EDITORAL: Balance safety with fun this Halloween

Published 10:00 am Saturday, October 24, 2020

Halloween is next weekend, the first in a series of holidays in our “new normal” amid the COVID-19 global pandemic. We know the holiday season will look different this year. We can’t approach things the traditional way. We also know, however, that as we all try to grab hold of anything we can that looks and feels like tradition, we will celebrate. While trick or treating in the traditional sense is strongly discouraged this year, there are still fun ways to mark the occasion and stay safe. 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is discouraging traditional trick or treating amid the coronavirus pandemic. Door to door activities should be a no-go. Remember: The CDC says trick or treating is considered high risk because of close contact and proximity to others.

The CDC offers suggestions for several alternative celebration methods.

Moderate risk options

• Placing pre-wrapped goodie bags at the end of the driveway for trick-or-treaters to pick up at a distance. Hands should be thoroughly washed before preparing treat bags.

• Outdoor parties with small groups where six feet of distancing can be maintained.

• Outdoor Halloween movie night where six feet of distance can be maintained between all guests.

• Open-air activities like visiting a pumpkin patch or orchard where six feet of distance can be maintained.

Low risk options

• Carving pumpkins and decorating at home as a family.

• Holding a virtual costume party with friends via video chat or social media.

• Having a Halloween-themed movie night at home with family.

• Trick-or-treat scavenger hunt for Halloween candy around the house for young children.

Also, don’t forget about virtual activities. Milledgeville Main Street is hosting an online Halloween costume contest. Some local businesses are still hosting Truck-or-Treat events, outdoors, of course. And many families are getting creative by doing actives at home such as painting pumpkins and getting together with smaller groups for outdoor activities. Hold an at-home scavenger hunt or a Halloween movie night. Get creative.

This won’t be Halloween in the traditional sense. This will be the first of several holidays that won’t be the same this year. We must accept that. That doesn’t mean, however, that we can’t enjoy each other and our families. However you choose to observe Halloween this year, please be safe, practice social distancing, we facemasks (no Halloween masks this year, please), wash your hands frequently and sanitize. 

Remember, these best practices not only keep us safe but they decrease the risk of spread to others as well.