I live alone in and have no relatives and no friends, so I need to go shopping but I am scared to go. Do you think it is safe for me to go shopping at the supermarket now?
I need to shop for groceries but I am afraid of catching COVID-19 virus, am I being irrational?
I am a vegetarian male live alone in Chicago. I usually shop every other week for about 4 hours.
I eat salad items which only last a week, I also have COPD and I'm 86 years old.
Is it safe to go to the supermarket, as I usually do?
MEALS ON WHEELS? Can they deliver more than just a fews days of meals? Ask Salvation Army?
Wash hands as soon as get home. Consider wearing a mask if you can get one - we are advices NOT to unless medical reason (which you do).
Our big supermarkets have started a 'community time' 7am-8am for seniors & disabled. Trolleys wiped down & shelves restocked ready (apparently). Then the general masses may enter after 8am.
Spread the word & get this happening if you think it could work in your area.
Honestly if you can afford it, order groceries online with your local grocery store. COPD is a very serious condition and this new virus is especially hard for people with respiratory illnesses. If you are unsure how to order online, try calling your store to ask.
So I decided to try their home delivery via a truck. The first slot that was opened was for late next week. With the truck delivery, the pickers pick items from a large warehouse setting so I believe chances are a bit better of receiving the items I would want. It will be interesting to see how this delivery works out.
I went to buy baby supplies for my grandson. The store I stopped at only had one container of his formula on the shelf and then sachets of one bottle's worth of formula. I will be heading out tomorrow to another store to see if I can find more.
I do not understand why people who do not have a baby would buy formula? There was a sign by the bum wipes limiting to 2 packages. Those wipes are not sanitizer wipes, so why are people buying them?
Our local dairy, that does delivery is expanding their service area and product lines to get food to customers.
+ can you get some help from a social worker for ordering paying/online? It can also be remotely, he doesn't need to come to your place.
+ if you are able to pay online the shops, remember that you can also get delivery separately, as a service per se, from an external delivery company. This can be an idea if the supermarkets delivery slots will be too full. In an emergency, you can even call a taxi to pick up the bags for you.
+ if ^ this is not possible try to call your local food shop (not the supermarket, a smaller shop) and organize a regular delivery to pay in cash. You can ask to leave the food in front of the door and slip the money under the door.
+ wash all fresh food like vegetables and fruits with hot water and soap. Disinfect tins and plastic boxes. Put in quarantine for 5 days -possibly out of the house - cardboard and anything that you can't sterilise. I know this ^ sounds extreme but sometimes you really want to lower the risks to the max. I'm currently trying to stretch it to 9 days, but I'm especially paranoid atm, I think that 5 should be enough. All this is very stressful and time consuming, but it makes me feel better, and that's very important now.
Also, find someone who can check on you on the phone daily, this will be important as food. Sending you lots of strenght, keep us posted!
If you have a N95 mask...use it. It is still only 95percent filtering for virus (hence the 95 part of the name). Also, if you have goggles use it. (It completely surrounds the eyes so no air will pass through). One common means of infection is by getting some virus in your eyes.
Stay away from people. Use the self check out so you are not close to a clerk. Insist that people stand back from you...or move if someone gets too close. Although, I think it is important to remind people that the distance is for everyone's health. Bring soapy paper towels with you (soap is more effective that disinfection wipes). Wash your hands with it for 20 seconds. Do not put your hands near your face. Before you get into your car....wash your hands again. When you get home....first wash your hands, unpack groceries and wash again. Wipe down any packaging that you can.
The latest medical studies in the British Medical Journal says that the most common way to catch this is by being within 6 feet of some with the virus. The second most common way is through contact with contaminated surfaces.
There is many contradictory evidence that the virus will survive 4 hours, 4 - 5 days, even 9 days on hard surfaces. Just pretend every surface has viable virus on it and act accordingly.
no one can ever be 100% safe if they are going out amoung strangers. Just do the best your can and wash your hands.
Can you contact your Rabbi or faith leader? Maybe they can send someone to bring you groceries?
Just yesterday, I saw a neighbor go to another neighbor's home and leave with some toilet paper and a few things in her arms.
If things get bad, neighbors will pull together more. Do you have some things to trade? It is okay if you don't have anything.
If your state too goes for advising the over 70s to stay indoors, I would expect your Area Agency on Aging to be organising extra support and assistance for isolated elders. Give them a call or keep an eye on their website.
I would not go grocery shopping right now if I were at high risk. When I do go into stores I keep my distance from other people and use the self-checkout so I don't have to stand in a line and make contact with the checker and bagger. If you have a delivery or pick-up option where you live, I wouldn't go into a store.
I'm in southern California and my Nextdoor group has created a "Needs" thread where people can post requests. It's been nice to see dozens of people offering to shop or run errands, especially now that seniors in our state have been urged to remain at home.
Here is a link that explains how to join Nextdoor:
https://help.nextdoor.com/s/article/How-to-join-Nextdoor?language=en_US
for shipping.
Iv'e been wondering too.
I'm almost 60 and I have COPD and I'm scared about going to the grocery store too.
Thanks for asking it.I bet we get some good answers to help us.I appreciate it~