Help! Is it safe to touch a shopping cart?

Now that we’re almost only allowed to go outside for groceries, shopping carts are also proving to be a source of concern. Many stores have a clear cleaning protocol, but some customers still wonder whether those mandatory carts or baskets aren’t a breeding ground for the virus. What’s the situation?

In these confusing and difficult times, people with a fear of contamination feel (even more than usual) pretty torn: on the one hand, their fears are confirmed – you really can become very seriously ill because of other people, and on the other hand: what a relief that you no longer have to shake hands, and that (almost) every supermarket has a whole range of disinfectants laid out for you. Still, quite a conflict sometimes arises at the supermarket over those carts.

Fuss by the muesli aisle

A woman said that she was required to take a shopping cart at a supermarket even though it had not been cleaned, and that things completely escalated when she indicated that it didn’t feel right. Just yesterday, I experienced someone sneezing into her hand in the store (AAAARRRGGHH?!) and then grabbing my cart by the handle with that hand to move it aside. I calmly said something about it, but she reacted mega-offended, so I walked back to the entrance for new paper tissues with disinfectant spray on them to repeat the entire cleaning process.

Was that really necessary?

The short answer is: Yes. Covid-19 can be transmitted via surfaces. But the risk is small. You should wash your hands before and after visiting the supermarket anyway, according to the RIVM. They do not give supermarkets any specific advice about cleaning their equipment. They do say that all measures help, from keeping your distance to sneezing into your elbow, and also contribute to people’s awareness. Disposable gloves also offer protection, but you do need to take them off safely and throw them away immediately after use.

So

By now, everyone really should know that sneezing into your hand is strictly forbidden. Furthermore – hats off to supermarkets that take in and clean the carts and baskets after every use, then hand them out again, doing their bit to help. The rest is up to us. We can make it easier for people, especially if we try to remain a little cheerful!

Also read:

• Are you allowed to squeeze fruit during corona to check whether it’s ripe?
• The world’s largest chocolate factory has been shut down because of corona
• How corona turned me into a party animal