Many people are concerned about how to reduce their risk of exposure to virus or bacteria , including Covid 19 , from shopping and postal deliveries coming into your Home if you need Social Isolation or are Immune Suppressed.
Here is a round up of the suggestions of precautions you can take that are regularly used by Forum Members whom suffer from Immuno Deficiency illnesses to protect themselves in General.
1. Wear Disposable or Washing up Gloves to bring in your shopping or parcels . Wear a scarf for added protection if you require one, especially if you are suffering from an infection yourself.
2. Clean the outer plastic bags or box first , empty out the contents into a clear surface . Wipe clean packets , bottles and tins etc.
3. Clean then remove the packaging of perishable items or things for your fridge and put them in your own food bags or clean Tupperware containers.
4. Fruit and veg should be washed and wiped dry with kitchen paper , or things like bananas and oranges wiped clean.
5. For Cleaning if packages . Use antiviral wipes , or have a bowl of water ( not hot ) with a few squirts of handwashing soap , washing up liquid , antiviral wash or sterilising liquid and use a well wrung out cloth. Use a teatowel if things need drying but keep these cloths for this job . They will be rinsed out and also washed in the machine or by hand and dried between uses.
6. BEFORE REMOVING YOUR GLOVES. Put all empty packaging and the plastic carrier bags into the bin , even plastic bags for life . The bags can be used to double bag the other rubbish. If you have an infection current recommendations state that all rubbish leaving your home should be double bagged and a sign put on your bin to inform the rubbish removers.
7. After removing your rubbish , give the surfaces or table that you put your shopping on a good clean down.
8. Get the cloths you used and wash them out well in the bowl of water , rinse well under a tap and hang them to dry outside , or put them straight in the washing machine if you are going to do a wash.
9 . Wash around your bowl with a good scrub , pour out the water and rinse and scrub thoroughly again.
10. When all of this it done , DO NOT REMOVE YOUR GLOVES but do the " Happy Birthday Song X2" Wash while wearing them to be sure they are clean . Then take them off , dry them and put away. If you can , use separate gloves for cleaning jobs and washing your dishes .
11. Finally , Do the " Wash Song" again while washing your hands , put the kettle on and have a well deserved cuppa!!!
These routines are important for people find the Over 70's and those with reduced immunity from underlying health conditions , including those recovering from an infection ( including but not only Covid 19) , post surgery and injury or Cancer Treatment.
PS: Some people have shown concern about how to deal with Fresh Store Baked Bread Products . If you choose to buy these you can wipe the original packaging and put the food in your own bag and set aside for a few hours ( especially if the bread is still warm)) before preparing it for your bread bin, cutting or freezing.
You can also choose to buy part baked breads of all sorts in sealed packets that can be wiped and stored or frozen and then baked as required.
Or buy in the ingredients and make your own bread ( part bake too ) as a little Self Isolation Therapy. Gentle Bread Kneading sat at a table can be great exercise for hands , wrists , arms and the back with stiff , painful joint issues like RA and OA etc.
I hope this will help people feel more confident about receiving their Home Deliveries and would also like to thank Pixix for her contributions on this issue.
Take care and keep smiling xxx