Masks and disinfectant - where? (Cary: how much, pros and cons, prices)

[NM posts]

Originally Posted by hertfordshire

I would suggest using a paper shopping list for the time being. I know, I hate it too. I always use my phone. But when you're touching things in the store, you don't want to then touch your phone. (And you may want to go ahead and disinfect your phone now).

Yesterday I went to the store armed with a paper list, and I left my phone in the car. I have disinfecting wipes in the car, so as soon as I loaded my groceries and got in the car, I wiped my hands before touching anything, including my phone.

You're so right. I am a OneNote fanatic, so keep my list on there, and really didn't even think of the problem until I got there. I did heavily disinfect my phone. Will print the list...

[Poggly Woggly]

Originally Posted by NM posts

I think I will too! Yesterday I needed to go to the grocery store and I was really freaked out about it. I went at 8 a.m. with homemade mask and gloves - the gloves were a PITA as my shopping list is on my phone and I wanted produce. Gloves went in the trash. I wiped the cart and then wiped again because I'd only wiped the handle and I have a bad habit of grabbing other parts of the cart as I walk around. Sanitizer before I got in the car then must have washed my hands 10 times in various stages of grocery unloading. Oh my GOD it seemed so ridiculous, but sadly it really wasn't ridiculous.

I’m try to wipe everything I touch from the time I put my grocery cart up until I get the groceries put up at home. That’s a lot of things too...but that’s the way it’ll be for now.

[poppydog]

Ugh, I was going to try ordering online for pickup from Harris Teeter and all the pickup slots through next Sunday are full at all the 5 or 6 HTs nearest me. Guess I won't be going that route...

[NM posts]

Originally Posted by twingles

Aside from actually getting the 'Rona, the worst thing about this is not having to stay home, the school shenanigans or wondering when it will all be over, it is definitely the decontamination protocol when bringing things into the house. I will never take the simple ease of coming home and storing things for granted again!

Right? And it really makes me not want to bother going to the store, so that's added incentive to stay home. I bought a lot this last trip so am hoping that is that for a while.

[Edward Teach]

Originally Posted by poppydog

Ugh, I was going to try ordering online for pickup from Harris Teeter and all the pickup slots through next Sunday are full at all the 5 or 6 HTs nearest me. Guess I won't be going that route...

Try Instacart.

[GreenFive]

Originally Posted by twingles

Aside from actually getting the 'Rona, the worst thing about this is not having to stay home, the school shenanigans or wondering when it will all be over, it is definitely the decontamination protocol when bringing things into the house. I will never take the simple ease of coming home and storing things for granted again!

What are you (and others) doing with fresh produce? Are you using sanitizing wipes on them? (I am concerned that whatever chemicals might be on the wipes staying on the produce).

My last trip I cleaned & rinsed all fresh produce in salt water - it took forever. Next trip is coming up this week and I am reading up on what else I can do.

[Poggly Woggly]

Originally Posted by GreenFive

What are you (and others) doing with fresh produce? Are you using sanitizing wipes on them? (I am concerned that whatever chemicals might be on the wipes staying on the produce).

My last trip I cleaned & rinsed all fresh produce in salt water - it took forever. Next trip is coming up this week and I am reading up on what else I can do.

We’re passing on fresh produce for the time being...except for lettuce. We pull off the leaves as we use it and soak in cold water.

[marialidia]

Originally Posted by GreenFive

What are you (and others) doing with fresh produce? Are you using sanitizing wipes on them? (I am concerned that whatever chemicals might be on the wipes staying on the produce).

Here's our system:


We have an old refrigerator/ freezer in the garage. That's our "dirty" refrigerator. Unwashed produce such as zucchini, bok choi, celery, carrots, beets etc. go in there.



Generally we don't want to wash things until we use them, or are about to use them. We have a plastic tub dedicated to this purpose. When we bring things in, either to use them or to store them in the kitchen refrigerator, and depending on what the item is, we wash it thoroughly. That's enough if I'm cooking them -- I wash off residue, chop or slice, then thoroughly wash off the cutting board, knife, etc.


Anything that's not cooked (and we are eating less of these things) is very carefully washed, even in a weak solution of bleach and water. This is what we did in the many years I lived in developing countries in Asia and Africa.


Citrus fruits, potatoes, onions, etc. are brought into the house and stored as we normally do. Oranges, lemons, etc. are washed before using.


We've also decided that frozen vegetables are our friends these days. They are generally packed without a great deal of human contact, and are cooked before eating.

[JaPaKoMom]

The only fresh items I have been purchasing are wrapped items or if they have a peel on the outside. Frozen and canned veggies are making a comeback.

[poppydog]

I've been getting my produce from our local Farmer's Markets, direct from the farmer. It goes through far fewer hands that way and we are outside. I wash it all as soon as I come home and then it's ready to use whenever we want. We've got plenty of food, just kinda wanted to get some other stuff and packaged things from HT, but I can wait.