ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Newswire) — The Coronavirus strikes again! Impacting how and what we eat! As of March 31st, 140,904 people in the U.S. have tested positive for Covid-19. 2,405 have died. That number is expected to increase daily for the next few weeks and maybe more. In the past week, restaurants have closed throughout the country—take out only, if we’re lucky. But these restaurants will open again—and when they do—it will be a new day in dining out. Coronavirus has diners reassessing their relationship with eating out. Is it even safe as we a nation recover from Covid-19? Here is information on what restaurants are doing to help keep their customers healthy.
The National Restaurant Association is telling restaurants owners to pay particular attention to wiping down door handles, menus, utensils and salt shakers. According to new information from the National Institutes of Health, researchers found that Coronavirus can remain on cardboard for up to 24 hours, and two to three days on plastic and stainless steel. It can also attach itself to aerosols in the air for up to three hours.
Maybe so, but if you want to take extra precautions, bring your own antimicrobial wipes. Lysol, Purell and Clorox are some of the brand name cleaners the EPA recommends. You can find a complete list of 83 antimicrobial products at www.epa.gov/.
One big question—can the virus be transmitted through infected food? Harvard researchers say although they can’t rule it out, the virus would likely be killed by cooking the food.
Also, you may be wondering if it’s safe to drink the tap water. Experts say these types of viruses are very susceptible to being treated with chlorine, and water treatment plants chlorinate to a level that addresses pathogens like coronavirus. And whether you’re eating out or in, remember, wash your hands before and after.
Some areas of concern are hot and cold bars, like you find in grocery stores. Many are starting to offer pre-packaged foods only.
Sources:
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/cases-in-us.html
https://www.wired.com/story/how-long-does-the-coronavirus-last-on-surfaces/)
https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2020-03/documents/sars-cov-2-list_03-03-2020.pdf
https://www.calwater.com/latest_news/tap-water-safe-from-coronavirus/)
https://coronadatascraper.com/#features.json
Contributor(s) to this news report include: Marsha Lewis, Producer; Roque Correa, Videographer and Editor.
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