Are you wiping down groceries because of the new variant?

[LaughingStock2021]

I am. Are you?

I have a shitload on my plate at the moment so haven't started digging through articles recommending it or saying it's all nonsense to do so, but with the 70% more infectious strain we are doing it. Wondered if anyone had seen anything related to the new strain and what new precautions we could take?

No. Never did before, I don't see me starting it in the future.

No.

No. Really no. My life is far too busy to wipe groceries.

Is there enough virus to be dangerous though?

This is the bit I'm interested in! Whether fomites are a possible transmission risk now with the new strain.

Would you not wash your hands before you ate the sandwich?

I wash my hands, make my sandwich, and eat it, usually. I don't was them again before I eat?

But even if I did wash my hands immediately before picking up the sandwich - I'm being thick but can't see how that makes a difference?

My (washed) hands have opened the packet of cheese, taken out the cheese to cut it, so I've handled the packaging and then the cheese, then put it between the bread.

I guess you could handwash in the middle of the sandwich process after opening the packet before taking out the cheese?

To me it's a lot more effort to do it that way, I feel it's easier to clean stuff and then they go in the fridge and I don't have to wonder if they're clean or not!

I did in first lockdown, then stopped. Have started doing it again now. DH & DS are both vulnerable.

No.

I am at the moment yes.

I did for a bit during Lockdown 1.0 then when things eased off persuaded myself I was being neurotic. I am now being fully neurotic again and so be it for now.

I’m a lone parent and not prepared to take any risk which increases my chances of hospitalisation right now.

Fully expect to return to my lax hygiene standards when things stabilise but not now...

One of the scientists I saw interviews recently was asked this very question and they said there was no need. I can’t remember who it was though....

@LaughingStock2021 just do whatever you feel the need to. If you feel the need to wash down groceries because you feel happy doing it do that.
I am happy just washing my hands regularly.

But it would be very interesting to know how much risk groceries pose.

It is my understanding that the virus cannot live long, if at all on surfaces - especially on something that has been put in a fridge/cupboard for a while. The threads with virologists/biologists etc on them seem to all agree that the virus is airborne and spreads through the respiratory system. The chance of catching it from a tin or packet etc is very low.

But whatever makes you feel better OP. I cant be arsed and seeing as im pretty sure we've had covid already or if not it's likely to be a mild illness for us i dont see the point.

I agree with posters in previous threads who talked about how, during the 80's with all the hysteria surrounding AIDS people thought you could catch it from sharing toilet seats etc. I think we will look back at some of the human behaviour surrounding covid and be astounded!

I've always wiped my shopping, even when dh had covid.

No. I thought about it at the beginning as DH is 66 and they kept talking about over 65s being vulnerable but decided that if he wants to do it he can.

www.safefood.net/food-safety/groceries-covid-19

Some good advice here...

Yes we are and haven't stopped. It might be over the top but it can't hurt and I'd like to think any sneezes/coughs that have happened over my shopping will then be wiped away whether it contains Covid or not.

@PurpleDaisies

One of the scientists I saw interviews recently was asked this very question and they said there was no need. I can’t remember who it was though....

Ah, that's interesting. I couldn't find anything with my feeble attempt at googling. Everything on the topic related to the older version of covid.

I just find 70% more infectious a bit fucking scary tbh.

No. I'm CEV and we'd be forever sanitising groceries, parcels, letters, wine delivery (no chance, that needs to be opened immediately!!!), etc.

We'd spend our lives working and cleaning stuff. It's bad enough trying to keep the house clean with two teenagers constantly here!

God no

No, I've never bothered wiping my groceries, and I tear open my letters and parcels the second I receive them.

agree with posters in previous threads who talked about how, during the 80's with all the hysteria surrounding AIDS people thought you could catch it from sharing toilet seats etc. I think we will look back at some of the human behaviour surrounding covid and be astounded

Yes eg the people who genuinely think you can catch covid from sitting on a park bench.

Used to, stopped, will start again tonight when my delivery arrives. I use correctly diluted Milton.

No. Never did it. Have a general rule not to lick groceries anyway and just wash my hands

I’m not, and haven’t been. I did notice that when I got my Tesco delivery yesterday the guy stood considerably further back from the door than normal. Which was good because I had resolved to ask them to! I wondered whether that was his personal decision or whether they’d had a reminder to watch their distance.

@WanderingMilly

I've never stopped cleaning all my groceries, I've been doing it all the way through. And I don't just 'wipe down', I sterilise the lot with anti-bac, including shopping bags and the handles etc. Can never be too careful and it doesn't harm anyone else, even if others consider it neurotic... If you're worried, shielding, vulnerable or whatever, why not? Anything which makes you feel a bit safer....

Why anti-bac for a virus?

No

Yes I’ve started again due to the new strain I had stopped during the summer/autumn.

It takes 5 mins and makes me feel better/less anxious.