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What to Know Before Going to the Grocery Store in California What to Know Before Going to the Grocery Store in California
(1 day later)
Good morning.Good morning.
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As millions of Californians adjust to a surreal, new, locked-down existence — an existence in which Gov. Gavin Newsom said public schools are likely to be closed for the rest of the year — one place has continued to draw crowds: the local supermarket.As millions of Californians adjust to a surreal, new, locked-down existence — an existence in which Gov. Gavin Newsom said public schools are likely to be closed for the rest of the year — one place has continued to draw crowds: the local supermarket.
In the Bay Area, where “shelter in place” orders are keeping residents homebound except for “essential” trips, grocery stores, farmers’ markets and pharmacies are some of the only places people can go.In the Bay Area, where “shelter in place” orders are keeping residents homebound except for “essential” trips, grocery stores, farmers’ markets and pharmacies are some of the only places people can go.
[Here’s what you need to know about coronavirus in California.][Here’s what you need to know about coronavirus in California.]
In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti stood with representatives of the grocery store industry in a video briefing on Monday aimed at reassuring Angelenos that the food supply is stable and urging us not to hoard things we don’t really need.In Los Angeles, Mayor Eric Garcetti stood with representatives of the grocery store industry in a video briefing on Monday aimed at reassuring Angelenos that the food supply is stable and urging us not to hoard things we don’t really need.
Dr. John Swartzberg, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, told me packed supermarkets could be the “site of the greatest risk to having social distancing work.”Dr. John Swartzberg, a professor of infectious diseases at the University of California, Berkeley, School of Public Health, told me packed supermarkets could be the “site of the greatest risk to having social distancing work.”
People lined up outside the stores to shop, people waiting to check out: “It’s exactly what we railed against with the Warriors and the San Jose Sharks,” he said. “It has to be fixed, and it has to be fixed ASAP.”People lined up outside the stores to shop, people waiting to check out: “It’s exactly what we railed against with the Warriors and the San Jose Sharks,” he said. “It has to be fixed, and it has to be fixed ASAP.”
[Read more about which places are at risk of running out of hospital beds as the coronavirus spreads.][Read more about which places are at risk of running out of hospital beds as the coronavirus spreads.]
Although the shelter-in-place orders have made the situation more urgent, almost a week ago — when we asked for your questions about the outbreak — readers told us they wanted to know how people could minimize their risk if they have to go to the store.Although the shelter-in-place orders have made the situation more urgent, almost a week ago — when we asked for your questions about the outbreak — readers told us they wanted to know how people could minimize their risk if they have to go to the store.
Phillip Schuyler Carskaddan, of Redlands, for instance, asked whether open produce at the supermarket was safe, and whether a little diluted bleach could clean it. (Yes — and more on that shortly.)Phillip Schuyler Carskaddan, of Redlands, for instance, asked whether open produce at the supermarket was safe, and whether a little diluted bleach could clean it. (Yes — and more on that shortly.)
I talked with Dr. Swartzberg and Jeff Nelken, a food safety expert based in Woodland Hills, about what to know to make your trip to the supermarket as safe as possible:I talked with Dr. Swartzberg and Jeff Nelken, a food safety expert based in Woodland Hills, about what to know to make your trip to the supermarket as safe as possible:
If you have to go to the store, touch as little as possible and sanitize all the stuff you buy when you get home.If you have to go to the store, touch as little as possible and sanitize all the stuff you buy when you get home.
Mr. Nelken noted that most produce is placed on displays by hand — sometimes they’re gloved. But it’s safe to assume that if a piece of produce has been out, it’s been handled by at least 10 people.Mr. Nelken noted that most produce is placed on displays by hand — sometimes they’re gloved. But it’s safe to assume that if a piece of produce has been out, it’s been handled by at least 10 people.
He recommended misting produce with a very diluted bleach solution (a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water) and letting it air dry. Or, if you’re nervous about using bleach on something you’ll eat, he said you could use a disinfecting wipe.He recommended misting produce with a very diluted bleach solution (a teaspoon of bleach per gallon of water) and letting it air dry. Or, if you’re nervous about using bleach on something you’ll eat, he said you could use a disinfecting wipe.
