Thanks everyone for your useful inputs.

Here are the steps I followed to successfully resolve this issue (I am almost sure, this will work for other editors as well e.g. Jupyter).

1. After realizing that I didn't yet install conda, I followed these instructions to first install miniconda:

   1. conda list (this command on your terminal will comeback with conda not found if it is not installed)

   2. https://www.anaconda.com/docs/getting-started/miniconda/install#mac-os

2. Then install the numpy package in the conda environment you desire:

   1. conda create --name myEnv (where myEnv is the name of the environment you want to have your numpy package etc installed)

   2. conda activate myEnv (to switch from base to myEnv)

   3. conda install numpy (to install the package itself)

3. Now, you are almost ready to start using your numpy package. If you do import numpy in your VSCode now, you will still get the traceback error. That is because you are not yet using your myEnv (where numpy is installed) in your VSCode editor. This step will start using the myEnv in your VSCode editor.

   1. On the bottom right corner of your VSCode editor, you will see the version of python you are currently using. Click on it:

   2. enter image description here - You will see a 'Select Interpreter' menu. You should see your new 'myEnv' environment within miniconda bin. Choose that. If you don't see your myEnv here, then restart VSCode to force it to recognize the new environment.

   3. Now, import numpy command should work!

I am sure there are several ways to solve this problem (e.g. you could use a virtual environment as opposed to conda). But, this worked for me, hopefully you will find this helpful.

Thanks