Getting food to an isolated high risk household?

runswithascript

There are two of us, both have genetic lung conditions, one with a second long term illness and the other at further risk because of age.

We are in a position where we have been able to not leave the house since Friday, other than a few 6am runs on a deserted rural road, and we are not having any visitors. Soon we will need to get more food in, and I am trying to decide on the safest option.

As I am younger with a stronger immune system, I had initially thought I should go to the supermarket as early as possible, though early mornings are now limited to elderly or their carers in some supermarkets on some days. I am unsure if I would qualify as a carer, as I am not officially so. This allows me to pick the freshest of produce, checking dates on berries and milk etc, though increases my contact with others.

Instead if we opt for delivery or 'click and collect', most likely whoever puts our order together will not be trying to get the freshest available, and I expect will not take as much care with the food as I would personally.

As precaution, I will be wearing disposable gloves handling the food, and leaving it either in the car boot or the shed for several days so if there is any virus on surfaces it will have denatured. It is likely things like milk and meat will be wiped down with wipes/disinfectant and brought into the house instead. I am considering wearing a mask to the supermarket if I go, even though I know they are primarily to stop those already infected passing it on, the WHO recommends it for those healthy taking care of someone infected, so it must offer some level of protection.

Are any of you in a similar position, and if so what are you doing for food?

Fr_Dougal

Generally Click and Collect pickers pick the freshest of fruit and veg, it’s their policy.

runswithascript

Fr_Dougal wrote: »

Generally Click and Collect pickers pick the freshest of fruit and veg, it’s their policy.

Do you know which supermarkets specifically do have that policy?

Are you aware if this is also the policy for deliveries?

It would be great if all supermarkets could start delivering and offering click and collect. This would also limit the contact of supermarket workers to the public.

TheBoyConor

Keep a few buckets of dettol solution or dilute bleach in a room in the house that is suitably located to be normally out of bounds and to be used for decontamination only.

Any items brought in can be disinfected there. Sealed items can be dipped in the bucket and then set aside to drain and dry. Other items can be wiped down with a disinfecting sponge or cloth.

Don't be leaving groceries in the shed as you are likely putting yourself at risk of Weils disease or other infections.

Buy a HEPA air purifier with UV disinfection and set it centrally in the house and let it run 24/7 to reduce the amount of pollutants in the household and hopefully catch any particularly harmful pathogens that make it inside.

Buy a strong UV lamp and set it for an hour morning and evening in the main living area and kitchen of the house.

Fr_Dougal

runswithascript wrote: »

Do you know which supermarkets specifically do have that policy?

Are you aware if this is also the policy for deliveries?

It would be great if all supermarkets could start delivering and offering click and collect. This would also limit the contact of supermarket workers to the public.

Tesco are certainly one: https://www.tesco.ie/groceries/zones/default.aspx?name=quality-and-freshness

krissovo

Lots of local help available appearing on leaflets and facebook etc for situations just like yours. You should check your local groups as I am sure someone will help.

Jim_Hodge

Many GAA clubs have set up help groups. Look locally. Even neighbours will be willing to help.

jam_mac_jam

I would order online rather than go out yourself. I have never seen bad quality food in anything delivered in the past. I have ordered from Supervalu quite often.

They also offer collection in some of their supermarkets.

AulWan

Check out this website. You can put in a request for help and there may be someone in your area.

Coronavirus Isolation Community Helpers - https:/randall.ie/help/