Pandemic Spooks Trick-or-Treaters
Some pumpkins that are carved, decorated and masked for Halloween. Photo taken on October 11, 2020 in Santa Ana, Calif.
October 12, 2020
Halloween is around the corner and on a Saturday this year, and as people get into the Halloween spirit they need to stay safe.
Due to COVID-19, the CDC recommended these guidelines, leaving people disheartened about having to limit contact.
The CDC recommends, “safer, alternative ways to participate in Halloween,” since “many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.”
Though Halloween is canceled, the CDC can’t control people from celebrating, so they suggest safer ways to participate on their website. For example their website proposes indoor activities such as carving pumpkins, having candy scavenger hunts, and a Halloween movie night.
Although some have kept their Halloween traditions despite the coronavirus, many people are still being cautious.
Cindy Ortega, a junior at Valley High School, plans to keep her traditional Halloween celebration.
“This Halloween I hope to hang out with my friends and after, go to work,” said Ortega.
Ortega’s concerns are “I feel like as long as we wear masks and sanitize often we will be okay.” She adds, “I really hope not many people go out though. After all, we are in the middle of a pandemic and it might make the infected number even higher.”
While, different crowds don’t feel comfortable going out. Others have chosen to stay in.
Godinez Fundamental High School senior, Kimberly Perez, chooses to stay home this year, binge horror movies while eating candy with family and friends.
“I will most likely go to my cousin’s house and buy candy so we can stay up watching scary movies,” said Perez.
When asked about her worries, she replied, “I am concerned some children will still go out trick-or-treating and they’ll catch COVID-19,” said Perez.
Registered nurse at Keck Medicine of USC in Irvine, Letti Barajas, wants people to take precautions while celebrating.
Barajas recommends, “To stay away from big crowds and stay six feet away from anybody and stay safe as possible.”
As for those planning to give out candy, the CDC recommends people wash their hands frequently and maintain a distance to avoid further spread. And for those who have had the coronavirus or had contact with someone with the disease, the CDC website insists they not participate and stay isolated.
The hope is everyone does their part, to social distance, have equipment to stay safe, and continue to practice safety measures to avoid any danger with the disease.
“Have a safe and happy Halloween!” has a whole new meaning this year.
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It’s really sad to not be able to go celebrate halloween as always.
I like those pumpkins and I like how you put masks on them!
I was wondering about how this was going to work, so thank you! Now I have a better idea of what my family can do.
I really hope people listen the recommendation the CDC has proposed and makes sure to wear a masks and maintain social distance if they do happen to go out on Halloween. Everyone please stay safe!
This was informative about what’s planned to happened during Halloween and very helpful by showing both sides in what people plan to do. This was really well done, keep up the good work!
I agree with this article you can still celebrate Halloween as long as you take huge precautions of washing your hands often, staying six feet away from people, and avoiding as much physical contact as possible. Even though it’s still best to stay inside so we can limit the cases of covid we can’t control the decisions of other people. Simile: this year’s Halloween was like an actual horror movie due to the full blue moon that night.
I agree with the article we should celebrate Halloween in a safer and more closed form public kind of way. I believe that we should stay home to reduce the risks of Covid-19 this Halloween we always have next hear to go out but for now we can stay inside and wait it out. This pandemic is as serious as taking the finals.
I agree with the statements in the article that talk about how much safety and social distancing are very important during this pandemic. I agree with these statements because it is true that we must try are best to keep Covid-19 numbers as low as we possibly can to maintain everybody’s safety but can still have fun and celebrate at home with family. Although I wouldn’t be surprised if the neighborhoods look like a ghost town.
This article was very insightful and I had a lot I agreed with. In my opinion having more precautions during halloween and this pandemic was the best choice. Santa Ana has one of the highest numbers for people who have caught and died from the virus. One could say we’re a hotspot like bears attracted to honey. Personally this year I did not go out trick or treating with my little ones because it was dangerous and a risk my family was not willing to take. Hopefully next year we can have a better form of being able to celebrate this holiday.