And I get it this is respiratory and not oral spread. But all I want is the evidence saying this prepared food is safe.
It's based more on general knowledge of how respiratory viruses tend to be transmitted (via droplets landing on mucous membranes and especially via aerosols inhaled into lungs), including other respiratory coronaviruses. However, a small number of cases present with diarrhea as a symptom, and it does raise the question whether they got it via an intestinal route. Stomach acid actually neutralizes most bacteria and viruses, and this coronavirus capsule is pretty fragile (not like norovirus which is pretty tough and long lasting), but it's possible people on proton pump inhibitors, or with conditions leading to a compromised intestinal mucosal boundary, could be more vulnerable to ingestion of the virus, even if most people aren't likely to get it this way.
I'm not sure that's evidence that can ever be definitively provided, except via the absence of cases attributed directly to this. Of course, absence of evidence is not evidence of absence, and most cases now are unknown in their origin. The only possibility for future definitive evidence is as more people self isolate for more than two weeks and only obtain food via delivery, we will know whether the people exhibiting that level of isolation are getting the virus or not (and if so, how frequently are they getting it).
This is a good article about potential modes of transmission and the need for health agencies to be clearer with terminology and more consistent with their messaging about routes of transmission.
http://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news-pers...19-transmission-messages-should-hinge-science
There is, I suspect, bigger risk with going to the grocery store, or to pick up take out if the place is crowded. Our local Trader Joes is evidently enforcing social distancing--limiting the number of people allowed in the store at a time and lining people up six feet apart outside--but most other stores are not.
Some folks are still clueless. I had a package of amazon basics white washcloths delivered today (for use as bleach cloths), and the guy knocked on the door and wanted us to sign for a 12 package! This delivery guy was kind of taken aback when my spouse asked him to leave the little electronic thingy on the ledge and stand back a ways while he (my spouse) signed. It's like he had no idea there was this epidemic going on and we are supposed to isolate as much as possible. All that for a 12 dollar package of cleaning cloths.
For comparison, a year and a half ago UPS left my computer on the porch when they came to deliver it when I was at work a year and a half ago--didn't need a signature for something worth nearly 2k. Luckily it was still there when I got back.
Good luck, I hope you come through it safely and quickly!