By Jenny Tran
We’ve all been there—literally. You think you’re going to have a normal, un-virus-like year when all of a sudden, COVID-19 bursts out at us like a fabricated horror movie jumpscare. And suddenly, everyone is stuck under the hefty weight of the pandemic and the monotonous routines of quarantine.
Last Halloween, there was still a noticeable pressure of practicing safety precautions due to the immense risk of catching COVID-19. In turn, trick-or-treating had a drastic decrease in the number of participants.
But, now that cases have greatly dropped and more people are getting vaccinated by the day, things are starting to look up this upcoming Halloween.
However, that doesn’t mean the pandemic can still be disregarded altogether. There have been obvious surges of COVID-19 cases during major holidays in the past. And, because the same risks still apply this upcoming holiday, people planning to celebrate it should still heed the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines.
So, if you’re planning on trick-or-treating this year, you should plan on practicing cautionary measures while having fun. Here are some tips to stay safe and still snatch that stash of candy you’ve been looking forward to!
Travel in small packs
Swarming the streets with every single one of your friends, especially during a pandemic, probably isn’t the best idea. Not only can it disrupt those living in these neighborhoods, but it simply isn’t safe to crowd up against other people. Forming small packs of probably no more than five is best to smoothly and safely navigate through the night.
Respect others
It is best to omit the “trick” part from trick-or-treat and “treat” others with respect when you are out. Even if it contradicts the monstrous costume you might be wearing, you shouldn’t be mean and intrusive toward people. Instead, you should keep a safe distance from other trick-or-treaters and remember to be respectful to candy-givers when possible.
Wear a mask and wash your hands
You’re probably getting flashbacks to the numerous warnings from 2020, but the same safety measures still apply this Halloween. To minimize your risk, you should wear a mask or possibly even incorporate a mask into your costume. And, with approximately a lot of other hands reaching into the same candy bowl as you during the night, washing your hands is essential to prevent the spread of germs. Bringing hand sanitizer while you trick-or-treat can be handy too.
Don’t accept bad candy
By “bad candy,” I don’t mean Tootsie rolls or licorice (not that I have anything against people who like Tootsie rolls or licorice). You should always throw out unsealed/open candy or simply anything that looks too questionable. While COVID-19 can’t be transmitted through food, you should still inspect your candy in the case of other possible risks. It’s definitely possible that candy can inflict more pain than a mere toothache.
If you’re passing out candy…
Maybe you have decided to opt out of heading outside this year or are completely content with staying home and giving candy to trick-or-treaters. Even so, you should still try to stay safe throughout the night. Don’t pass out candy if your household has been in contact or diagnosed with COVID-19 or any other sickness.
If possible, make sure to tidy up your lot for incoming trick-or-treaters; try to leave a considerable amount of space so no one trips or gets crowded against others. Ensure that the candy you’re passing out is sealed properly, and if you want to stay super safe, you can always just leave out a bowl of candy instead.
COVID-19 may be the scariest monster this year, constantly lurking in the shadows and latching onto you as you remain completely unaware. But, trick-or-treating can still remain an enjoyable activity. And, ensuring that you’re staying free from the virus and safe throughout it all can make it even more so.
