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As many of us are running out of food at home, facing empty shelves and long lines at the grocery store, and wanting to support our local restaurant economy in this difficult time, ordering take-out from your favorite local spots seems like a great idea. Right?
Well–the answer is more complex. While experts say that you *can* safely order food for pick-up during the COVID-19 outbreak, you must practice caution and shouldn’t do it for every meal.
Professor of public health Jagdish Khubchandani warns against the risks of using carryout or delivery as the sole means of getting food while in quarantine as it poses certain health risks.
"Viral particles can be passed on food containers or food," he explains exclusively to SheFinds, "So, eating out is okay when it's absolutely necessary, but not daily."
"The frequency should be reduced," he warns--and not just because of the novel coronavirus outbreak.
"Approximately, 20-30% Americans have food borne illnesses every year. Food service workers have almost similar prevalence of food borne illnesses. So, there is a general risk," he explains.
"While we have regulations in place, food service workers may often work while being sick and may not practice all recommended behaviors."
Economic stress and fear of losing their jobs may also drive workers to show up when they're not feeling well. "Another concern is not knowing how fresh the food is, when it was made, or if any workers may be asymptomatic. " Yikes!
So--what should you do?
Buy gift cards. The best way to support your local restaurants is to purchase gift cards that can be used at a later date. This provides revenue to the business without putting any workers in harm's way. You can also give them to others as gifts!
See what safety measures they're taking. Essential businesses are required to follow certain social distancing protocol in order to stay open, and this includes restaurants and food establishments. Before placing your order, check to make sure that they are taking the necessary steps to keep you safe. The new policies should be posted on the company's facade, website or social media accounts. For example, are they requiring customers to line up six feet apart at the takeout window? These precautions can make a huge difference.
Wear a face covering. Follow CDC guidelines for running essential errands yourself--wear a cloth face covering and stand 6 feet apart from others in line.
