Halloween 2020 is gearing up to be the year's scariest holiday yet.
Despite the fact that several states are starting to ease coronavirus restrictions, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to pose a serious danger to people around the world. That's why it's crucial for everyone to take proper precautions when partaking in festive fall activities and safe Halloween celebrations.
As far as I'm concerned, Halloween 2020 is a perfect opportunity to stay home, watch movies, and consume massive amounts of candy alone on your couch. But if you're hoping for more exciting plans or looking to entertain kids, you definitely have some other quality options.
After consulting the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines and speaking with Dr. Mariea Snell, assistant director of the Online Doctor of Nursing Practice program at Maryville University, we've compiled a comprehensive guide of fun and safe ways you can spend the holiday.
From carving pumpkins and hosting movie nights to throwing a virtual costume party and trick-or-treating safely, here are some expert-approved Covid halloween safety tips.
While the CDC does note that "Many traditional Halloween activities can be high risk for spreading viruses," there are a substantial number of low- to moderate-risk activities you can partake in that still involve costumes, candy, and friends.
"Wearing masks is still the number one thing you can do to protect yourself and other people."
Decorating your house with spooky, seasonal decorations is always a good way to get into the fall spirit. And the CDC says that carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household is a low-risk activity. You can even carve with friends, as long as you set up carving stations outside, remain socially distanced, and wear protective face masks.
"Wearing masks is still the number-one thing you can do to protect yourself and other people," Dr. Snell said. "It's something we should all be doing."
If you're looking to entertain kids, the CDC recommends setting up a Halloween-themed scavenger hunt around your house or coordinating an outdoor scavenger hunt with friends or neighbors. That's the route Snell and her family are taking this year.
"We have plans to celebrate with friends that have other children," Snell explained. "They are kind of roping off areas of their yard and each family is staying in their designated area. And then actually what we are doing is hiding candy — so, like Easter became Halloween."
You can safely carve some jack-o'-lanterns.Credit: Maurizio Cigognetti / Getty Images"One group or one family bubble at a time can go through and and try to find the candy that's been set out for them," Snell continued. "That way the kids still have an activity to do, but it's done in a way that's safe and separate from everyone else."
If you're in the mood to party with pals, the CDC suggests throwing a virtual costume bash to celebrate with friends digitally. You can also watch a scary movie with people you live with, or set up a virtual movie night using one of these handy apps, extensions, or websites.
One of the most beloved Halloween traditions among kids and families is trick-or-treating. But if you want to go door-to-door or hand out candy this year, there are a few key things keep in mind.
The CDC says taking part in traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating — where candy is handed from person to person — is a high-risk activity that should be avoided if possible. The same goes for trunk-or-treat meetups, where kids trick-or-treat by going from car to car in a parking lot. It isOK to participate in one-way, socially-distanced trick-or-treating, though. As long as you're careful.
"I think if people really want to go and have that traditional experience, just make sure to wear a mask, stay in your group or your bubble, and not come within six feet of other people," Snell said. "If you're ringing a doorbell to trick-or-treat, you should take six steps back after you've done that so you're not too close to someone in their home."
Look at that Halloween haul.Credit: Aleli Dimaculangan / Getty ImagesIt's worth researching specific Halloween and trick-or-treat safety guidelines in your own state, as they'll likely vary by location depending on coronavirus cases in the area. But trick-or-treaters aren't the only ones who should take extra precautions. People handing out candy should also consider safer methods.
"I know what some people are doing is just putting a big bucket of candy out with hand sanitizer. They're just planning on having it down there, six feet away from their front door for kids to take, and maybe they're sitting on their porch to kind of observe the trick-or-treaters," Snell added. "Anything anybody can do to maintain that distance and also wear masks is the best and only way to do this in a remotely safe way."
You can also prepare individual goodie bags filled with candy and leave them outside for children to grab. Or, if you're feeling crafty, you can make a candy chute, like this Cincinnati dad did, to avoid close-contact candy handoffs.
For those looking to take extra candy precautions, Snell suggests wiping down and sanitizing wrappers, or isolating candy for a few days before eating it to avoid worrying about the virus on surfaces.
If you (and/or your children) do plan to go out trick-or-treating or attend a socially-distanced gathering in costume, it's crucial to consider the type of mask you wear.
Many of the masks that come with Halloween costumes don't offer the same protection from the virus as cloth face masks do, so it's important not to use them as substitutes. Per the CDC website, "A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn't leave gaps around the face."
The type of Halloween face mask you should be wearing.Credit: joebash / redbubble"Unless you are wearing something that's creating that barrier that fits snugly around your face —around your mouth and nose — and also has those fabric layers that prevent the particles from going through, it's not going to be good enough," Snell said. "All those plastic masks are actually designed to be very breathable, because [manufacturers] don't want to suffocate anyone. So they're by no means intended or designed for [virus protection]."
The CDC also discourages people from wearing costume masks over protective masks, because the multiple layers could hinder breathing. Your safest bet is to ditch the costume mask altogether and opt for the protective face mask. You may even be able to find a protective face mask that fits the theme of your costume at a site like Etsy or Redbubble.
Having a costume parade outside and hosting or attending an outdoor costume party or movie night are deemed moderately safe by the CDC, as long as protective face masks are worn by all guests, social distancing is practiced, and other guidelines for hosting pandemic gatherings are followed. (If you choose a scary movie, make sure to spread chairs more than six feet apart, since more respiratory particles spread when a person screams than when they talk.)
You can also safely visit pumpkin patches or orchards as long as you pack the hand sanitizer, wear a mask, and maintain social distancing when in the presence of other visitors.
Go ahead, safely pick some apples at an orchard.Credit: Getty ImagesIn addition to traditional contact-heavy trick-or-treating, the CDC warns that attending crowded indoor parties, confined indoor haunted houses, or hayrides with people outside of your household are high-risk activities that should be actively avoided.
"Being indoors without a mask would be the worst thing you could do this Halloween."
When asked about the most dangerous way to celebrate Halloween, Snell echoed the CDC: "Parties in people's home."
She added, "I would say that's the number one thing. That would be the riskiest thing you could do. Being outside is better — even if it's a party — being outside, being able to keep space, and wearing a mask. Being indoors without a mask would be the worst thing you could do this Halloween."
And, as the CDC website notes, "If you may have COVID-19 or you may have been exposed to someone with COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not give out candy to trick-or-treaters."
TopicsCOVID-19
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