Friend still washing shopping

[Lavender200]

Just that really, I'm wondering how I can help her?
I've tried to explain the risk through surface transmission was proven to be extremely low, but she doesn't believe me.

I'm amazed how many people DONT wash their fruit and veg.

There's not really anything you can do to help her.

Not something I do and obviously there is minimal risk of catching covid from it. In a weird way, it makes more sense to wash shopping now than it did for those doing it in 2020 as more chance of shopping being handled by a covid positive person before it reaches her. I couldn't get hit up about this. It's not like it impacts on anyone else and there is a rationale behind it.

I wonder what viruses and bacteria would be found if you swabbed your shopping. My deliveries often have meat juices, spilt milk, broken eggs, bruised fruit. Its not just covid and whats the harm in people taking precautions against picking up an illness.

I know someone who still does this, and is still very obsessed with surfaces being “infected”
truth is they have had ocd issues with germs etc for years and covid has just given them the chance green light normalise this behaviour.
I’d say anyone who’s still doing things like this had issues going back pre covid. Just let them be x

The restrictions are no longer needed because the vast majority of people are now vaccinated.

That is the valid reason for restrictions being lifted, because it’s slowed infections so much, and lessened the impact of catching it.

People can live their lives how they like, but it’s disingenuous to suggest restrictions were lifted for no good reason.

I do this and it’s not a mental health issue for me, it’s merely acknowledging that several people, some of who may not have clean hands - be it customers , shop assistants or delivery persons - will have touched packets and tins before they reach me. I clean my fridge and cupboard regularly and prefer to have clean things go inside them. Simple. It did start with Covid but I realised even if/when Covid goes it’s something I’d like to continue - so I have. It doesn’t take me long and doesn’t negatively adversely anyone so I don’t see the issue.

I was knocked out quite badly by Covid recently and am still suffering fatigue, have been unable to resume my workouts at the gym so far. So I have every sympathy for those who only want to meet outside, mask etc.

I did this for a long time knowing that if I got Covid it would likely be more severe than “ a cold” eventually I slipped back into normal life with the exception of continuing to WFH but ended up catching Covid last month - probably on the long train journey I took the night before I started feeling ill.

And to add my above posts, grocery items are often on the floor at one point and some warehouses may even have rats or mice. I don’t judge people who don’t mind all that though, but it’s perfectly reasonable that for some of us we’d rather give it all a quick wipe.

I agree.

@Mojoj

people who have illnesses for whom covid will cause them to be incredibly ill/die.

surface transmission is low risk, but it's not no risk.

she's washing her groceries, she's not hurting anyone, she's not asking anyone to do it for her.

when you have her reasons for doing it, then you get to judge/declare it a MH issue.

I've never washed my fruit and veg. I've reached the age of 60 with robust internal health.

It's your judgement that it's severe anxiety.

you don't know her situation. surface Transmission is low, it's not zero. She's allowed to be cautious about her risk level. If she has a condition that makes her vulnerable she's allowed to take whatever precautions SHE feels will help. She's washing her groceries, she's not asking anyone else to or demanding everyone else does.

of course I'd help my friend with severe anxiety, but there's nothing to say this woman has severe anxiety.

covid hasn't gone away, as much as some people would like to pretend it has.

Assuming she is fully vaccinated and not clinically vulnerable for some reason, this is irrational behaviour for which she needs help. Could she access counselling?

Wow. Are you not vaccinated?

God love her. So so sad to be still living like this nearly 3 years on.

I work in a health related helpline and you wouldn’t believe how many people i speak to who are still shielding. It’s absolutely nuts.

Good for you.

• It's your judgement that it's severe anxiety.

you don't know her situation. surface Transmission is low, it's not zero. She's allowed to be cautious about her risk level. If she has a condition that makes her vulnerable she's allowed to take whatever precautions SHE feels will help. She's washing her groceries, she's not asking anyone else to or demanding everyone else does.

of course I'd help my friend with severe anxiety, but there's nothing to say this woman has severe anxiety.

covid hasn't gone away, as much as some people would like to pretend it has.*

This

Or perhaps "nuts" that they've been provided nothing enough to provide them any reassurances or confidence this is the case?

Being concerned about household hygiene isn't a symptom of severe anxiety or poor mental health... to some it's common sense, others a non issue, so why would they be so prickly about it to the point of judging?
Genuine question!

@BCBird your friends tell you they test before they see you………

My DP is CEV and on medication which means despite 5 vaccinations (soon to be 6) he has no antibodies for Covid. He is still shielding and all groceries are delivered and washed in a weak bleach solution before being rinsed. He used to work in an industry where safety was taken very very (did I say very?) seriously although can no longer do the same work due to his condition.

Do you think they enjoy still living in this self imposed time-warp, or have they got MH issues ?

It’s a sign of anxiety or of delusional thinking. Nothing much to do other than treat your friend gently and continue to stay in touch. It can be a low level issue which is just part of her personality rather than anything clinical.

I’m assuming she’s washing things other than her fruit and veg (like cans and wrappers). If she’s washing her fruit and veg then that’s normal.

Well if they're friends they will be. Hardly friends if they're going to lie about it and be blasé about causing harm to someone they supposedly care about.

Actually I don't. There are many many things in life which can kill us. She's in no way affecting my life by washing her shopping. But equally, I am allowed to express my opinion that her health anxiety IS a MH issue.