The holiday season is typically a time of year when food, family and fun surprises all work to beat back the darkness of winter. Even while strolling through a mall full of strangers, we seem to feel closer to others than usual. Purchases in hand, we anticipate gift exchanges and warm embraces.
That is, in a normal year.
Cases of COVID-19 have been growing in the U.S. Public health officials are urging us - limit some of the errands, embraces and gatherings. Among the groups experts are most worried about are seniors, and among the iffy activities, seasonal shopping can be either low or moderate risk. It comes down to this - the more people you interact with (and the closer that interaction, especially indoors), the higher your risk of getting or spreading COVID-19.
It might have you wondering if seasonal shopping and gift exchanges should be scaled back this year. Or maybe you're kicking around the idea of contactless or package delivery.
For all the enthusiastic gift-givers out there, let's consider how to make this a safe holiday shopping season.
- Online shopping and gift exchanges
No, it's not the Macy's flagship store after Thanksgiving, but eCommerce is a winter wonderland of sales all the same. Online shopping soared 45% in the spring (year-over-year) in part because package delivery has proven to be very low risk for COVID-19.
Video calling platforms like FaceTime, Echo, Portal, Zoom, Skype and others are also low risk. Many gift exchanges are moving online, where togetherness and caution coexist.
For inveterate shoppers who crave the full sensory experience of Christmastime commerce, there's a few easy steps to minimize exposure - yours, and others' - and retailers are shifting to meet consumers' new shopping demands with more curbside pickup, contactless checkout and delivery.
- In-person
First, the best agent to stop the spread of COVID-19 is you. Stay home if you have symptoms of COVID-19, have been diagnosed with COVID-19, are waiting for a COVID-19 test result or were in contact recently with someone with COVID-19.
The symptoms to watch for are fever (100.4 F or higher), cough, shortness of breath, new loss of taste or smell and a few others.
- Wear a mask
Early in the pandemic, health officials warned that touch transmission was the major route for getting COVID-19. Today, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says the risk of infection from COVID-19 from common shopping items such as food products, food packaging or bags is thought to be low. (But it's always important to follow good food safety practices.)
The evidence suggests that, indoors, respiratory droplets released when we sneeze, cough or even breathe are the chief contributors to the spread.
The way to stop it? Wear a face mask. Widespread mask adoption is believed to be the best way currently to prevent people who have COVID-19, including those who are pre-symptomatic or asymptomatic, from spreading the virus to others.
- Off times
Along with masks, we often hear about the importance of "social distancing." The idea is that the nearer a person gets to another, the more likely that airborne droplets will be exchanged.
Today, floor stickers and public service campaigns have helped all of us internalize the importance of not forming lines like we used to, and to give other shoppers a buffer in the aisles. The best way to do this? Go when few others do.
In general, major department stores and grocers get busier as the day goes on. For department stores, generally, the slowest times are weekdays before the afternoon rush hour. This is true for grocery stores, as well.
If you are at higher risk for severe illness, find out if the store has special hours for seniors and other people at higher risk. If they do, try to shop during those hours.
- Proper Hand Hygiene
Virtually nothing sold at stores is unavailable online, so why do we make the trip? To get hands-on, of course
Along with masks and social distancing, have a plan for keeping your hands germ-free before and after store visits.
- Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
- If you use a basket, ask if they are disinfected, or, if disinfecting wipes are offered, wipe down the places you will grab.
- Only touch products that you plan to purchase.
- Consider using touchless payment (pay without exchanging money or a keypad). If you must handle money or use a keypad, use hand sanitizer immediately after.
- Before entering and after exiting the grocery store or market, use a hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
- When you get home, and before preparing or eating food, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.
Wearing a mask, distancing and proper hand hygiene work together to lower the risk of transmission in the event a person encounters a COVID-19 spreader.
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