Question

Im going back and forth on this. to go to the groccery store myself or have someone deliver grocceries? What do you think is less risky? what if that person has been out delivering more so more exposed, but w the spike we are entering or have entered im feeling like its a loose loose situation. How does one get around this?  

Answer 1

I deliver groceries for amazon and you are really helping people like me that lost all my income as a massage therapist . I mean , you can never be 100% sure about this thing but the highest risk of exposure is other people they say .  

Comments

@expire oh this makes me feel so much better. I was feeling so guilty about having other people shop for me! I hope you are being tipped well for all your hard work ♥️.  

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@expire I agree  

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I'm curious @expire. what kind of tips you get? You don't have to answer if you're not comfortable. But wanting to know for comparison.  

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@mexicali2 it’s hard to say , some days are better than others. I had a great few hours last Friday and made $80 in 2 hours

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@expire $80 from one person?  

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@mexicali2 no from 2 hours total !  

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@expire So do folks tip you a percentage of their grocery bill or just a flat $10/20 or something?  

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@mexicali2 Im not sure because amazon doesn’t let you know who tipped what or how much the order costs. they show you at the end of your shift how much cj you got total tips

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But if I had to guess I think it comes to average 7-10 per delivery , more if it’s bad weathe r

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@expire Thanks -greatly appreciate the info!  

Answer 2

I personally am getting all my groceries delivered. It takes more planning as the delivery services are often delayed due to so many people doing the same. You also have to communicate with them in regards to replacements and kind of have to be flexible as you’re ordering days before your delivery so things may be out of stock. I ask for a contactless delivery and then bring groceries to a designated part of my kitchen, wipe everything down, get rid of as much packaging as possible, wash my hands in between and then wash all the surfaces the groceries and bags touched. It’s intense and I’m not sure it’s totally necessary, but it does make me feel better.  

Answer 3

I have been personally going by myself. This way I know proper precautions were taken and I wipe down all of my groceries when I get home.  

Answer 4

Have them delivered outside your door. Wipe everything down before putting away. Then shower or change clothes or whatever to remove any potential exposure.  

Answer 5

I started to feel guilty for using delivery so I took a break. now when I log onto Instacart and Walmart grocery there’s barely any items available online and delivery dates are a week out if at all. Sucks

Answer 6

We just do it ourselves with caution! Although Costco is quite busy at times! Just wash hands! The delivery services are never available & always out of everything? ‍♀️

Comments

Mel Lee Costco is only letting 15 people into the store at a time now and only 2 people per membership card - hoping that this will allow for less panic buying

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@saldana0 oh gosh the napervile store was packed last nite around 6. They let in 75-100. Varying each store. I wish only 20

Answer 7

I felt like delivery was safer bc I wasn’t coming in contact with other people. I just took precautions bringing my delivered groceries into my house. But it was still anxiety inducing.  

Comments

Also, to get delivery scheduled (on instacart anyway), I find it best to put everything in my cart and then check back around midnight to get the next available slot. Yes, that slot is next week, but you can add to your cart through the week. It just takes planning (and usually, I'm that person who orders instacart a couple times a week, so this is a huge change for me to be sure I have all I need in one order). As far as getting what you're looking for, I got all but 2 items last week from my Aldi order at 5pm on a Tuesday. sugar snap peas and Frosted Flakes. I got toilet paper, milk, bread, ground beef. almost everything I wanted and needed. If it doesn't show up on the screen when you search, just add it as a special request so your shopper knows to look for it.  

Answer 8

I have used instacart twice and wiped every item down once received before putting them away and threw all plastic bags away (which I would normally save).  

Answer 9

I have been doing our shopping. I wear gloves and go at night when there are fewer people. If the store is out of something, i feel it's easier for me to find a replacement on the fly. Plus, it's one less person who touches my food. I still wipe down everything before putting it away, and I throw out the bags, which I would typically save. It's a pain in the rear, but hopefully I only have to do this a few more times.  

Answer 10

I go myself. If it isn't ME grabbing my groceries, it is still someone else.  

Answer 11

I have been wondering the same. I keep saying I would rather take the risk of one person touching my stuff rather than go in the store with 500 people. Has America really come to this?!?! I have 8 boys and this reminds me of years back we all got the stomach flu and I was afraid to even buy a loaf of bread thinking how many people touched it to check the date. I didn't want to bring it home again. There's always a chance for everything but unfortunately we need to eat to live. Stay healthy! It is so scary. ❤

Comments

@pill28 i feel this 1000%. 8 boys! Bless you! :) i have 2

Answer 12

You should do it yourself. The only people that should using delivery are high risk groups that don’t have someone they know to do it for them. It’s the only way to truly know how the products have been handled.  

