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Most Americans and all New Yorkers are under orders to leave home only to get essential supplies like food, gas, medication, or for medical services. Here’s how to navigate some common issues and stay safe when on errands:
BecauseCOVID-19 is most easily spreadthrough respiratory droplets between people in close physical contact, keeping a distance, avoiding crowds, and minimizing trips out is critical.
Use a list to plan ahead and buy enough food and supplies for at least one week, if not two. Do all errands on the same trip, during off-peak times ifpossible.Manygrocerystores.
Give yourself extra time to shop and possibly wait in line, and keep your distance from workers and fellow shoppers. To facilitatesocial distancing, some stores in New York City arelimitingthe number of people who can enter at once.
Theusing delivery services when possible. Most major, either directly or through a third-party service, andhave agreed to offer free home delivery.
The Centers for Disease Control and Preventionrecommends covering our mouth and nosein public with a cloth when it is difficult to stay six feet or more apart from others. New York City health officialsthat residents wear a face covering whenever leaving home. The mask should fit securely against the face and be secured around the ears, and washed afterwards. Surgical masks and N-95 respirators should be reserved for healthcare workers.
The CDC has not made recommendations about wearing gloves, and experts say washing hands frequently is a better prevention method.
A typical shopping trip puts us in contact with all kinds of surfaces others have touched — shopping cart handles, ATM buttons, gas pumps, even cash.
Touching a surface and then putting your hands on your eyes, nose, or mouth, but it’s important to always avoid touching your face with unwashed hands, according tothe CDC.for at least 20 seconds with soap and hot water after getting home.
Wiping down surfaces with disinfectant wipes ora sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcoholis fine, but not necessary.
Wash your hands before and after handling food and any type of packaging, and practice normal food hygiene with the Food and Drug Administration’s “Four steps to food safety”:.
Some people may choose to disinfect packaging, though experts sayit’s not necessary, since there’s noevidenceit is involved in the transmission of COVID-19,according to the FDA.
There is no need to hoard food, toilet paper, or other supplies, as there is no disruption to the U.S. food supply chain,according to the FDA. Two weeks’ worth of food on hand is plenty.
Stay home, even if you have “mild” symptoms, like headache, low-grade fever, or slightly runny nose, advises the.
All of us atAVоunderstand that this is a difficult time for all New Yorkers. As experts in immunology, pulmonary medicine, and critical care medicine, we are working diligently to provide the greatest possible care to patients in need.
We are available to all NewYorkerswho have questions or concerns. Please call our hotline at (646) 697-4000 for information about COVID-19 or read ourpatient guide.
