How COVID19 is effecting food industry and what are the myths
COVID -19: Facts and Myths
In the wake of the Coronavirus outbreak, lots of news is free-flowing everywhere on things one should do or not do. There are WhatsApp forwards, Facebook posts, tweets, videos, and whatnot. People have all sorts of views on how the virus spreads and how it doesn’t. As a result, there is a mass fear that no place is safe for eating out.
For restaurants or the QSR industry in general, the need of the hour is to come up with ideas to create a safe environment for their employees as well as customers. And McDonald’s is already doing that. In fact, the QSR giant is one of the first companies to come up with measures that would help people stay informed about all sorts of safety practices they need to follow.
The first step in this direction is to bust certain myths around Coronavirus. While staying safe is very important, it is equally important to not spread false information that may help spread false fear. Here are a few facts and myths around the virus that we must be very careful about.
Myth
Coronavirus can be transmitted through tables and chairs.
Fact
World Health Organization (WHO) says that it is not possible for coronavirus to stay alive for a long time on surfaces. So one does not need to worry about catching the virus from an object. McDonald’s, however, is still taking stringent measures to make sure its trays, tables, chairs, and self-ordering kiosks are disinfected using an alcohol-based sanitizer at regular intervals throughout the day.
Myth
One can get infected from delivery packages.
Fact
Since the virus is very fragile (thankfully), it not possible for it to survive outside the human body. This means you really can’t get infected by opening a mail or a package. McDonald’s assures its customers that every McDelivery order is untouched by hands. The crew members wear gloves while assembling the menu items and packing them. The McDelivery agents do not touch the products as well. The only hands that actually get to touch the product ordered are the customers!
There is one new announcement as well. McDonald’s India (West & South) has now introduced Contactless delivery. This will be like usual McDelivery service, but with a change. When your McDelivery rider hangs the food at your door, you will be sent a notification on your mobile that your food has arrived. Once you open your gate to retrieve the order, your McDelivery Rider will be watching from a safe distance.
This last step is to ensure that your carefully packed, untouched-by-hands food has been delivered under right conditions, and has been delivered to you, that there is no scope of and infection between the time the food is kept at your door and you receiving it. The government has announced the closure of malls and restaurants as a safety measure. This means people will be extra depending on the home delivery system to get their favorite food.
With Contactless Delivery in place, McDonald’s India (West & South) aims to offer the best delivery service under the safest and hygienic conditions possible. With all the precautions you are already taking, a Contactless Delivery should assure of extra safety of food that you are not preparing.
Myth
One can get coronavirus by eating Chinese food.
Fact
The virus is everywhere now. From Iran to Italy. Coronavirus doesn’t exclusively impact a particular cuisine. It can be transferred to anyone who comes in contact with an infected person. So it would be naïve to think that if you are eating only Indian or Mediterranean food, you are safe. Similarly, if you eat Chinese food, that doesn’t mean you will contract the virus immediately.
Myth
Everyone needs to wear a mask.
Fact
Not really. According to the Health Ministry, you need to wear a mask if you are feeling unwell, or are sneezing or coughing. If you do not have a mask and you must sneeze, cover your mouth with a tissue paper or your sleeve and wash your hands as soon as you can. Also, no not touch your face or eyes. But do wear a mask if you are feeling sick.
You should also wear a mask if you are taking care of someone who is not well. Others just need to practice social distancing and wash their hands frequently. Also, there is a very important point. If you are not sick and are still buying masks, you are adding to the problem of mask shortage right now. There are doctors and people working in crowded environments who actually need masks every day. One has to think about this as well.
Myth
Home remedies can help you from catching the virus or even curing it.
Fact
A big NO. If you are feeling sick, see a doctor right away. Do not take those WhatsApp forwards seriously. They are either driving people to panic or creating false reassurance that all good and green stuff is enough to keep coronavirus away. Listen to WHO scientists and doctors. No matter how much Vitamin C, water or turmeric or garlic you take, you can still get infected. Get yourself checked right away if you feel even a little unwell. COVID 19 is not like fever or usual flu. Under no circumstances should you be dependent on home remedies for avoiding or curing the virus.
Myth
Heat helps. Avoiding ice-creams can help you prevent coronavirus.
Fact
Again, heating your body will never cure you. If you are feeling unwell, don’t go in the sun, go to a hospital instead. According to a few reports, a warm-weather will help curb the spread, but once a person is infected, no amount of hot weather can help him or she gets better. As far as avoiding ice-cream is concerned, that will also not help anyone from catching the virus.
Myth
Everyone who has coronavirus dies.
Fact
This is again paranoia. While some countries have more fatalities than others, it is very important to remember that not everyone who gets COVID 19 ends up dying. The virus is fatal only to a small number of people. People above 60 years of age are vulnerable though. What you can do is to not avoid any symptoms and see a doctor. At the risk of looking like a paranoid person, just see a doctor and get yourself checked.
Myth
Eating chicken, meat or fish can cause coronavirus
Fact
Eating Chicken, Fish, Duck, or any other meat will not help you catch the virus. However, it is very important to carefully cook your meat before eating. Do not eat raw meat. Do not even think about ordering a medium-rare steak. All meat should be fully cooked. If you are cooking meat at home, make sure you wash your hands between working on your raw meat and vegetables. Even utensils handling meat need to be washed thoroughly.
Across the globe, the next few weeks are supercritical. If we can contain the number of infected people, that would be a big relief. As a result, schools, colleges, cinema halls, and even malls are getting closed. It is time for everyone to put in efforts to not play a part in spreading this virus. Practice social distancing. No parties, get-togethers or events. Everyone is advised to stay home and maintain proper hygiene practices.
There will never be a better time to stay home, talk to our family members, spend time with each other. If you stay alone, you can make a list of things you can do to keep yourself entertained or occupied. You can watch movies on Netflix or Amazon Prime, you can read all those books you have been meaning to, you can make a Pinterest Board and put in as many ideas as possible.
But the idea that tops it all is a good, old spring clean. It will not just keep you very occupied (we are talking about deep clean) but also leave you very satisfied in the end. You will feel productive as well. And most importantly, you will end up disinfecting your house which will help you stay safe!