Soap and water is another alternative, Dr. Swartzberg said, adding that all these approaches are based only on what’s known about Covid-19 and other viruses.Soap and water is another alternative, Dr. Swartzberg said, adding that all these approaches are based only on what’s known about Covid-19 and other viruses.
[How long will the virus last on surfaces and the air?][How long will the virus last on surfaces and the air?]
Other goods are less risky, but it’s still worth wiping down cardboard boxes of crackers or other packaged items.Other goods are less risky, but it’s still worth wiping down cardboard boxes of crackers or other packaged items.
Mr. Nelken said one thing to watch out for is your reusable grocery bags: “When was the last time you sanitized your favorite bag?”Mr. Nelken said one thing to watch out for is your reusable grocery bags: “When was the last time you sanitized your favorite bag?”
Also, wash your hands and maybe wash your hair.Also, wash your hands and maybe wash your hair.
Dr. Swartzberg underlined the advice you’ve been hearing from health officials: Hand soap really will protect you.Dr. Swartzberg underlined the advice you’ve been hearing from health officials: Hand soap really will protect you.
“One thing about this coronavirus,” he said, is that “it’s very susceptible to disinfectants and soap and water.”“One thing about this coronavirus,” he said, is that “it’s very susceptible to disinfectants and soap and water.”
That said, if you go to a store, touch a contaminated surface, then touch your hair and then your face, even once between hand-washing, you could become infected.That said, if you go to a store, touch a contaminated surface, then touch your hair and then your face, even once between hand-washing, you could become infected.
So, he said, if you’re really concerned, it might be worth throwing your clothes in the wash and showering after you get back from the store. (Your shoes, he said, are probably fine to bring into the house.)So, he said, if you’re really concerned, it might be worth throwing your clothes in the wash and showering after you get back from the store. (Your shoes, he said, are probably fine to bring into the house.)
Ultimately, though, the best thing to do is stay away from other people, particularly if you’re part of a vulnerable population.Ultimately, though, the best thing to do is stay away from other people, particularly if you’re part of a vulnerable population.
Although state health officials released guidelines for grocery stores saying they should limit how many customers are in a given store and should keep people at least six feet apart even when they’re in line, this is proving to be easier said than done.Although state health officials released guidelines for grocery stores saying they should limit how many customers are in a given store and should keep people at least six feet apart even when they’re in line, this is proving to be easier said than done.
The Los Angeles Times reported that seniors hoping to get into a Monrovia Trader Joe’s during a special early-shopping period were greeted with confusion.The Los Angeles Times reported that seniors hoping to get into a Monrovia Trader Joe’s during a special early-shopping period were greeted with confusion.
Both Dr. Swartzberg and Mr. Nelken said grocers would need to come up with more sustainable ways to update customers in real time.Both Dr. Swartzberg and Mr. Nelken said grocers would need to come up with more sustainable ways to update customers in real time.
“I think the first thing we need to avoid is just showing up,” Mr. Nelken told me.“I think the first thing we need to avoid is just showing up,” Mr. Nelken told me.
For now, he suggested calling the store you’d like to visit before you leave, both to inquire about the wait and what’s in stock.For now, he suggested calling the store you’d like to visit before you leave, both to inquire about the wait and what’s in stock.
Many grocery-store chains have said that they’re hiring up and cleaning more frequently, and that they still have curbside pickup and delivery available, even if their systems are moving more slowly.Many grocery-store chains have said that they’re hiring up and cleaning more frequently, and that they still have curbside pickup and delivery available, even if their systems are moving more slowly.
[Find the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic here.][Find the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic here.]
We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.We often link to sites that limit access for nonsubscribers. We appreciate your reading Times coverage, but we also encourage you to support local news if you can.
