COVID-19 and the flu – respiratory infections that can trigger asthma symptoms – spread easily from person to person. Shopping in crowded stores can increase the spread of respiratory infections. Luckily, there are options to help you protect yourself and others. Many of the same items you can buy in stores are available through at-home shopping.

Health Benefits to Shopping From Home

Many people shop from home because of how easy it is to have items delivered right to your door. You don’t have to leave the house, and staying home is one of the best ways to protect yourself from a respiratory infection.

Thankfully, you have many options for shopping from your computer, smartphone, or television. You can order almost anything on home shopping channels, online, or through an app. Using contactless shopping will help reduce your chance of catching the flu, a cold, or the coronavirus.

If you are high risk for COVID-19 and don’t have access to online shopping options, ask a friend or family member if they can pick up items for you. Ask them to deliver the items without contact by leaving items at your door.

Below are a few ways to shop from home during the holidays and beyond. Remember to wash your hands after you pick up a curbside order or receive a delivery!

Pharmacy

• Have your medicines delivered. Your insurance company may offer mail delivery. Work with your insurance company and doctor to fill out the forms to sign up. Getting medicines by mail may cost less or more than picking them up at the pharmacy. Ask your insurance company if your cost will change.
  
  
• Many pharmacies also offer local delivery. Check with your pharmacy to see if this option is available.
  
  
• If you don’t have access to either option, use a pharmacy with a drive-thru window or curbside pickup to avoid going into the store.
  
  

Grocery

• Instead of spending time in grocery stores, order your items and have them delivered, or choose curbside pickup.
• Buy a pre-prepared meal for holidays or special occasions instead going to a restaurant. Order your meal from a local grocery store or restaurant and have it delivered. Or chose curbside pickup for takeout.

• If you have food allergies, buy allergy-friendly foods in larger amounts when you can. This can prevent visits to many different stores to find safe foods.
  
  

Gifts

• Support local businesses. Many local businesses are feeling the financial effects of the coronavirus. Contact them to see what options they offer to allow you to buy items over the phone, online, or through an app. Ask if they offer curbside pickup or delivery.
  
  

Amazon.com: Help People With Asthma and Allergies While You Shop

Amazon is one of the most popular online shopping sites. And when you shop at Amazon, you can also help people with asthma and allergies.

Through AmazonSmile, Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of your eligible purchases to the charity of your choice. There is no cost to you.

You can choose the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA) as your AmazonSmile charity. Here is how to set up your AmazonSmile account:

1. Go to smile.amazon.com and create or sign into your account.
   
   
2. In the “Select a Charitable Organization” search box, type Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America.
   
   

3. Choose Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America National from the list. Click the Select button. Note: Some of AAFA’s regional chapters are also on Amazon Smile.

Once you’ve selected AAFA National as your charity, go to smile.amazon.com to shop or shop from the app on your smart phone or tablet.

If you find this information helpful, please consider supporting our work. Your life-saving gifts help reduce the burden of disease for people with asthma and allergies through support, advocacy, education, and research.

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