Covid-19, or coronavirus, is now a global pandemic, and it has reached all corners of the planet. Governments are working fast to control the virus, and we’re all playing our part by avoiding crowded places to slow the virus down.
Sadly, there’s much fake news on the web, and food has been both accused of spreading the virus and treated as a cure, which has caused some confusion. Here are the 10 most urgent coronavirus-related food questions and their answers.
#10 – Can you get infected by contaminated food?
As of today, there hasn’t been a single case of people getting infected by contaminated food, and that means that the virus is only passed from one person to another through fluids.
This doesn’t mean that you can be careless; hygiene standards should be taken to their highest level to ensure our food is safe to eat.
#9 – Is Chinese food more dangerous than other foods?
The virus seems to have originated in China, but there’s no reason to think anything Chinese, including food, could be riskier than any other food.
Sadly, in times like these, racism lets itself be felt. Not the Chinese, their goods, or their food have any part in how the virus has spread throughout the world.
#8 – Did eating strange animals caused the coronavirus pandemic?
There’s inconclusive evidence that the virus passed on to humans for eating wild animals, but researchers are close. So far, evidence points to a bat in the Wuhan province, but similar studies point towards the consumption of pangolins, scaly ant-eating Asian animals.
Before looking for any more suspects, we should all be cautious. The SARS virus that had a similar pandemic effect was blamed on civets, who were, since then, pointlessly killed throughout the world. Humans caused the spreading of the virus, one way or another, not animals.
#7 – Should I wipe down my food delivery bag?
Yes, you should because the virus can survive on surfaces, including takeout bags and food packaging. The latest studies show the coronavirus can live up to 72 hours in hard, smooth surfaces and up to 24 hours in porous surfaces such as cardboard, paper, and fabrics.
#6 – How much food should I buy for the quarantine?
People are staying home, and the government has urged the population to remain there to prevent the virus from spreading too fast. Buying enough groceries for two weeks seems to be enough so far since there’s no shortage of food supplies, and stores are still open for business.
#5 – What safety measures do I have to take while shopping for food?
If you need to go out for groceries, try to do so alone. One person per family. Wipe the shopping cart with disinfectant and avoid touching every item in the store.
Shop quickly, too, and try to keep a safe distance between yourself and other buyers. Avoid buying too much food, especially unhealthy food. There are reasons to believe a quarantine might lead to obesity and other food-related maladies; eat healthily.
#4 – What foods can cure the coronavirus?
No food can cure the coronavirus or any other virus. No food can stop the virus, either. Despite what you might find on the web, there’s no miraculous food or drink to avoid or cure the infection.
Recent news supporting that injecting bear bile to patients can help treat the disease are alarming and might probably cause new animal-related viruses to spread.
#3 – Will alkaline foods kill coronavirus?
Gargling saltwater or eating alkaline foods will not work against coronavirus, as many dubious websites claim. No food can prevent you from getting the virus, and no food can eliminate it once it’s in your body. The virus doesn’t react to PH changes, and your natural PH doesn’t change for the food you eat either.
#2 – Can food help against coronavirus?
Actually, it can, but not in the way you think. Food might not be a cure, but it can help you stay healthy and have a robust immune system.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, plant-based fats, vegetal-based proteins, olive oil, and oily fish. If you’re healthy and in good shape, even if you get the virus, you’ll probably be all right.
#1 – Does drinking tea help against the coronavirus?
Chinese doctor Li Wenliang had his five minutes of fame claiming on social networks that tea could cure the coronavirus disease.
The false cure has spread faster than the virus itself, although the doctor died from the coronavirus infection a few days after spreading the news about the alleged treatment.
Stay home, stay safe.
There’s much misinformation out there, but the best way to combat the coronavirus is staying home and practicing social distancing.
The virus cannot be stopped, but we can slow it down. Eat your veggies, try to stay active, and stay home. If you have questions regarding the virus, let us know!