Comments

@catawba true, i wouldnt want to block someone who really needs it.  

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@catawba . I am high risk and am finding i was more anxious ordering when my groceries came all remaking of smoke. now I am re-evaluating what the best option is.  

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@pistole3 Knudsen If you need help and can't get groceries delivered, I have a 16yo that could help get your groceries. PM me.  

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@mexicali2 . thank you! That is very thoughtful! I am trying jewel pickup this week to see if that’s better for me. I will let you know though. thanks!  

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@pistole3 Knudsen you’re very welcome! Stay well and home  

Answer 13

I’ve been going myself because I wasted an hour picking things out to find no delivery or curbside pickup times even available last time. Plus I am really careful and have the ability to do it myself while my kids stay home with my husband.  

Answer 14

You going. You know what you’re touching and you know that you probably won’t be in contact with anyone. You have NO idea what the delivery person has touched or interacted with.  

Answer 15

I go myself. I bring my wipes, take the appropriate precautions, wash my hands and spray my shoes with Lysol when I get home. I also wipe down the inside of my car.  

Answer 16

I go by myself (once every 2 weeks) because I can be safer. Anything I touch goes into my cart(which I have used clorox on the whole cart), no label checking like I used to. I line my trunk with a disinfected garbage bag and wipe all bags before putting in trunk. I wear gloves and use a wipe to pull packaging off shelf (not fresh stuff). I quarantine all non-perishables in garage for 3-5 days. I wash all produce and perishables before putting them away. (I also shop for a friend who has symptoms but doesn’t qualify for a test). What used to be a “quick” weekly trip to grocery store now takes upwards of 2-3 hours. Oh and just a pet peeve. Keep a disposable bag you can seal in your trunk and throw used gloves and wipes in it an seal. It amazes me the gall if people discarding their used gloves in parking lots. Totally classless Naperville.  

Answer 17

I deliver for Instacart and let me tell you what I do to protect you and myself as best I can. I wipe down all of the cart. Not just the handle. I use hand sanitizer after wiping cart and during shopping. After I check out I stop in the bathroom and wash my hands. Before I deliver I use hand sanitizer again. I drop groceries at your front door. We have no contact. I go back into my car and wile down the steering wheel with a wile and start again. Hopefully this helps

Comments

@crumble can I specify having you as my Instacart shopper?  

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Unfortunately I do not think so.  

Answer 18

I went to the the store 2 days ago for only the second time since this all began. Went to an Aldi about an hour after it opened and was in/out in less then 20 minutes and it wasn't crowded at all. I only touched what I needed to and feel the risk was lower then any other option.  

Answer 19

I was at aldi yesterday at 9am when they opened. In and out under 30 mins. Maybe 10 people in the store, employees cleaning and stocking. I wore gloves and cleaned everything when I got home

Answer 20

To be honest one isn’t less riskier than the other because bottom line you don’t know who is shopping for your groceries. You don’t know if they are even wearing PPE at all. I’d rather go myself and go early get what I need and get out. To each their own  

Comments

@rockandroll but you still don’t know who touched your stuff before you bought it and have to sanitize and discard all packaging when you get home anyway. So now you’ve exposed yourself twice ‍♀️

Answer 21

Delivery is less risky. Contactless delivery. Then Place your food on one section of counter, remove from bags/boxes and set on a different side of counter. Discard all packaging when you are done. Wash hands well and sanitize counter, then put food away.  

Answer 22

I go myself. Can’t live in fear forever. This virus is probably going to a permanent thing every season. What ever happens, happens.  

Comments

@db49505 I so agree with you but I don't want to seem callus or ignorant either when saying this lol. I still have to go to work, and be in close quarters to others because their literally is no where else to go. I finally was able to have a neighbor sew me a mask yesterday. I just wash my hands a lot and use a hand sanitizer when I need to. I'm not letting this crush my free spirit that I am, I'm just more careful. But to each their own

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@totter I feel the exact same way. I guess we are few and far between.  

Answer 23

Either way is risky but just remember if you’re doing delivery to tip well. You’re having them risk their health to help you.  

Answer 24

We were doing delivery but can’t get any spots lately. So we have to go. It makes me nervous but we have no choice now.  

Answer 25

I think a lot of people are choosing contact-less delivery so exposure is minimized. I leave as many bags as possible in my garage for a few days. Everything else I Lysol. You’re still minimizing your exposure to just one person rather than a store full of people is how I see it.  

