CDC Advice On Running Essential Errands

Credit CDC


#15,180

This morning marks the 100th day since I awoke at 2am to find a message from Sharon Sanders on FluTrackers alerting me to curious report out of Wuhan China regarding 27 cases of unidentified pneumonia. 

Since then, the world has changed in ways that few could have imagined, and we find ourselves trying to find new, and safer, ways to do the kind of mundane tasks that 3 months ago we would never have given a second thought. 

I've left my home just 3 times in the past 3 weeks (excerpt for brief solo walks) - always for less than an hour - and only for essentials (2 grocery runs, 1 Rx pickup). All of my social contacts for the past month have been via Skype, facebook, or phone, and I've used Amazon delivery more in the past 30 days than I have in the past 6 months.

Since I'm retired and live alone,  I've kept busy scouring the news, writing blogs, reading the latest scientific studies, and hand crafting a half-dozen cloth face coverings, while at the same time indulging in some `non-pandemic' activities to decompress and preserve some semblance of mental health; reading fiction, watching old Marx Brothers movies, and playing (quite badly, I'm afraid) my ukulele. 

Compared to most people, I've got it pretty easy.  I don't have to go to work, or have kids at home, I've never been one to `go out' unless it was for a special occasion, I've several close friends I talk to regularly, and I've never had a problem entertaining myself. 

I was a semi-recluse before it became fashionable. 

For others, navigating this brave new world is much more difficult,  particularly for essential workers, who can't stay home.  But there are plenty of others who must venture out periodically in order to shop, fuel up their cars, or visit the doctor.

Yesterday the CDC published some advice on how to do these once-routine tasks more safely during a pandemic.  I suspect that even once this first pandemic wave subsides, we'll need to continue to follow many of these practices for months to come.

Running Essential Errands
Grocery Shopping, Take-Out, Banking, Getting Gas, and Doctor Visits.
As communities across the United States take steps to slow the spread of COVID-19 by limiting close contact, people are facing new challenges and questions about how to meet basic household needs, such as buying groceries and medicine, and completing banking activities. The following information provides advice about how to meet these household needs in a safe and healthy manner.

Find additional information for people who are at higher risk for severe illness from COVID-19.

Shopping for food and other household essentials

• Avoid shopping if you have a fever, cough, or shortness of breath.

• If possible, order food and other items online for home delivery or curbside pickup.

• Only visit the grocery store, or other stores selling household essentials, in person when you absolutely need to. This will limit your potential exposure to others and the virus that causes COVID-19.

• When you do have to visit in person, go during hours when fewer people will be there (for example, early morning or late night).

• Here are ways to protect yourself while shopping:

• Stay at least 6 feet away from others while shopping and in lines.

• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when you have to go out in public.

• If you are at higher risk for severe illness, find out if the store has special hours for people at higher risk. If they do, try to shop during those hours. People at higher risk for severe illness include adults 65 or older and people of any age who have serious underlying medical conditions.

• Disinfect the shopping cart, use disinfecting wipes if available.

• Cover coughs and sneezes.

• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

• If possible, use touchless payment (pay without touching money, a card, or a keypad). If you must handle money, a card, or use a keypad, use hand sanitizer right after paying.

• After leaving the store, use hand sanitizer. When you get home, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

• At home, follow food safety guidelines: clean, separate, cook, chill. There is no evidence that food or food packaging has been linked to getting sick from COVID-19.

Accepting deliveries and takeout orders

• If possible, pay online or on the phone when you order.

• Accept deliveries without in-person contact whenever possible. Ask for deliveries to be left in a safe spot outside your house (such as your front porch or lobby), with no person-to-person interaction. Otherwise, stay at least 6 feet away from the delivery person.

• After receiving your delivery or bringing home your takeout food, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds. If soap and water are not available, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

• After collecting mail from a post office or home mailbox, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds or use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Banking

• Bank online whenever possible.

• If you must visit the bank, use the drive-through ATM if one is available. Clean the ATM keyboard with a disinfecting wipe before you use it.

• When you are done, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.

Getting gasoline

• If available, use gloves or disinfecting wipes on handles and buttons before you touch them.

• After fueling, use a hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol. Wash your hands for at least 20 seconds when you get home or somewhere with soap and water.

Going to the doctor or getting medicine

• Visit the doctor when you need to, but only when you need to. Use telemedicine, if available, or contact your doctor or nurse by phone or e-mail.

• If you must visit the doctor, follow recommendations to protect yourself:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a cloth face covering when you have to go out in public.

• Do not touch your eyes, nose, or mouth.

• If available, use disinfecting wipes on frequently touched surfaces such as handles, knobs, touchpads.

• Stay at least 6 feet away from others while inside and in lines.

• When paying, use touchless payment methods if possible. If you cannot use touchless payment, sanitize your hands after paying with card, cash, or check. Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home.

• If you think you have COVID-19, let the office know and follow guidance.

• Talk to your doctor about rescheduling procedures that are not urgently needed.

• If possible, plan to order and pick up all your prescriptions at the same time.

• If possible, call prescription orders in ahead of time. Use drive-thru windows, curbside services (wait in your car until the prescription is ready), mail-order, or other delivery services. Do the same for pet medicine.

• Check with your doctor and pharmacist to see if you can get a larger supply of your medicines so you do not have to visit the pharmacy as often.

If you or a member of your household has signs of COVID-19, call your doctor first, instead of going to the office or the emergency department. Call 911 if you believe it is an emergency. See also: What to do if you are sick.