Halloween Safety in the Time of COVID-19
Halloween’s origins harken back to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, which was celebrated by the Celts more than two thousand years ago. These ancient people celebrated their new year on November 1, a day that signified the end of harvest and the beginning of cold, dark winter. On October 31, the night before the new year, Celts came to believe that the boundary between the worlds of the living and the dead became porous, and the ghosts of the dead returned to earth. Over the centuries, Samhain evolved into our own Halloween, a day of costumes, treats, jack-o-lanterns, mischief, and fun. In ordinary times, the scary aspects of Halloween are provided by costumes, decorations, and spooky stories. But this year, the COVID-19 pandemic has added some real-life horror to the idea of celebrating one of our favourite holidays. Can we experience Halloween safely during a pandemic? What do we need to do to make the holiday fun for children, while ensuring that they and their families will not be exposed to the virus?
Unfortunately, the Centers for Disease Control is currently urging people to forego traditional trick-or-treating, where treats are handed to children who go door-to-door. Other types of activities have also been classified as “high-risk” for spreading the virus, including indoor costume parties, “haunted house” type activities, hayrides with people outside your household, and travelling to other communities for fall festivals. This guarantees that 2020 will be an unusual Halloween. But does it necessarily need to be disappointing for children? The CDC
Activities for Celebrating Halloween
Of course, some traditional Halloween activities are low-risk. These include:
The CDC also has some ideas for non-traditional celebrations to mark Halloween. These include:
- Creating a spooky scavenger hunt, where children are supplied with a list of Halloween-themed items to look for as they walk outdoors in the neighbourhood, staying physically distanced from other people and wearing face masks.
- Hiding Halloween treats around your house and/or yard and holding an Easter-egg-hunt style Halloween Hunt.
Following COVID-19 Protocols
This Halloween, and every other day, practice behaviours that reduce the risk of contracting and spreading the COVID-19 virus. These include:
- Limit non-essential trips outside your home.
- When you are outside your home, stay at least six feet away from others.
- When you are in an indoor space such as a grocery store or on public transit, wear a face covering or disposable mask to protect others. It should cover both mouth and nose, and should fit well. If you remove your mask, do not let it dangle below your chin. Place your mask in a ziplock bag or other clean pouch when not in use. If you are ready to discard your mask, please remove the earloops to protect wildlife and dispose of the materials safely.
- Wash your hands frequently with soap and water, especially after touching surfaces that may be contaminated. If soap and water are unavailable, use 70%-90% alcohol-based hand sanitizer, but be sure to wash thoroughly once you are able to. Don’t touch your face with unwashed hands.
- Cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze.
- Avoid people who are ill.
- Stay home if you feel sick.
- Observe all of the regulations in place for your area, which could include limits on both indoor and outdoor gatherings, and recommendations regarding social circles.
- Do not abuse alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgement and increase risky behaviors.
- Do not travel unnecessarily.
- Download the COVID Alert app to help track contacts.
2020 has been a difficult year, but Halloween can still provide some fun for us, if we celebrate safely.