Answer 26

I saw this in a different group - Menards only

Comments

@rockandroll this is just menards the person clarified it was just menards

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@rehash6 thank you for the clarification. I edited my comment

Answer 27

This was so tough for me. I have a 3 yr old son who is technically immune compromised. I was so torn and had anxiety the night prior but finally went yesterday to Trader Joe’s. I wore an N95 mask and gloves and overall I felt safe. I will continue to do online and curbside pick up or delivery but I will prob make another trip at some point. as most have said, just be very mindful of washing hands, wiping down groceries, avoid touching face, and immediately change your clothes/shower. We’re all doing our best so hopefully you can make a decision that’s best for you/family!  

Answer 28

I use instacart and I just wipe everything down that they deliver!  

Answer 29

It's 100% less risky to get food delivered. you can wipe it all down before it even enters your house, leave it in the garage for days, and completely control the germs entering your house. leaving your house exposes you to thousands of cross contimated surfaces and items. we are at the point where your car is collecting dust because everything you possibly need is a click away on your phone/tablet/pc

Comments

@mauro169 i am not trying to start a debate but nothing is 100% less risky. We debated but when my hubby (germaphob) showed me the Ring Video of the delivery person (company name we are ALL familiar with) spitting on a package it sealed the choice fir us.  

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I get it. there is risk to anything in life. i just firmly believe nobody's odometer on the car should be budging right now. it's 2020 not 1950.  

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@mauro169 semi-related topic, if you aren’t driving at all remember to go start your car every couple days so your battery doesn’t die.  

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@idona I 100% Agree! When you order and it’s delivered you have no idea if the delivery person sneezes inside their car or coughs etc. But my personal opinion here is if we get so panicked that we completely stop going out for necessities at the very least and being so paranoid and obsessed about killing every single possibility that exists- it’s no way to live - I feel like if we can just follow the rules and BE SMART about our actions when we are out, maybe shop an hour before closing or right when they open. Change the way you used to do things absolutely but don’t be paranoid and in a panic, that’s what scares others and then the panic buying of supplies sets in etc. This is just my opinion here, I’m not trying to start a debate or argue and let me also add this doesn’t pertain to those with immune compromises etc obviously you have to do everything and anything you need to do. I say all this because I also still have to work, we are considered an essential business. We are a drywall company and yes we are still going to to homes to work, we are currently working in a high rise on Michigan Ave/ Lakeshore Drive. I worry about our guys and the tenants but I can’t let it consume me because what good would that do. I remind myself to be very thankful we have work and even more thankful we are able to keep our guys working.  

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@saldana0 Totally agree.  

Answer 30

I have mixed feelings. my groceries were delivered yesterday. The guy who delivered was annoyed I wanted them left on the porch when he called. then I brought the bags to my table to wash everything and the bags reaked of smoke. got me thinking about who is delivering my groceries. Made me think that maybe my husband running out once in a while would be better. at least I know he is being cautious and the only one touching the stuff then.  

Comments

@pistole3 Knudsen that’s how I feel. You just don’t know.  

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@pistole3 Knudsen I am shocked to hear this. 100% of my deliveries have been drop at the front door. Not sure why your driver would have been annoyed. I prefer this for everyone’s safety

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@crumble . so do I! I was amazed he even asked and then sounded annoyed!  

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@pistole3 Knudsen weird he was annoyed! I have only done delivery once and told her to leave on the porch. Do they normally come into your house?  

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@champion17 . not sure. this was my first time using delivery.  

Answer 31

I've done both. The Shipt shopper (for Mejier) was great with communication and all I had to do was open our trunk. (We did pick up. ) She even asked if there was anything else that we needed. We left our groceries in the car for 24 hours, except for frozen items. The only negative was that there were quite of few things that weren't available, despite them being in my order. It is what it is. I would have felt better about my trip to Trader Joes's had I not heard someone cough in the same aisle as me. GAH! I liked being in control of what I touched and bought though. I went before closing, and it wasn't crowded at all. n any case. if you can get a pick up order, I think that would be my preference. Good luck.  

Answer 32

I prefer doing it myself. I use hand sanitizer constantly. I feel it gives me a sense of normalcy which I need, I get a chance to get out of the house. If i touch it I'm buying it. Meijer last weekend felt like a normal shopping experience. I'll probably stock up this weekend with stuff to last us 2 weeks. To minimize the trips out.  

Answer 33

Delivery, you can wipe your items down and not come in contact with anyone. It’s very hard to get grocery delivery right now though

Answer 34

We have them delivered and treat the order as if each item has been just coughed on (not that they have). We use gloves to sort out all the items that can wait 3 days ubtouched and then put into new clean bags the stuff that has to be refrigerated and u touched for 3 days. Then we Lysol or wash the items we need right away (altho that has only happened once and it was wine haha). We tip super generously to show our appreciation of the men and women who are working hard and risking their health by going to the store for us. Also, it keeps people employed who needs it now and it keeps extra poeple- who are possibly infected but symptom free- from going into the stores.  

