Is It Really Safe to Eat Take-Out?

One of the most valuable guests we've had during the developing coronavirus story has been the chairman of Southcoast Health's Infectious Disease Prevention board, Dr. Eliesel Lacerda De La Cruz. Week after week, he has patiently answered all of our questions about COVID-19 – there always seem to be new ones popping up.

Listen to the doctor's entire appearance on the Rock and Fox Show here:

In addition to answering our questions, the doctor also answered questions from our listeners. One of our listeners asked about take-out food. He wondered if ordering take-out food was actually safe and if so, why?

"I think what you have to be mindful of is that you want to be sure that you wash your hands before and after opening the take-out bag," Dr. Lacerda De La Cruz said. "If the food packaging can be cleaned with a wipe, you can go ahead and clean it off, and then wash your hands."

Dr. Lacerda De La Cruz told us that COVID-19 is not a foodborne illness. He is not concerned about the virus being transmitted on the food. He suggests making sure that the plastic containers, etc. are cleaned after they were handled by others.

"If we continue business as usual, we know exactly how that turns out. We've seen that in Italy," he said. "But if we have to shut down everything for weeks and weeks and weeks, then that is going to be devastating to the economy. I don't envy politicians that need to make this decision, but I think right now the most important thing is to try to flatten this curve."