Forum Topic

How to protect yourselves from  Virus when shopping online or instore

I have a relative who is a virologist studying how long the virus stays on surfaces. He has given us useful advice. Wipe trolley handles doown with disinfectant wipes. . Wear gloves. Wipe car handles and boot handlesDon’t put shopping bags on tables. Floor is better. If you can unpack non perishables and leave in garage or garden for a few hours If not wash them in soapy water. Take off all plastic out wrap.  Apparently the latter is particularly important. As for online food shopping or postal deliveries.  Have deliveries left on doorstep  Handle with gloves.  Wash outer packaging where possible. Wash all fruit and veg and salad before useThe virus can linger in cold temperatures so clean fridge regularly. Wash wash and wash your hands. Don’t touch your face.

Sean Wales ● 2420d11 Comments

I'm thinking about newspapers, magazines ... I take my shoes off as soon as I get home by leaving them at the entrance. Pavements are not clean. I try not to reuse them in less than 24 hours. Clothes the same. I alternate them, if I can. I think airing is good.In my opinion, people should also think about pets? Keep them clean.

Maria Clemente ● 2420d

A sensible helpful post, thanks Sean, I have been putting parcels aside for a few days.

Janice Evans ● 2420d

A good post SeanBut creates a few questions.Clean car door handles, with what? I haven't got any disinfectant wipes.Do you have to clean cardboard box?Do you have to leave you online delivery out in the back garden for 24 hours while its raining?

Bernard Allen ● 2420d

Thank you for this - useful information.  I read that George Osborne plans to deliver the Standard free:'Next week @EveningStandard will be delivered directly to 100,000s of homes - to reach readers who aren’t now on the tube. We’re delivering copies to many supermarkets too. For 193 years we’ve stood with London during wars and terrorism - we stand with London again in this crisis.' - as I understand it, the virus can live on cardboard for 24 hours, so I assume the same on paper. 

Kathy Burges ● 2420d

You can iron newspapers and even post (but not the plastic see through windows on some envelopes) - a hot iron will kill off the virus but not kill the paper.Wash your hands after handling paper/post etc. and after the ironing.Sounds daft maybe - but it works.

Delilah Hall ● 2420d

If You don’t have disinfectant wipes You can use a teaspoon of bleach in water yes it does survive on cardboard and paper so very tricky for us all but leaving aside in garage or a porch as long as possible helps. Somebody made the point that shoes earlier and having just been in the front garden doing some work when somebody passed coughing and spluttering and spitting on the pavement making me run a mile I think removing shoes is imperative. My virologist friend also said if you have dogs take special care is with their paws after walking them

Sean Wales ● 2420d

Bernard, wear gloves, washable ones.

Janice Evans ● 2420d

I was surprised to hear that petrol stations and pumps are a apparently a particular strong breeding ground for the virus as for some reason I would have thought the fuel would have killed off the virus . No . So when u refuel it would be advisable to wear disposable gloves . U can if u can find them buy a box for about a tenner . A line the hardware store off Portobello Rd had them yesterday

John Martin ● 2420d

We are wearing gloves as we leave the car and remove when return to the car,  take a few pairs out with you and a bag for the used gloves, wash them following day.

Janice Evans ● 2420d

Should we be wearing face masks when visiting supermarket even if we are o.k just as a precaution.

Janice Evans ● 2420d

Thank you Sean and Janice Will use you info

Bernard Allen ● 2420d