Now that I have had my first delivery of groceries and having watched that video, I have to say it is a bit anxiety producing. Of course things could change, but as of now the FDA says this:
A: Currently there is no evidence of food or food packaging being associated with transmission of COVID-19. Like other viruses, it is possible that the virus that causes COVID-19 can survive on surfaces or objects. For that reason, it is critical to follow the 4 key steps of food safety—
clean, separate, cook, and chill.
Here’s their
website in its entirety.
I’ve taken what I think are sensible steps based on that video, the FDA website, and what my son-in-law at the CDC says:
Leave stuff that doesn’t have to come into the house in the garage for a couple of days.
Wipe down big plastic containers
Wipe down anything that has to go into the refrigerator.
Wipe down counters and wash hands after all is put away.
What I found was that since my husband and I are self-isolating (he is at high risk), we had kind of gotten out of the hand-washing habit. Nothing was coming in or going out. Now we have gotten back into the swing of washing any time we touch anything that comes into the house (a delivery, mail). I think this is a realistic approach for me, given the fact that the virus won’t fly off the package, and even if it can be transmitted via packaging, I would have to get enough of it on my hands and then get it from there to my eyes or mouth.
And a PBS show has a segment on food safety.
https://www.splendidtable.org/episode/704
Same guy on a podcast for Serious Eats.
Questions about COVID-19 and food safety, answered.
www.seriouseats.com
These broadcasts have reduced the anxiety produced by the first video, so I guess the lesson is that we each need to strike the balance that works for us.