How to safely participate in Halloween festivities

While COVID-19 has rampaged its way through our country and community, many people are left wondering how trick-or-treating and other Halloween festivities will work. Although some people are in favor of “canceling” the holiday as a whole, some officials say they can’t put an end to the holiday this year. 

Since COVID-19 is still lingering around with steadily increasing cases, many people are on the fence about going trick-or-treating. While some people are set on going out and traditionally enjoying the holiday, others have retired their costumes for this holiday season due to the risks of catching COVID-19.

In a survey sent out to SJHS students, 107 responded with their opinions on Halloween and what they would be doing to celebrate. When the simple question “Will you be going trick-or-treating this year?” was asked, 43 percent of respondents said they aren’t participating in trick-or-treating. In opposition, 18.7 percent of students said they will be out on Halloween night trick-or-treating. However, the remaining 38.3 percent of responders are indifferent about if they’ll be out on Halloween.

With a majority of students either undecided on the subjects or flat out saying they won’t be trick-or-treating, most of their reasoning behind why they aren’t participating was the same. They are worried they may be exposed to COVID-19. However, it is important to mention that responders also said their age affected their stance on trick-or-treating.

While there is a lot of speculation regarding Halloween and trick-or-treating being canceled in Michigan, the holiday will proceed as usual–with precautions. Recently, the CDC (Center for Disease Control), has released articles advising people to not participate in typical Halloween festivities such as trick-or-treating, haunted houses, hayrides, and indoor parties. The CDC believes that participating in activities where people are in closed spaces and in close vicinity of other people, it could be dangerous. 

Despite the CDC advising against Halloween festivities, they did release holiday guidelines on how to to stay safe while still enjoying the holiday. They recommend that gatherings, and the number of people attending them, is limited. If you’re going to host a gathering, have it outside. They also advise people who are having gatherings to recommend their guests wear masks and use hand sanitizer. 

While the CDC does recommend not participating in high-risk activities, they do provide safer alternatives. Those activities include, but are not limited to, carving pumpkins, decorating your house, have a socially-distant costume party (outside, with masks), or going to pumpkin patches. For the full list of safe activities to participate in this holiday season, view the CDC’s website.