A day after seven counties in and around the Bay Area enacted the nation’s most stringent restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the coronavirus, communities across the state took similar steps.A day after seven counties in and around the Bay Area enacted the nation’s most stringent restrictions aimed at combating the spread of the coronavirus, communities across the state took similar steps.
Sonoma County officials ordered residents to shelter in place.Sonoma County officials ordered residents to shelter in place.
The Desert Sun reported that the Palm Springs City Council told all nonessential businesses to close and advised residents to shelter in place.The Desert Sun reported that the Palm Springs City Council told all nonessential businesses to close and advised residents to shelter in place.
Updated August 24, 2020 Updated August 27, 2020
Sacramento County health officials directed all residents to stay home except for essential chores, though they stopped short of issuing a formal order, according to The Sacramento Bee.Sacramento County health officials directed all residents to stay home except for essential chores, though they stopped short of issuing a formal order, according to The Sacramento Bee.
And Orange County’s top health official banned all public and private gatherings, The Orange County Register reported.And Orange County’s top health official banned all public and private gatherings, The Orange County Register reported.
[Read more about the Bay Area’s first day under a vast experiment.][Read more about the Bay Area’s first day under a vast experiment.]
Uber and Lyft are suspending shared rides. [Reuters]Uber and Lyft are suspending shared rides. [Reuters]
A judge ruled that the man who killed Nia Wilson on a BART platform was sane at the time. The judge stepped in to prevent jurors from meeting in person amid the coronavirus outbreak. [The New York Times]A judge ruled that the man who killed Nia Wilson on a BART platform was sane at the time. The judge stepped in to prevent jurors from meeting in person amid the coronavirus outbreak. [The New York Times]
Duncan Hunter, the former San Diego-area congressman who was convicted of misusing campaign funds, was sentenced to 1l months in prison. [The New York Times]Duncan Hunter, the former San Diego-area congressman who was convicted of misusing campaign funds, was sentenced to 1l months in prison. [The New York Times]
On Monday, I asked you to please send photos of your very good home co-workers. Ask, and, it turns out, you shall receive.On Monday, I asked you to please send photos of your very good home co-workers. Ask, and, it turns out, you shall receive.
We’ll share more of the hundreds of photos we got soon, but for now, meet Nanook the rescue husky. He’s been very helpful to his human parents, Lauren Tatsuno, 32, and Alec Goldfield, 33, as they shelter in place in San Francisco.We’ll share more of the hundreds of photos we got soon, but for now, meet Nanook the rescue husky. He’s been very helpful to his human parents, Lauren Tatsuno, 32, and Alec Goldfield, 33, as they shelter in place in San Francisco.
Ms. Tatsuno wrote that she’s used to working from home as a part-time student getting her master’s degree through an online program. But Mr. Goldfield, she said, works in human resources, so he’s been doing video chats — and “occasionally lets Nanook participate.”Ms. Tatsuno wrote that she’s used to working from home as a part-time student getting her master’s degree through an online program. But Mr. Goldfield, she said, works in human resources, so he’s been doing video chats — and “occasionally lets Nanook participate.”
And since I neglected to mark St. Patrick’s Day, below is a photo of Una. Sherry L. Smith, a writer and historian in Pasadena, wrote that on the holiday, even this English setter “insists she is Irish.”And since I neglected to mark St. Patrick’s Day, below is a photo of Una. Sherry L. Smith, a writer and historian in Pasadena, wrote that on the holiday, even this English setter “insists she is Irish.”
And with that, hope you all are staying safe and well.And with that, hope you all are staying safe and well.
California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here and read every edition online here.California Today goes live at 6:30 a.m. Pacific time weekdays. Tell us what you want to see: CAtoday@nytimes.com. Were you forwarded this email? Sign up for California Today here and read every edition online here.
Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter, @jillcowan.Jill Cowan grew up in Orange County, graduated from U.C. Berkeley and has reported all over the state, including the Bay Area, Bakersfield and Los Angeles — but she always wants to see more. Follow along here or on Twitter, @jillcowan.
California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.California Today is edited by Julie Bloom, who grew up in Los Angeles and graduated from U.C. Berkeley.