PHOENIX (3TV/CBS 5) -Â The Arizona Restaurant Association is stepping up efforts to help businesses struggling to get by during the coronavirus pandemic.
Monday was the official start of Takeout Week, which encourages customers to pick-up food from their favorite restaurants. Getting takeout food is supposed to be fairly safe, but not everyone is convinced.
There are still worries about getting takeout.
"I thought about that coming up Missouri, and I saw Starbucks," said customer Geri Hernandez. "I thought, was everybody taking care of themselves while they are serving because they are reaching out the window and they're talking to people, and we are not supposed to be that close."
The coronavirus has everyone on edge, with people wondering what they should and shouldn't do. Dr. Dan Quan is an emergency physician with the Valleywise Health Medical Center. He said the coronavirus can live on food containers and takeout bags, but there are things people can do to reduce the chances of being exposed.
The coronavirus can live on food containers and take-out bags, but there are things people can do to reduce the chances of being exposed.
"If you are concerned that maybe a container is contaminated, pour it into a different container, then dispose of container and wash your hands," said Quan. "It's hard to avoid no matter what, so even if you have a person delivering, or you pick up the food, there's (sic) still people handling the container anyway. Whether it's the person making food, or the person going to deliver it - there's still a risk."
"Whether it's the person making food, or the person going to deliver it - there's still a risk,"Â said Quan.
Health experts say there's also a risk going to the grocery store, so wipe down everything you can and keep washing up and using hand sanitizer. Gas stations are also a concern.
Glenn Wike of Phoenix calls it our new way of life.
"Any time I go out in public, I'm trying to be careful about touching surfaces that others are touching," said Wike. "As soon as I hop into the car, I'm hand sanitizing as well. You can't be too careful."
