COVID-19 and groceries: What you should know

It is, indeed, possible for coronavirus to live on groceries, but there are steps shoppers can take to reduce the risk of unwittingly bringing the virus into their home. (Image via Shutterstock)

By Mike Scott, mscott@stph.org

As Americans settle in for another month of self-isolation in the interest of keeping their homes free of the COVID-19 coronavirus, many are taking advantage of the rejuvenating power of sunshine – whether through a daily walk, a bit of gardening work or some other outdoor activity.

But that’s not all the sun is good for when it comes to beating COVID-19, according to St. Tammany Health System infectious disease specialist Mike Hill MD.

During a guest appearance Thursday morning (April 2) on The Lake 94.7 FM, Hill was asked about the possibility that the virus could be brought into someone’s home on the groceries they buy. While acknowledging that it’s a possibility, Hill said people can use the sun to reduce those chances.

“I’m not suggesting this is the cure-all,” Hill said, “but sunlight actually kills the virus. So, anytime you put anything into your windows or into the sunshine, UV light from the sun will kill the virus. So that’s another mechanism you can use – actually a natural mechanism – to kill the virus.

“If you wanted to put your fruit and vegetables outside on a table before you bring them inside, get some sunshine on them, that might be a good idea. I can’t do anything about the pollen out there, but certainly sun is good.”

Of course, none of that will do much good if you don’t follow the first rule of COVID-19 prevention: handwashing.

“What I’m recommending is, after you take the vegetables out or you take your groceries out, you sanitize your hands well,” Hill said. “I think the grocery store and everybody else is doing a great job in making sure they’re being careful as possible, but just that added layer of security of handwashing, hand-sanitizing after handling groceries is going to be very, very important.”

And when he says handwashing, he means washing with soap, water and friction for at least 20 seconds. If soap and water isn’t available, then use a hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol content.

Also, he said, countertops and other hard surfaces that come into contact with groceries should be wiped down with a 10 percent bleach solution.

Of course, that all comes with the caveat that people should be staying at home except for necessary tasks, like going to work or shopping for groceries. If you need to go out, Hill reiterated that you should stay at least 6 feet from other people to reduce your chance of contracting the virus.

“Within your own family and household, it’s fine,” he said, “but outside the household, the 6-foot distance is certainly very important.”

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