{"id":7571,"date":"2020-10-19T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-19T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prd-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/?p=7571"},"modified":"2024-03-15T17:32:23","modified_gmt":"2024-03-15T17:32:23","slug":"halloween-2020-how-to-celebrate","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/updates-www.mccdn.io\/vitals\/halloween-2020-how-to-celebrate\/","title":{"rendered":"Halloween 2020: How to celebrate safely in the age of COVID-19","gt_translate_keys":[{"key":"rendered","format":"text"}]},"content":{"rendered":"

Halloween is a favorite holiday for many kids \u2014 and adults. But with the continued presence of COVID-19 in our region, what will Halloween look like this year?<\/p>\n

Traditional celebrations = higher risk<\/h2>\n

Many traditional Halloween activities, such as costume parties and trick or treating, put kids and family members at a higher risk of exposure to COVID-19.<\/p>\n

\u201cIn general, as with any activity, the risk for getting infected is related to time, space, number and distance,\u201d said Mary Fairchok, MD<\/a>, pediatric infectious disease specialist with Mary Bridge Children\u2019s Hospital & Health Network. \u201cMore than 15 minutes in close contact; indoors in a small space that is not well ventilated; more than five people; less than six feet apart. These are all factors that increase risks. I would not recommend a Halloween party unless it is only outdoors, less than 5 guests outside of immediate family members, and everyone is masked and distanced more than six feet apart \u2014 which is difficult to do with small children.\u201d<\/p>\n

Traditional, in-person trick or treating is also risky, as it has the potential to bunch larger groups of kids and adults together on sidewalks and front entryways, making physical distancing impossible. Multiple interactions between both trick or treaters and households handing out candy also increases risk of exposure to COVID-19.<\/p>\n

Lower risk doesn\u2019t have to mean less fun<\/h2>\n

Dr. Fairchok and Michael Myint, MD \u2014 as well as numerous health experts and public health agencies \u2014 are recommending against many standard Halloween activities such as trick-or-treating and indoor parties this year, to help reduce the spread of COVID-19.<\/p>\n

But that doesn\u2019t mean cancelling Halloween all together, particularly if you have children. Coming up with ways to celebrate the holiday may be even more important in a year that has seen so many event cancellations, routine changes and a general lack of social activities.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere are many fun, substitute Halloween activities,\u201d said Dr. Fairchok, \u201cAnd this may be a good year to try some new traditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Some ideas for lower risk activities include:<\/p>\n