A few days ago, Chicago Tribune released an article about how food stamp recipients being at-risk for Coronavirus. The article discusses a single father of six kids and why he fears going out to the grocery shop. The father takes proper precautions and wears gloves and a mask when going out to shop for groceries but is still scared of catching the virus. This father is not the only one scared of in person shopping. Anyone who goes out to grocery stores risk catching COVID-19.
A lot of people are relying on online grocery shopping to decrease the risk of catching the virus. However, food stamp recipients however, do not have this option. They have always always been required for them to claim their benefits by purchasing their groceries in person. Food stamps are ineligible for online orders. Illinois is currently trying to change this while six other states already take food stamp benefits online. The article says implementing this program will take time, but I am glad Illinois is choosing to go through with it.
I think all states should allow food stamp recipients to be able to purchase their groceries online, especially during this pandemic. There are over 37 million people who receive these benefits. If the government wants to decrease the amount of people going out, then giving these 37 million people the option to buy their groceries online will assist in this.
If the government is encouraging people to stay inside, then they should make it achievable for people to be able to stay inside and obtain their necessities. According to Time Magazine, it is safer to order groceries online because it decreases contact with other people and the groceries would be delivered to your door. Online ordering would be especially beneficial for those who are at high risk of catching the virus. Whether they are at the high risk rank or not, if they are able to, people should choose online grocery shopping instead of going out to buy them in person.
According to USA Today, there are too many objects one can tough touch and grab at grocery stores that can potentially spread COVID-19 to customers if not cleaned and sanitized properly. Workers will be unable to sanitize the products sitting on a shelf every time someone touches it, but I know they are trying their best to be as clean as possible.
For everyone’s safety, all states should give food stamp recipients the option of ordering groceries online. Other people who have the option of ordering online should do so to decrease the risk of catching and spreading the virus. People should also be extra cautious when handling surfaces and products when going to grocery stores. If we do all this then it can help in lowering the number of people getting the virus.