hubby wants to order pizza delivered. He claims the coronavirus doesn't live on food.

[CTyankee]

I don't trust that and I don't know where he got it. Does anybody know if that's true?

[Renew Deal]

1. I wouldn't worry about cooked food

The packaging is a different story.

[still_one]

2. Put it in the microwave if you are concerned

[meow2u3]

12. Or even stick it in the oven for a few minutes

Not only does it kill any residual viruses, it also reheats the food in case it gets cold when it arrives.

[still_one]

15. +++

[Calculating]

3. That's most definitely NOT true

However, you SHOULD still be relatively safe ordering pizza. As long as nobody coughs/sneezes on the pizza after it leaves the oven it should be safe. We need to continue trying to live our lives, because this virus is gonna be with us for quite a while.

[LiberalArkie]

34. I would imagine that the salt content alone would make it safe

[USALiberal]

4. We are ordering pizza also. Wiping off box before opening. Small chance I assume. nt

[friendly_iconoclast]

8. This. Wipe the box off- the food inside will be safe

[irisblue]

5. Heating & cooking the food kills the virus on the food itself

That will not impact the placing the pizza inside the box, closing the box, placing it in the to go bag and the delivery person.

A suggestion, if you have a long term place you use, give them a call, ask about mask& glove usage during packing up the food. That might put your mind at ease some.

[Beakybird]

6. Since the virus originated in China, it is lactose intolerant.

Vegan pizza would be a different matter.
I'm a musician, but I read up on scientific stuff.

[Roland99]

26. you sound like a stable genius

do you have a podcast and/or newsletter?

[leftieNanner]

27. Very funny!

[lame54]

7. How about the pizza box...

Always weary of bringing in the mail

[leftieNanner]

28. Whenever I pick up the mail or the newspaper

I always come in the house and wash my hands.

The skin on my hands is so dry and itchy now...

[madaboutharry]

9. The cardboard box might be more of a concern.

I would open the box and then wash my hands really well before I took the pizza out. I would then throw away the box and wash my hands again before I ate. I might think about putting it in the microwave for a minute or so.

[MerryBlooms]

10. We're ordering take-n-bake pizzas for tonight.

I figured take wrapping off, wash hands well, then the 425 or 450 degree oven would kill anything that could possible be on the pizza? Not sure, but that's our crazy solution.

[Salviati]

32. A food temperature of 165 degrees is sufficient from what I've read

A take and bake pizza cooked at 425 should be perfectly safe, and if one is concerned about delivery, you should just be able to pop it in a warm oven for a bit and give it an extra blast of heat if you want to be extra safe.

[MerryBlooms]

33. Thanks!

[Polybius]

11. It can love on the box or the money you hand the delivery person

But we still have to eat. I ordered Chinese last night. I picked it up then used hand sanitizer before I ate.

[Mike 03]

13. That's what someone on the CNN Coronavirus Town Hall said last night.

Of course, everybody is worried about the unthinkable: having the chef or the person putting it in the box sneeze or cough directly on the food.

Last night they said the packaging is more of an issue. Sanjay Gupta said he removes everything from any package on his doorstep and doesn't bring the packaging inside, and wipes down the contents if it can be wiped down.

[EllieBC]

14. I want pizza.

Can I come stand on the lawn and you just throw me a slice?

[Amishman]

16. pizza probably is the safest takeout option

Boxes are assembled hours or days in advance

Entire food is cooked at high temps and goes straight in the box.

minimal handling post cooking, just a quick cut. Would be even safer if you ask them not to cut it.

[GoCubsGo]

17. Well, it's not going to live on molten-hot pizza.

Nothing will. Which is what your pizza will be as it is taken from the oven and boxed up. Your concern should be the outside of the box it comes in. If you remove the pizza, immediately dispose of the box, and wash your hands, the odds of you catching anything are pretty much nil. The same goes for any other carry-outs. Pour it into one of your own containers, get rid of the container in which it came, wash your hands.

[milestogo]

18. What kind of pizza?

[CTyankee]

22. Onion, pepper and sausage.

I like clam but am outvoted (I don't know how that works since there are just the two of us).

[LanternWaste]

31. Clam? On pizza? Heretical nonsense, I say!!!!

Is seafood on pizza a regional thing? I've never, ever heard of it before your post.

But still... I would have voted against it too. I'm a patriot.

[CTyankee]

35. Well, yes. I live in New Haven where clam pizza is legendary and has a wonderful story...

https://theculturetrip.com/north-america/usa/connecticut/articles/where-to-get-the-best-white-clam-pizza-in-new-haven-ct/

I never had it until I came to New Haven and I had lived in and near NYC for a number of years. It is really good and I love it.

[wiggs]

19. No such thing as overkill now. Be careful. move pizza from box to plates or glass platter that

someone else holds. throw away box, wash hand well. person holding pizza should nuke in microwave for a bit.

nothing comes in our house that hasn't been disinfected and/or quarantined. I've brought in some foods I can't wash but I'm not eating them right away, giving time for any contamination to go away as much as possible.

Having prepared food like pizza delivered fine but if you want to increase chances of decontamination from 95% probably OK to 99% probably OK then nuke it before eating (totally made up numbers).

If you shoot for over-doing it there will still be chances for infection but that's better than shooting for 'probably OK' and missing the mark.

[Jirel]

20. Not true.

It can live on anything. However, unless you're living in a hotspot, the likelihood that you have someone with COVID-19 making your pizza is low. I would have no qualms ordering pizza where I live. But if you're in NYC or San Fran, or such, that might be a different story.

[OhZone]

21. Wouldn't one sneeze, tear, cough, spitty talking, or energetic kazoo playing, etc -

end it for you?

Better reheat that real good!

[Squinch]

23. Im getting takeout to help my restaurant neighbors. Transfer to a plate

and nuke till temperature is 175 ish.

Turns out pickles are nice hot.

[Freddie]

24. Support your local businesses!

And tip the driver well!
Getting pizza delivered tonite as well. Will wash hands well after handling the box.

[KayF]

25. what do you want on your Tombstone

very sorry

[zackymilly]

30. LOL we have the same warped sense of humor. Hi. n/t

[zackymilly]

29. Do you trust your food preparer not to sneeze on your food?

I worked pizza parlors during my college days, and I know what can go on in the kitchen when someone comes to work sick or in a bad mood. I make my pizza at home ever since.