a lot of us did - that we are not running out of food and if we’re sensible we will all get some . That’s helped alleviate my concerns of starving to death . Now if I could control my fear of dying from pneumonia alone and in pain , that would be even better but not sure that’s going to go away anytime soon .

It wont do any harm to spray dettol or other cleaning product on the outside of sealed goods.
If you have fresh fruit / veggies they can be washed in warm water and vinegar.
Dont go back to washing your hands with harsh chemicals- remember, if you strip all the skin off your hands they will be far more susceptible to inviting infection! Just regular handwashing with any handwash / soap and water. And lots of soothing handcream to apply once you are home. That can be a good distraction from negative habits.

Can you ask a friend to go with you? I wasn’t sure if your post meant your mum was or she was also shopping. It sounds like she is anxious too and sometimes two peoples anxiety can feed off each other.

I would go and have gone this weekend. It will be ok. X

No my mum is coming too ... would prefer a friend in some ways as I get the anxiety from mum ! I have the Tesco order open with all that we thought we needed —a hell of a lot— so will get what we can in Iceland . Opens at 10 . And if they don’t have , then farmfoods or spar ... also going to get a McDonald’s drive through for lunch . Not convinced how safe that is but I haven’t eaten properly for days and I’ll eat that .

I’ve not slept more than 30 minutes all bloody night . Now been told 111 are getting a GP to write up diazepam or similar for a few days until can talk to my own doctor .

If you’d prefer a friend then ask a friend.

That’s us home . Have 30mg diazepam 😯 and some well stocked cupboards. Now just for Tesco tomorrow . Spar and farmfoods were lovely and quiet !