Halloween 2020: What Will Halloween Look Like During the Coronavirus Pandemic? by Kristen DiGiovanni

With COVID-19, many parents and children are wondering if Halloween will be canceled this year. Dr. Amy Fuller, director of the Master's Program for Nurse Practitioners at Endicott College, believes it will depend on the locality, but Halloween will mostly be celebrated in very small groups, if at all in most places. 

Dr. Fuller, a mother of three, said though Halloween is one of her favorite holidays and she has spent many years in her neighborhood trick-or-treating with her children this year will be very different. "I believe regular trick-or-treating is a potential for spreading COVID-19," said Dr. Fuller. "While children are at risk, so are parents and grandparents who bring the children out and about, mixing with other groups, holding (or tasting) candy. They could be at increased risk."

Kristen DiGiovanni, Associate Director of Field-based Experiences at Endicott College agrees. "For my children, I can imagine trick-or-treating with other selective families we have seen in the past few months. I am sure we all have those since quarantine," she said. "I also envision 'contactless' trick-or-treating. Most houses leave candy outside and families taking their time and respecting social distance while walking up to houses for candy. Just like shopping and travel, it will become the standard we all live by for at least this year."

Dr. Fuller added, candy-givers, those who open doors for groups of children, could also be at risk by mistakenly encountering "little hands." True, precautions can be taken. "We will advise family groups to social distance and for everyone in the process to use masks and hand sanitizer," said Dr. Fuller.

She believes much will depend on the preponderance of COVID-19 in specific areas, but extra caution should be employed this year. Parents and grandparents will probably fare best if they avoid all crowds and contact with those not in their immediate circles.

Will your kids trick-or-treat this year? Share your thoughts below. 

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