Do you consider getting a takeaway risky?

[Frombeantocupyoufup]

Just wondered. Mentioned to friend on WhatsApp that we are treating ourselves to a takeaway from a local restaurant with dessert etc for DH’s birthday this weekend and she was shocked that we would risk it with the infection rate so high where we are.

I hadn’t considered that it could be spreading via takeaway food etc - surely they have to take precautions?

@inkandpen

Aren't you somewhat bored?

Isn't the point that we're all meant to be somewhat bored atm? The point is not that it's a big risk, it's that it's an extra risk. Probably much less than the supermarket, yes - but the point is that you'll still be going to the supermarket as well. I'm not saying nobody should have a takeaway - we've had one or two - but it's about being aware that every additional interaction is a risk of increasing community transmission, which is what the lockdown is supposed to reduce. Lots of people round here are merrily sending their kids to school somewhat unnecessarily, meeting lots of friends for individual walks, getting takeaway coffees etc - none of it's against the rules, but it's just going to prolong the whole saga and puts vulnerable people at greater risk.

No, I don't think the point is that we're supposed to be bored. The point is that we should be following the lockdown guidelines, and nowhere does it say that boredom is mandatory, or even recommended.

It is perfectly okay to find ways to entertain yourself and make the whole thing more bearable while sticking to the rules.

Not risky no. Pick a place you know or has a good hygiene rating = sorted.

We kept having takeaways (1-2/week) since March. We're fine. I don't consider it risky. Paying online + contactless delivery

Getting a takeaway will be higher risk than not getting a takeaway, but it is a low risk action assuming you don't go into the shop to collect it. At the moment, I'm not going indoors with anyone unless unavoidable.

@inquietant

Getting a takeaway will be higher risk than not getting a takeaway, but it is a low risk action assuming you don't go into the shop to collect it. At the moment, I'm not going indoors with anyone unless unavoidable.

But you don't go indoors to get a takeaway delivered.

No. She sounds incredibly over-anxious.

Yes, I am aware of that many takeaways are delivered, I was distinguishing between collecting and delivery

If you are not ECV or over 70 I’d say the individual risk of norovirus or food poisoning is far higher than Covid anyway. From what o have read the chance of getting the virus from surfaces (like the take away boxes) is very low.

If packaging was risky then the millions of us who aren't neurotic and don't bleach and quarantine our food from the supermarket would be dead by now

@3littlewords

If packaging was risky then the millions of us who aren't neurotic and don't bleach and quarantine our food from the supermarket would be dead by now

This is a little silly.

I don't bleach or anything and was happy in the supermarket pre-lockdown, but clearly touching things in the supermarket is an increase in risk compared to not doing so. But would only result in a small likelihood of infection, usually untraceable, compared to those caused by close contact.

Why do people assume that everyone keeping their contacts to a bare minimum is 'petrified"? I'm low risk and I'm not particularly worried about catching Covid (though I'd rather not). But I am worried about the elderly and vulnerable in society getting it, and about access to urgent health care for those who need it for other reasons, which is why I am staying at home, exercising as near to home as possible, working at home, keeping my kids at home, and only coming into contact with others to get food and health care, as much as humanly possible. Isn't that the point of all this? (And I agree, there is definitely a big difference between a contactless delivered takeaway and one you have to collect.)

@inkandpen yes I agree with you - but it is how those who are messing this up for us all make themsves feel better - by sneering that they are the rational ones.

I'm not 'petrified' on a personal level, except for occasional long covid worries I suppose, just willing to selflessly forego a thrilling trip to Morrisons in order to be one less potential transmission point in this national nightmare.

The point is not that it's a big risk, it's that it's an extra risk

Yes, exactly. And this too: It’s not as safe as NOT getting a takeaway

It's legal to get a takeaway, so I am not criticising people who do so. But I don't want to add to my total exposure to risk unless it's completely unavoidable. That means getting the maximum number of meals per interaction with people outside my household, and a takeaway, which is unlikely to offer particular nutritional value and at most provides a couple of meals with leftovers, is not an efficient way of doing that.

Standing in a queue for a takeaway is risky as is giving the order if no screens. Otherwise no

[quote inquietant]@inkandpen yes I agree with you - but it is how those who are messing this up for us all make themsves feel better - by sneering that they are the rational ones.

I'm not 'petrified' on a personal level, except for occasional long covid worries I suppose, just willing to selflessly forego a thrilling trip to Morrisons in order to be one less potential transmission point in this national nightmare.[/quote]
How do you get your food if you selflessly forgo your trips to Morrisons? Do live off the land as they call it? Grow own veg, have chickens to lay you eggs etc

How do you get your food if you selflessly forgo your trips to Morrisons? Do live off the land as they call it? Grow own veg, have chickens to lay you eggs etc

No need for that - in this modern world we live in, supermarkets do deliveries!

@inquietant blimey. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to shop online. Some of us can't get deliveries and have no choice not to go to the shop. Sorry if providing fresh food for my daughter or supporting a local restaurant that will not survive without takeaway custom extends your lockdown by a couple of days.

Everyone has to choose their own level of risk. If someone isn't breaking the rules or directly putting people at risk, you have no right to judge them.

Unless the person making your takeaway is licking the containers, the risk of contracting the virus from them would be ridiculously minimal.

No. We probably have one a week, trying to support local hospitality that has had to move to takeaway service. They distance sensibly when delivering and collection is always arranged at a doorway and spaces from others/all mask wearing. And interaction is very brief.

The amount of people on this thread saying “absolutely NOT” is terrifying.

Of course it’s a risk! It’s a meal in containers and a bag handled by several complete strangers!

Saying that, we stopped during the first lockdown but have continued ever since. We wipe down the boxes, wash our hands after handling any of the containers and hope for the best.

Terrifying?

Some of us choose not to live a terrified life

@doireallyneedaname

The amount of people on this thread saying “absolutely NOT” is terrifying.

Of course it’s a risk! It’s a meal in containers and a bag handled by several complete strangers!

Saying that, we stopped during the first lockdown but have continued ever since. We wipe down the boxes, wash our hands after handling any of the containers and hope for the best.

It is no more of a risk than any other food. The items on the supermarket shelves are handled by dozens of people along the way as well.

[quote RMarieClaire]@inquietant blimey. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to shop online. Some of us can't get deliveries and have no choice not to go to the shop. Sorry if providing fresh food for my daughter or supporting a local restaurant that will not survive without takeaway custom extends your lockdown by a couple of days.

Everyone has to choose their own level of risk. If someone isn't breaking the rules or directly putting people at risk, you have no right to judge them.[/quote]
I'm not judging anyone, for goodness sake, I was being sarcastic about the fact all I'm giving up is a shit boring supermarket trip. I'm sick of being accused of being 'petrified' because I can get a delivery.

Its a difficult time for everyone.

We had to stop getting deliveries from the local Indian. DH got quite ill with utter rage after one too many occasions on which the order was incomplete.

That's a far bigger risk than the hypothetical risk of catching covid from the food or packaging.

[quote RMarieClaire]@inquietant blimey. Not everyone has the luxury of being able to shop online. Some of us can't get deliveries and have no choice not to go to the shop. Sorry if providing fresh food for my daughter or supporting a local restaurant that will not survive without takeaway custom extends your lockdown by a couple of days.

Everyone has to choose their own level of risk. If someone isn't breaking the rules or directly putting people at risk, you have no right to judge them.[/quote]
Of course nobody's saying that. The point is that people should do what they can. Some people can't wfh - I can so I do. Some key workers can't keep their children at home - I can so I do. If you can't get supermarket deliveries then of course you need to shop for food in person.