These days, our tools of survival include paranoia. I used to be weary of this vector before, but now I'm so concerned by it that I take the appropriate measure. Now that I do it, it's kind of a no-brainer actually. When this COVID-19 pandemic is over, I may continue with this ritual anyway, just because it makes so much sense.
The scene is way too common. I'm in a supermarket toilet doing my business when a man walks out of a cubicle where he's been doing a number 2 - judging by the smell and flushing sound. He then proceeds to walk directly out of the toilet, not washing his hands, and to the fruit and veg stall where he touches everything with his unwashed hands. Disgusting!
I've also witnessed people cough or sneeze into their hands while shopping, and then carry on touching products. I've even seen people sneeze or cough directly unto products in the supermarket.
In the past, while being disgusted, I didn't feel like my life was put in direct danger by these people. I would avoid any area I saw something like this happen. I'd only buy packaged fruits, or those that you have to peel like oranges or bananas. At least those are naturally protected by their skins.
Apples and pairs, on the other hand, are eaten with their skin, and aren't usually packaged. With the global pandemic raging through London right now, it has become an absolute must for me to clean everything that comes into the house - not just my hands.
I now wash all the fruits, even the ones that were pre-packed, and the ones with the protective skin. Everything! The reason being, the virus has been with us longer than the package time now. It means that even at the factories where these fruits are being packaged, there are ample chances of the virus getting on them.
Some fruits like apples are waxed, which creates a very nice clingy surface for the coronavirus to attach to, waiting for you to touch it, or put it directly in your mouth. The wax also makes it more difficult to clean with just water alone - the way most people rinse apples before eating them. Heck, some people even eat apples without rinsing them at all. I've done this before, but on an orchard where I plucked them directly from the tree. By the way, if you've never eaten an apple within a few hours of being plucked, you've never eaten an apple. The taste is totally on another level.
I use an eco, non-toxic, natural soap based washing up liquid to wash the fruits. The same stuff I wash my plates with. I soak the fruits for about 5 minutes in warm soapy water before individually washing them like I'd wash my hands. Yes, I know, paranoid times.
The funny thing is, they're so clean after doing this but when I go to eat one, I automatically rinse it again out of habit.
When I say I clean everything, I mean everything. I even have a quarantine box for all my incoming mail. It's placed strategically under the letterbox so the mail drops directly into it. I then wipe each letter with antiviral or alcohol wipes before opening them (if I have to). I throw unwanted mail directly into the recycle bin without opening. I even wipe the actual letters themselves because, at some point a human being put them in the envelope. You never know. Until I test positive for COVID-19 antibodies, this is my life now :)
Talking of junk mail, there's been a massive reduction those. Another silver lining of the coronavirus pandemic?
Do you think I'm paranoid? Is my procedure overkill?
Peace & Love,
Adé