Halloween this year will be on a Saturday for the first time in five years. Understandably, this will tempt many young adults to see friends and join in on the festivities like costume parties, haunted houses, and, of course, trick-or-treating.
Although appealing, we should consider how important social distancing is during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that “many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.” While skipping the usual trick-or-treating this year may be disappointing, these social distancing measures help stem the spread of the novel virus.
According to the CDC, the activities we should avoid this Halloween season include:
- Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed out to children going door to door.
- Trunk-or-treating where treats are handed out from the trunks of cars in large parking lots.
- Attending crowded costume parties indoors.
- Indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together.
- Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household or “safety bubble.”
- Consuming alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors.
- Traveling to a fall festival that is not in your community.
While many were looking forward to these activities to join in on the festivities and let loose, there are also some safe activities to do within “safety bubbles.”
If you do want to safely celebrate Halloween this year, check out these activities recommended by the CDC:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins at home.
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.
- Decorating your living space
- Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Virtual Halloween costume contest
- Halloween movie night with people within your “safety bubble.”
- Scavenger trick-or-treating with your household members in or around your home
If these activities do not fill your need to go out, there are still ways to be with your friends and stay safe at the same time. At this time, it is crucial to practice social distancing and avoid indoor gatherings. However, you can still have small outdoor costume parties where people are more than 6 feet apart and wearing masks.
This year’s Halloween, while semi-ruined by Covid-19, can still be a safe and eventful time.
When October 31 comes around, remember:
- Halloween masks are NOT a substitute for cloth masks.
- Wash your hands often and for twenty seconds.
- Keep safe around food and drinks.
- Avoid gestures like shaking hands, bumping elbows, and giving hugs.
Although appealing, we should consider how important social distancing is during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) tells us that “many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.” While skipping the usual trick-or-treating this year may be disappointing, these social distancing measures help stem the spread of the novel virus.
According to the CDC, the activities we should avoid this Halloween season include:
- Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed out to children going door to door.
- Trunk-or-treating where treats are handed out from the trunks of cars in large parking lots.
- Attending crowded costume parties indoors.
- Indoor haunted houses where people may be crowded together.
- Hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household or “safety bubble.”
- Consuming alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors.
- Traveling to a fall festival that is not in your community.
While many were looking forward to these activities to join in on the festivities and let loose, there are also some safe activities to do within “safety bubbles.”
If you do want to safely celebrate Halloween this year, check out these activities recommended by the CDC:
- Carving or decorating pumpkins at home.
- Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends.
- Decorating your living space
- Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
- Virtual Halloween costume contest
- Halloween movie night with people within your “safety bubble.”
- Scavenger trick-or-treating with your household members in or around your home
If these activities do not fill your need to go out, there are still ways to be with your friends and stay safe at the same time. At this time, it is crucial to practice social distancing and avoid indoor gatherings. However, you can still have small outdoor costume parties where people are more than 6 feet apart and wearing masks.
This year’s Halloween, while semi-ruined by Covid-19, can still be a safe and eventful time.
When October 31 comes around, remember:
- Halloween masks are NOT a substitute for cloth masks.
- Wash your hands often and for twenty seconds.
- Keep safe around food and drinks.
- Avoid gestures like shaking hands, bumping elbows, and giving hugs.
