As the coronavirus continues to spread, so does the worry everyone is feeling as this once-localized outbreak transforms into a global pandemic. The number of confirmed cases in the U.S. keeps rising, and unfortunately, so does the death count. "Breaking developments in the coronavirus pandemic: The death toll rising in the U.S., more than 60 dead. The number of cases topping 3,000."
Supermarkets are running out of all manner of pantry staples including bread and even oat milk. The one thing not flying off the shelves is the unfortunately-named Corona beer, but this is entirely due to the name association, as Corona beer will definitely not make you sick with its namesake virus. Corona beer isn't the only food or beverage item which poses zero risks of spreading this dreaded virus. A spokesperson from the USDA's Food Safety and Inspection Service addressed this issue with HuffPost. They stated: "We are not aware of any reports at this time of human illnesses that suggest COVID-19 can be transmitted by food or food packaging." The German government's Federal
There just isn't any risk to us from the animal products we purchase and consume, and even if an animal was infected prior to being turned into your favorite cut of meat, there are ways to prepare your food safely to mitigate any risk. If you wish to consume meat but are concerned by the fact that animals can also be infected by COVID-19, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland offers the reassuring information that thorough cooking should kill the virus. 30 minutes at 140º Fahrenheit proved effective with SARS, and it's expected that this should have a similar effect on the coronavirus.
While there may not be known cases to date of anyone who has caught or spread coronavirus through contaminated food, there are still certain food-related venues where it would be wise to take precautions. HuffPost suggests that while you're out at the grocery store stocking up your pantry, you should try to keep a few feet of distance between you and other shoppers, a practice known as social distancing, and you might also want to take advantage of any wipes or hand sanitizer the store may have on hand as a convenience to shoppers. Just…docan't get, you know, weird about it. "Look how clean I am... " "Dude, you look like a shriveled raisin." "It's all about purity, Charlie." Restaurants, however, can be the trickier territory.
Taco Bell and even McDonald's have ceased offering dine-in service. Of course, they are still providing the safer option of takeout, or if you're really committed to social distancing, there's even contact-free delivery, some of which is fee-free, as well! Still, feeling worried? Bear this in mind, there is hardly any chance that coronavirus-contaminated food is going to make you sick, but avoiding food entirely has a 100 percent chance of proving fatal