Answer 35

I got grocery pickup from Walmart today. Had them load it. Sanitized my hands, door handle and steering wheel. Unloaded at home and sanitized things going in the house. Left things that can wait in the garage. There were a few things I really wanted that they didn’t have but oh well. Better than going in the store

Answer 36

Walmart has been booked for days. Every one within 20 miles of me. Won't even let you order.  

Answer 37

I couldn’t get a delivery slot to save my life on any form of anything.  

Answer 38

GFS in Aurora has curbside pick up and it's awesome. I was really surprised at the low prices! We've really liked the produce and the meat - we had steak last night and it was great. You just go online, set up an account for curbside and choose a pick up time. No waiting right now!  

Answer 39

I ordered online from Walmart and will pick up. I’ve never done this but i feel it’s less risky having someone just put things in my trunk. I ordered yesterday and pick up is for tomorrow so we will see how this works.  

Answer 40

Good point. Go early morning 10 ish yourself . Put on gloves and mask and go. Put hand sanitizer on before hand. Don’t touch outter gloves when removing. Do a big shopping so you don’t have to go for a while. You’ll be fine.  

Answer 41

I find it gives me better peace of mind to go myself

Answer 42

I never tried the delivery services. But I do think that as long as I am careful about it, I should not use the service to back up those who really needs it. Since I am working out of the house anyway, I am the sole person to be out shopping to reduce exposure. Buy two weeks worth of stuffs to reduce frequency of going. I am a Germaphobe, so I get super annoyed when I see people wearing gloves but touching everything with. I am talking about their face, hair, wallet, credit card, steering wheel. I don’t even care if my cart handle is wiped, because I just treat my trip as “dirty”. I sanitize my hands right after I load everything on the belt for checkout and BEFORE touching my credit (yep, skip the wallet). After the transaction, my hands are considered “dirty” again. After I loaded up everything and opened my driver door, I Sanitize again BEFORE I get in the car. Now, my hands are “cleaned” until I get home to wash down all of my groceries.  

Answer 43

That service should be used for high risk people only : elderly and people with existing medical conditions that make them more susceptible. Please keep them in mind since they have no other option.  

Answer 44

The reality of the situation is that you will pretty much get some form of COVID even if you take all the precautions. We all will and that is the reality of what is happening. As far as the grocery store issue. You should wear a mask or face covering when you leave the house. I park near the cart corral and Wipe down the entire cart before going into the store. I shop with a purpose and a well thought out list ordered by the isle order in which the store is set up (I usually go to the same store all the time so that helps). Get in and get out. When I get home, I wipe down anything that has to be put away right away. The rest sits in a tub in my garage for 3 days to let anything die that might be on it. Don’t forget to wipe down your phone, car keys, steering wheel, door knobs. We created a meal plan for the next month and I did my best to buy everything I could for the next month to avoid going back. We will have to grab fresh stuff once at the two week mark. Our meals have frozen veggies now instead of fresh to minimize going to the store weekly for produce. Go to the store as early in the day as possible and the middle of the week to have the least exposure. Good luck and stay safe ❤️

Answer 45

Get it delivered, open the garage door have them set everything in there. do not touch it for 3 days, the virus can live on bags /cardboard for up until that time. After the 3rd day bring them in w gloves and wash all that you can w antibacterial soap and hot water over 78 degrees. Everything else wipe down and remove from packaging as much as you can before putting on ur pantry or fridge. Sounds extreme but that’s the safest practice to follow.  

Comments

@epigraphy tata exactly what we doing! Leaving everything in garage for 4 days and bringing in one by one or as we need and doing all hygiene steps! It’s not been bad at all!  

Answer 46

Following, and I understand your confusion. We are doing mostly delivery. We also order some dinners from restaurants bc we want to support them. We are doing our best to stay safe, yet not live in fear. Between these things and washing our hands a lot, I feel we are doing our part and being as strong about the situation as we can be.  

Answer 47

If we knew how to make very effective masks, maybe it would be safer to venture out. Maybe if we made and gave masks to our grocery store clerks, they would be safer. In the meantime, we all get delivery from the safety of our home. And my post about making effective masks and giving them to grocery store clerks gets deleted    

Comments

@ritornello I know how much research you have put into this effort to make safer masks for everyone. I hope people heed your advice and that of the others on your Coronovirus research FB group.