Coronavirus Update

Although there is no need to panic, we are writing to share information on how Lemon Street Market is working to protect both shoppers and employees in light of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

We all hope that the spread of COVID-19 is curtailed as soon as possible. The advice given here is applicable at any time of year, not just flu and cold season. We look forward to seeing you in the store, and continuing to provide healthy, local provisions to the community in the days ahead.

This is an ever-changing situation that we will continue to monitor very closely. We will notify our team and shoppers with any updates. Any questions, comments, or concerns can be directed to info@lemonstreetmarket.com.

March 17, 2020:

Grocery stores are essential. We are doing everything we can to continue our operations and have no plans to close our store. We will continue to be here for you in this time of need. Please take care of yourselves, our team, and your neighbors by observing the following:

– Use cashless payments whenever possible. While under normal circumstances we encourage shoppers to use cash whenever possible (which is best for small businesses like ours), this is not a normal situation. Due to COVID-19, we encourage you to use cash-free payment methods whenever possible in order to protect the health of our cashiers and limit the spread of the virus and other germs. We accept all major credit cards, debit cards, EBT, checks, and cash, and will continue wiping machines as much as possible (use the pen!)

– Stay 6-feet away from others while shopping.

– All sales are final. We will not be accepting returns as of March 17, 2020.

March 9, 2020:

A History of Coronaviruses

Coronaviruses, first documented in the 1960s, are a family of viruses which, most of the time, cause symptoms similar to a bad cold, causing mild to moderate upper respiratory problems such as a runny nose and sore throat. They can also be potentially deadly, such as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS), which occurred in the early 2000s infecting over 8,000 people and killing over 800, and Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS), first found in Saudi Arabia in 2012, with 2,500 infected and over 800 deaths.

The latest coronavirus, COVID-19 was first identified in Wuhan, China, last year. While the death rate is far less than SARS (10%) and MERS (30%), COVID-19 has spread much more than those two, with over 100,000 documented infected people around the globe. The death rate of over 3% means that nearly 3,500 people have already died worldwide. Information about the outbreak is constantly changing, but as of our research for this post (March 7, 2020), no one under the age of 18 has died from the disease (and they seem to have a low rate of infection), and almost all deaths have been among the elderly (over 80).

As of Saturday, March 7, there are just over 300 reported cases in the US, including at least 2 identified in Pennsylvania. There is little doubt that the virus will continue to spread. The outbreak has already caused many to curtail travel plans, caused disruptions in the supply chain for many products, and will undoubtedly continue to cause disruptions in the economic sector and our daily lives.

How Will Lemon Street Market Protect Shoppers & Employees?

– We have disinfectant wipes at the checkout for our team to frequently wipe off the credit card machines, shopping cart handles, restroom doors, light switches, and other items that are frequently handled. If you wish to wipe off a cart before you use it, feel free to ask the cashier for a wipe.

– We will reduce in-store food sampling and passive demos to try to reduce the spread of germs. We will continue to offer “testers” in our health and wellness department but will frequently wipe off the spout/squirt container. We will be frequently wiping off the pumps of bulk personal care/cleaning pumps, olive oil/vinegar spigots, pens, and other items often touched by customers.

– As always, our employees will continue to frequently wash their hands with hot water and soap, and we will continue to make sure that high-trafficked areas of the store will be washed and disinfected to help avoid the spread of germs.

– We have reminded our team members not to come into work if they are sick.

– Our kitchen has an exemplary record of food safety and has always had excellent health inspections. Our kitchen staff have always taken extra precautions to prevent the spread of germs, but we will be reviewing all of our food safety practices with our team so that shoppers can trust that the local, non-GMO food served at Lemon Street Market is not only delicious, but safe to consume.

How Can You Protect Yourself?

Based on what we know now, the COVID-19 spreads through direct contact with infected individuals or contact with droplets from sneezes and coughs. While there are no cures or vaccines for the COVID-19, there are several steps one can take to avoid spreading and contracting the virus. Strengthening your immune system will ensure that if you do contract COVID-19, or any other viruses, your body is poised for recovery.

Wash your hands – Frequent hand washing with soap and warm water is important for protecting against all infectious diseases. Use hand sanitizers and disinfectants if you don’t have a sink/soap closeby – sanitizers can reduce viral spread by over 85%.

Disinfect surfaces – Coronaviruses can persist on surfaces for up to 9 days. Make sure you clean or disinfect surfaces in your home, especially if you think someone might be infected. Any product marked as a disinfectant, or that contains ethanol or hydrogen peroxide, will work to remove the virus from the surface. You can also scrub the surface with soap and water (a 20 second scrub, like when you wash your hands for 20 seconds).

Strengthen immunity – The elderly and immune-compromised among us have a much higher rate of death from all viruses. Minimizing the spread of COVID-19 and taking steps to strengthen your immune system are vital.

How Can You Boost Your Immune System?

Exercise – Regular exercise mobilizes T cells, a type of white blood cells which guard the body against infection. However, continuous rigorous workouts can actually weaken the immune system, so moderation is key.

Sleep – A solid 7-8 hours is needed to avoid reducing the activities of T cells in your body.

Less stress – Stress can release the hormone cortisol, which negatively affects T cell reproduction. Try meditation or deep breathing each day to reduce your stress levels.

Moderate alcohol intake – Excess intake (more than 2 drinks/day) of alcohol can negatively affect the immune system.

Stop smoking – Smoking impairs the immune system, and you have a significantly higher chance of being seriously affected by virus infections.

Eat a healthy diet – Vegetables, fruits, seeds, and nuts are loaded with nutrients essential to immune health. A diet rich in colorful food typically will be higher in valuable vitamins. The following foods can help you strengthen your immune system:

– Citrus
– Red bell peppers
– Broccoli
– Garlic
– Ginger
– Spinach
– Turmeric
– Green Tea
– Kiwi
– Fermented vegetables
– Bone broth from grass-fed beef or pastured poultry

Antiviral herbs and supplements – At the first sign of illness, you may want to add some of these items into your daily routine: CBD, elderberry syrup, mushrooms and mushroom supplements, Manuka honey, oregano oil, garlic, and/or bulk herbs to craft your own immune boosting tea.

Herbs, vitamins, and supplements – While the hope is that you can get many needed nutrients from your diet, supplementing can help improve your immune system. Here are just a few things you may want to include in your daily routine:

Echinacea, elderberry, and zinc.
Vitamins A, B6, C, D & E all help strengthen your immune system, and especially Vitamin C, which you can get from citrus fruits, spinach, and strawberries.
Gut health is very important for a healthy immune system. Probiotics (like kefir, miso, kombucha, and kimchi) are very useful for improving gut health.