Groceries and Carona!

[W1984]

Guys, I just spent an hour cleaning my groceries from the grocery store and I still don’t feel safe! I’m so afraid to catch this virus and give it to someone it’s ridiculous! I almost mopped my floor just because I went to the store and came home, afraid the virus was on my shoes! But I am trying to stay strong and not! Anyone else having these issue!

[Acb0010]

This is an OCD nightmare for a lot of people. Practice what you already know to do with contamination fears! Do be cautious in that you follow the rules laid out at this time, but also know this is not in your control. You may possibly get or give this to someone. Sit with the anxiety and do not respond to it. You will make it through!

[Acb0010]

And good for you for resisting the urge to mop! You’re doing the best you can in a very uncertain time!

[W1984 in reply to Acb0010]

Thankyou so much! You are kind to reply. I will continue in my efforts to beat this horrible illness and try to remain strong as possible.

[MothFir]

From reading various forums it seems like folks with OCD are reacting to coronavirus by either 1) staying in a high state of anxiety or 2) being strangely unaffected by it (i.e., no more than a non-OCD person). Fortunately, for whatever reason, I've generally fallen in the second category, but I have a lot of sympathy for those who are struggling.

I agree with Acb0010. Accept that it is possible you will get or transmit the virus, but follow the official recommendations to minimize the chances of that happening. That's all you can do. Don't go beyond reasonable precautions just to "be sure." Any urge to do more than that is OCD and can be treated as such. Your mental health is important too.

For what it's worth, there are epidemiologists and virologists who downplay the need to disinfect grocery packaging, even though it may contain the virus. Their recommendation is to just wash your hands after you handle the packaging. I have personally taken this approach, because I know that (as someone with contamination OCD) the whole process of disinfecting everything could be a rabbit hole for me. I can imagine myself getting done disinfecting all the groceries, then wondering if I did this or that item "enough." Did I miss any spots? Then I'd start redoing some items, and it would never end.

Just out of curiosity, how does shopping go for you? I went and got a couple weeks' worth on Friday after trying unsuccessfully to schedule a delivery. More than half the customers were wearing masks (like me) and most were doing a good job distancing. But there's always a few that seem unaware or unconcerned that anything unusual is going on!

[W1984 in reply to MothFir]

Thankyou so much for your kind response. Shopping is very difficult for me. I wear my mask but see so many that don’t, and don’t social distance. Some of the workers even don’t have masks or gloves on. So that scares me. But I am determined not to become agoraphobic so I make myself go, but only when necessary.

[Buginmybrain]

I know exactly how you are feeling! I'm doing the same! Years ago, I had overcome washing off my groceries other than fruits and veggies. For years, I would spend an hour after returning home with groceries washing them for fear of the what ifs. You aren't alone!

Please take a look at two of my videos about my own personal experiences with this. Thanks!!

youtu.be/__YHPivJjFs(Not working as expected?)

youtu.be/_-Cho-UmnDc(Not working as expected?)

[LuvSun in reply to Buginmybrain]

Love the videos- you think the same way I do 😩

[faithheals]

Yes - I have issues sanitizing groceries. I think its good to do, but I need to reduce some. Some info I found: CDC has info on products that are EFFECTIVE against corona. It is a lengthy list and goes by EPA #, which is a number on cleaning chemical packages/containers - EPA is Environmental Protection Agency. I still sanitize with Kirkland Signature wipes because they are on the list of EPA approved products effective against Coronavirus.

The surgeon general sanitizes his groceries. I do and it tends to overwhelm me though. I'm thinking I should cut back and am trying to think it out rationally.

I heard that the sanitation product works as long as you wet the surface & let it air dry. I heard that aerosol sprays might be better, but I don't know if that's true. My wipes are EPA rated to kill coronavirus. I would not wipe too much though - make sure you see the surface is wet & let it dry. A question for you to think about: are you in a vulnerable population - someone over a certain age or lung disease. If your not, you can reassure yourself that you are safer than you think. I am finding to limit my groceries to once a week and learn to live with what I have in the house.

[W1984]

Thankyou guys for all of your responses! Y’all are so great!