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After a long six months at home, my kids are ridiculously ready to celebrate Halloween this year. They've got their costumes picked out and their routes mapped. But, before I let them hit the pavement in search of sugary snacks, I have some questions about trick-or-treating this year. Thanks to COVID-19, I bet I'm not the only one wondering if trick-or-treating is even safe in 2020.
"Trick-or-treating can be made safer with some creative thinking," Dr. Stephanie Hemm with LifeBridge Health Pediatrics at Loch Raven tells Romper. "The typical scene of five or six unrelated people though, huddled within 3 to 4 feet of each other, all reaching into a bowl of candy or toys using their bare and unclean hands isn't the wisest choice."
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released guidelines for safely participating in holiday activities in 2020 during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door," is listed as high risk. As an alternative, the CDC website states that placing individual goodie bags at the end of the driveway or edge of the yard for trick-or-treaters to grab while staying socially distant only poses a moderate risk.
So, what does this all mean for trick-or-treating in 2020? "We certainly don't need to deprive the kids of all the fun," Hemm explains. "Taking a step back and figuring out the parts of the traditions that are important to your kids may make this unusual year a little easier."
If you still have questions about how this will all go down on October 31, read on.
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What is the biggest issue with trick-or-treating safely this year?
"The biggest issue is that coronavirus is still a very real issue, and there is a lot you cannot control when you are out and about, partaking in a festivity that brings your family into close contact with many people," Posina tells Romper.
When weighing the risks of engaging in traditional trick-or-treating this year, it's important to consider how COVID-19 risks play into your plans. This may look different depending on where you live and how your family generally engages with others when out on your usual candy prowl.
"People who typically have to trick-or-treat in apartment buildings should reconsider their plans, as well as those who go door to door in their neighborhood," Posina says. "There are fun alternatives to celebrate Halloween, the CDC actually published a helpful guide of alternatives that are safer for parents to practice this year."
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Is there anyone who should avoid trick-or-treating altogether this year?
"Anyone in the traditionally higher risk categories should very seriously consider not trick-or-treating this year because it can be a high-risk activity," Hemm tells Romper. "You really want to keep your family from getting COVID-19 if at all possible because it can cause severe complications."
The decision of whether or not to go trick-or-treating this year and if you can do so safely truly depends on your family's own health considerations.
"One thing that will definitely help give parents clarity is the current state of the virus in your city and state. Families that live in a multigenerational household could be risking bring the virus home to a more elderly or ill loved one, so that is also something to keep in mind," Posina explains. "While Halloween is an opportunity to bring back a sense of normalcy to our children after this tumultuous pandemic, it is important that adults find the safest alternatives that still allow children to dress up, play games, and share with the family."
Experts:
Dr. Sunitha D. Posina, MD, board-certified internist and locum hospitalist in New York
Dr. Stephanie Hemm, LifeBridge Health Pediatrics at Loch Raven
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