Since the beginning of the pandemic, experts have flip-flopped on advice on how to protect yourself from COVID-19. As we learned more about the disease, certain facts held true, such as the importance of wearing masks, washing hands, and staying away from other people. But some of the advice turned out to be unnecessary as scientists sorted through the research. Here are some examples:

1. You don’t have to wipe down grocery bags. At the start of the pandemic, experts recommended disinfecting grocery bags, takeout containers, and other food items brought into the home. However, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) now says “that there is currently no evidence of human or animal food packaging being associated with the transmission of the coronavirus that causes COVID-19.” Experts now say that the risk of getting the virus from surfaces, including grocery packaging, is “exceedingly small,” according to the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle.
2. You don’t have to stockpile toilet paper. According to Eat This, Not That!, the supply chain has caught up with the demand, so we don’t anticipate shortages if a second wave of COVID-19 causes another quarantine.
3. You don’t have to take a bunch of vitamins. Supplements such as vitamin D, zinc and vitamin C can all boost your immune system, but you do not have to go overboard, say experts. Dr. Anthony Fauci, the 79-year-old head of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told Business Insider that he takes vitamin D and C supplements to lessen susceptibility to infection. He added that to boost immunity, people should “get a reasonable amount of sleep, get a good diet and try to alleviate stress, which we know can sometimes impact the immune system.”
4. You don’t have to wear gloves. In the early days of the pandemic, Americans were told to dress like doctors preparing for surgery to do their shopping. Now, experts say that wearing gloves in public may backfire, according to Eat This, Not That! “Gloves provide a false sense of security and may actually increase the virus’ spread,” said Erica Hoyt, a senior lecturer in healthcare from the University of Central Florida. It is better to wash your hands thoroughly after shopping and putting away the groceries.
5. You don’t have to disinfect every package that comes to your home. Much like grocery bags, there is little chance that the virus survives on packaging, says the Centers for Diseased Control and Protection. However, it’s still a good idea to remove the packaging outside the home and wash your hands afterwards.