Like many holidays this year, Halloween, too, will be celebrated differently.
Halloween occurs this weekend just as Arkansas sees a daily surge in COVID-19 cases. It may be appealing to put fun and tradition above health and safety, but don’t cave into temptation. Your family’s health should come first.
In a recent interview, Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease since 1984, expressed his concern that upcoming holiday celebrations could increase transmission rates. That includes Halloween.
Trunk-or-treats may appear safe because treats are handed out from car trunks lined up in large parking lots. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), however, lists these as a high-risk activity. Also considered high-risk this Halloween:
- Going to a haunted house regardless of promoted safety guidelines
- Traveling to a rural fall festival
- Participating in a hayride with strangers
According to the CDC, there are still ways to celebrate holidays, but you may have to limit your activities or get a bit creative. Who knows, you might even create new traditions.
Halloween fun ideas
If you are staying home and giving out candy:
- Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters
- Give out treats outdoors and wear a mask
- Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to pick up
If you are taking a child trick or treating:
- Make a cloth mask part of the costume
- Stay at least 6 feet away from others
- Use hand sanitizer often
Fun, safe Halloween activities:
- Carve pumpkins
- Hide candy in the house and let the kids find it
- Watch age-appropriate scary movies
You can also make some hot cider, dress in your costumes and host a virtual costume party online with friends from your neighborhood, in another state or even another country.
Remember the most important thing this holiday season is to keep your family and friends safe and healthy.