In the early days of the coronavirus pandemic, stay-at-home orders saw us venturing out of our houses rarely, if ever. Months later, much of our normal economic activity has resumed. If we’re honest, we probably mask up and head to the store about as often as in the old days.
Unfortunately, that nonchalance poses a danger. Covid-19 case counts are climbing again, reaching record levels in some states and nationwide. With colder weather sending us back indoors, it’s time to renew our vigilance.
Luckily, we have the internet on our side. Before you go looking for your car keys, grab your phone or laptop instead. Here are 10 things you should never have to go to the store for:
1. Eyewear
Say you’re in quarantine, and your glasses break, or you lose a contact. What are you supposed to do? Don’t remain in a fog — buy your glasses and contacts online.
As long as you have an active prescription, you can order a pair of replacement lenses from a site like Zenni. Not sure about frames? Upload a selfie, and try on a digital pair. You can see how you like the look before committing to a purchase.
2. Birth Control
Your health and wellness needs don’t stop just because you’re staying close to home. While you can easily stock up on most products you require, birth control may have flown under your radar. With many doctor’s offices still limiting patient visits, you could find yourself in a bind getting your prescription refilled. Luckily for you, there’s an easy solution for securing your birth control online.
Companies like Nurx are committed to helping improve access to birth control that is convenient and affordable. Start with a provider consultation online for just $15, and you may qualify to have your prescription sent straight to your doorstep.
3. Prescriptions
Besides birth control, you may have other medications that will need refilling during the ongoing pandemic. Pharmacists are being especially careful at this time, as they’re more likely to encounter sick people. Help them out by ordering your medications for delivery.
Support your local pharmacies by asking whether they offer delivery to your home. If not, reputable online pharmacies like PillPack and ZipDrug can get you the meds you need. You can also save yourself a trip to the drugstore by purchasing your over-the-counter drugs online.
4. Cars and Trucks
Have you ever imagined a world where a car can be delivered to your house? Well, you’re living in it.
Not only can you do your vehicle window shopping online, with sites like TrueCar, you can have one dispatched directly to your address. That’s particularly helpful now, as it saves you from the typical dealership-to-dealership car hunt that could increase your risk of Covid exposure.
Of course, you won’t want to make such a major purchase without seeing the product in person. Many dealerships allow salespeople to bring a vehicle to your home so you can take a test drive.
Do extensive research on the car you’re buying so that, when it arrives, you get exactly what you were hoping for. Companies like Carvana do have a return policy, but it’s better to get it right the first time.
5. Healthy Meals
Food delivery has been around forever, particularly in urban areas. However, ordering pizza every night isn’t the healthiest choice, and your favorite fish tacos don’t taste as good in a styrofoam clamshell.
Instead of braving the drive-through for greasy fast food, explore meal prep options. Blue Apron, Freshly, and other meal kit providers take the “me” out of meal planning. You can enjoy healthy, hearty meals every day with little effort. They provide the ingredients, appropriate portion sizes, and simple recipes.
Best of all, you can get these wonderful dishes delivered to you whether you live in New York City or New Franklin, Missouri. It’s a safe and delicious option that will have you feeling a lot better once you do venture out of the house again.
6. Baby Supplies
Parents are among those most concerned about the Covid-19 pandemic. Naturally, they want to safeguard their children, but they also have to stay healthy themselves to continue caring for them. Fortunately, baby supplies are easy to buy online from the comfort of your glider rocker.
If your supply of diapers, formula, or baby wipes is running low, place an online order. Continued pandemic supply chain issues might keep you from finding your usual brand, but you’ll likely see little difference in quality. For maximum peace of mind, set up auto-deliveries to keep the supplies coming while you focus on parenting.
7. Groceries
Supermarkets were experimenting with grocery delivery long before coronavirus became a threat. Families with busy schedules and individuals with limited mobility were grateful to get the food and supplies they needed delivered directly to their home. The convenience alone was hard to say “no” to.
These days, you can add safety to the list of online grocery shopping’s advantages. You’re doubtless going to need to restock your fridge and pantry shelves before Covid-19 gives up the ghost. Order your groceries online for delivery, or at the very least, seek out pick-up options that minimize contact.
8. Pet Food
You’re not the only one who needs sustenance at home. Your pets have no idea what a global pandemic is; they just expect their bowls to be filled each day. Keep them stocked on doggie chow by ordering their food online. Better yet, set up a monthly subscription.
Ordering pet food is just as easy as getting your groceries online — in fact, it’s easier. Pets aren’t as picky about the type of food they get, as long as it fills up their bellies.
9. Office Supplies
Working from home as a result of Covid-19? You’re hardly alone. And you won’t be the only remote worker either having to establish a home office or keeping one supplied through online shipments.
Staples, Office Depot, and other companies will be happy to send everything from printer toner and paper to rolling chairs and desks. Whatever will help you maintain productivity when working at home, add it to your cart.
10. Soap and Cleansers
There’s no better time to deep clean the house than when you’re already stuck there. You can buy all the cleaning supplies you need online, and you won’t even have to lug them in from your car. Just wait for them to be dropped off at your front door, and you’ll be ready to start spic-and-spanning your home.
Many emerging eco-friendly companies offer products without harsh chemicals or excess plastic. From them, you can buy anything from laundry detergent and dish soap to shampoo and body wash. Look around, and you’ll even see some bulk deals you won’t find at the store.
See anything on this list you’re in need of? Time to open up that web browser. You can get almost all the necessities of life from the comfort and safety of home.