How to stay safe when doing ‘essential’ errands

Most Americans and all New Yorkers are under orders to leave home only to get essential supplies like food, gas, medication, or for medical services. Here’s how to navigate some common issues and stay safe when on errands: 

Limit trips, shop during off-peak times, and keep your distance 

Because COVID-19 is most easily spread through respiratory droplets between people in close physical contact, keeping a distance, avoiding crowds, and minimizing trips out is critical. 

Use a list to plan ahead and buy enough food and supplies for at least one week, if not two. Do all errands on the same trip, during off-peak times if possible. Many grocery stores now offer shopping hours exclusively for older adults.   

Give yourself extra time to shop and possibly wait in line, and keep your distance from workers and fellow shoppers. To facilitate social distancing, some stores in New York City are limiting the number of people who can enter at once. 

Try delivery for groceries and medicines 

The New York City Department of Health recommends using delivery services when possible. Most major grocery stores across the country offer delivery, either directly or through a third-party service, and many pharmacies in New York State have agreed to offer free home delivery. 

Wearing masks and gloves  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends covering our mouth and nose in public with a cloth when it is difficult to stay six feet or more apart from others. New York City health officials recommend that residents wear a face covering whenever leaving home. The mask should fit securely against the face and be secured around the ears, and washed afterwards. Surgical masks and N-95 respirators should be reserved for healthcare workers. Learn more about how to fashion your own mask here.

The CDC has not made recommendations about wearing gloves, and experts say washing hands frequently is a better prevention method.

Dealing with shopping carts, ATMs, and other surfaces 

A typical shopping trip puts us in contact with all kinds of surfaces others have touched — shopping cart handles, ATM buttons, gas pumps, even cash. 

Touching a surface and then putting your hands on your eyes, nose, or mouth is not believed to be the main way the virus spreads, but it’s important to always avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, according to the CDC. Wash hands for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water after getting home. 

Wiping down surfaces with disinfectant wipes or a sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol is fine, but not necessary. 

Handling food and packaging 

Wash your hands before and after handling food and any type of packaging, and practice normal food hygiene with the Food and Drug Administration’s “Four steps to food safety”: clean, separate, cook, and chill. 

Some people may choose to disinfect packaging, though experts say it’s not necessary, since there’s no evidence it is involved in the transmission of COVID-19, according to the FDA. 

Don’t hoard 

There is no need to hoard food, toilet paper, or other supplies, as there is no disruption to the U.S. food supply chain, according to the FDA. Two weeks’ worth of food on hand is plenty.  

Stay home if you’re sick 

Stay home, even if you have “mild” symptoms, like headache, low-grade fever, or slightly runny nose, advises the World Health Organization.