Sorry, Halloween is canceled... Well, not really, but this year will definitely not be the same, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have officially discouraged trick-or-treating to prevent more COVID-19 outbreaks. The CDC said that "many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses," but it also recommends other safer ways to celebrate.
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These are some of the high-risk activities:
\- Trick-or-treating, where treats are handed to children who go door to door
\- Crowded costume parties held indoors, or indoor haunted houses where people are screaming
\- Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community
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In contrast, here are the low-risk alternatives to celebrate Halloween:
\- Carving and decorating pumpkins with your family
\- Decorating your home
\- A virtual Halloween costume contest
\- A Halloween movie night with the members of your household
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Of course, you still need to follow the basic guidelines to prevent COVID-19 infection, like washing your hands frequently, keeping 6 feet away from anyone who is not part of your household, wearing a mask to keep your nose and mouth covered in public places, avoiding contact with anyone who is sick, and avoiding touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
And you might think that wearing a costume mask will be the only thing you need instead of a fabric mask, but the CDC recommends using a costume mask only if it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose, or using a Halloween-themed cloth mask just to be fashionable enough for the season.
So no, Halloween is not canceled, but we will need to create a new way to celebrate this amazing season. And, yes, stay safe.
