New Brunswick, N.J. (March 11, 2021) – Rutgers University–New Brunswick Professor Donald W. Schaffner is available for interviews on the likelihood of becoming infected by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus via shopping, groceries, surfaces and airborne/aerosol transmission after a year of lockdowns due to the global pandemic.
“We still believe food and food packaging represent a negligible risk of infection,” said Schaffner, a food microbiologist, extension specialist in food science and Distinguished Professor in the Department of Food Science in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences. “The biggest risk when shopping would be the other people in the store. It’s most important to wear a mask (or two) and maintain physical distance wherever possible. For added safety, use a hand sanitizer after exiting the store and wash your hands when you get home.”
“Although people may be tempted to relax now that the end may be in sight because of vaccines, it’s very important that everyone maintain their vigilance and hang on for just a few more months,” he said.
Schaffner, who focuses on predictive food microbiology and quantitative microbial risk assessment and has studied handwashing for more than 20 years, is available to comment at don.schaffner@rutgers.edu
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