Not rinsing produce off
Most of us used to buy produce from the grocery store, thinking it had already been washed and there was no need for us to wash it again. Well, it’s no longer smart to hold on to this assumption in the age of the coronavirus. Produce should be washed, coronavirus or not, but this has become even more important during the pandemic.
“Gone are the days you could pick something from the aisle and start eating in the parking lot,” says Jagdish Khubchandani, PhD, professor of health at Ball State University. “Many people touch aisles and substances in grocery stores. One must be mindful about personal hygiene and cleaning produce as well.”
Wearing shoes in the house
Taking our shoes off when entering the house is a common habit. But do you know what’s also common? Forgetting something and going back into the house, wearing your shoes, to get it. How many times has this happened to you? Although the likelihood of COVID-19 being spread on shoes and infecting people is low, it’s still something we should be wary of.
Therefore, in the coronavirus times, having “a pair of shoes for work and a pair while coming back, or keeping shoes out of the home could help,” recommends Khubchandani. Apart from your shoes, these are 11 Germ-Spreading Items You Touch All the Time.
Not showering often enough
We’ve been told over and over again to wash out hands as often as possible to reduce the risk of catching the novel coronavirus. While many people have become extremely attentive to the cleanliness of their hands, some of them have neglected their showering routine, especially when going to work or meeting other people was not an option.
“Many are now confined to homes and may neglect daily routines,” says Khubchandani. “Taking a shower daily will ensure people are protected.” That’s especially true if you’re going outside, as dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, told PopSugar. If you’re leaving the house, make sure you shower as soon as you get home.
Picking your nose
This habit was not nice before and it is definitely not nice now. Apart from being gross, it can also represent a risk to your health. According to Khubchandani, “this is bad for the person doing it and for others. Given that many infected people are not having symptoms, this habit could create a problem for people engaging in this habit and those living around [them].”
Even if you’re not sticking your whole finger inside your nose (have I mentioned it’s gross?), touching your nose is still risky.
