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Wear a mask

Make your cloth mask part of your costume.

A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask.

Do NOT wear a costume mask over a cloth mask. It can make breathing more difficult.

Masks should NOT be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/09/28/halloween-pandemic/
As of Sept. 17, more than 587,000 children had tested positive for covid-19,

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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

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Trick or Treating does have a risk of getting Covid, but, it could be stopped by wearing a mask, staying 6ft apart, and being cautious.

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NorthEast Neighborhood Association of Elgin's haunted house is always a huge draw for the hundreds of children who descend on Douglas Avenue every Halloween to trick-or-treat.

But it, like so many other traditional events and activities this year, has fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"We have no plans to host a haunted house this year. We're just erring on the side of caution," association President Eric Larson said. "We don't have the ability to ensure a socially distanced, safe haunted house."

Larson and his wife usually start buying bags and bags of candy at this time of year, prepping for what's always a big event. They'll get as many as 400 trick-or-treaters over just a few hours.

"We love it like everyone else," Larson said. But "we decided last night that we're not going to do it. We're going to make sure the porch light is out. ... We'll put out a sign to make sure people know we aren't Grinches that says, 'Happy Halloween. Stay safe.'"

To trick-or-treat or not trick-or-treat, that is the question for both families and homeowners who pass out candy every year. With the country still in the grips of contagious pandemic, is safe for the kids or for those answering the door?

While some cities have canceled trick-or-treating, most Fox Valley communities are not. Elgin is "not encouraging" it but set hours of 4 to 8 p.m. for anyone who ends up doing so. If you don't want your bell rung, leave the porch light off, a city news release says.

Larson thought about throwing candy in order to socially distance from the kids, but said he wasn't sure how to do it safely without creating more problems. He hasn't talked to his neighbors about what they're doing, but he's sure it will be a topic of discussion as Halloween gets closer.

In East Dundee, West Dundee and Carpentersville, trick-or-treat hours from 3 to 7 p.m. Sleepy Hollow's annual Halloween in the Hollow is canceled but its website doesn't have any information on trick-or-treat hours.

Carpentersville has been monitoring rules and suggestions for a safe Halloween and decided to allow it, its website says. Officials are encouraging families to take proper precautions and the village has printer-ready fliers for residents to display at their homes if they want children knocking on their door for treats, the site said.

The South Elgin Village Board issues a proclamation every year to establish trick-or-treat hours, Deputy Administrator Meg Golden said.

This year's proclamation reads, "Halloween is a cherished tradition, however, many traditional activities may pose a risk for spreading viruses," and references guidance offered by the Illinois Department of Public Health.

"Residents should evaluate risks, practice safety measures and decide whether they will participate in the trick-or-treating tradition," Village President Steve Ward said, reading the proclamation at a board meeting. "If you have had or have been exposed to COVID-19, you should not participate in in-person festivities and should not hand out candy to trick-or-treaters."

As a general rule, all the village ever does in regards to the holiday is establish trick-or-treating hours, Golden said. This year, "we felt it was best to have a proclamation and point people to the guidelines," she said. "I think the establishment of hours has a lot to do with creating a safe environment, and people aren't trick-or-treating all night long."

The Centers for Disease and Prevention calls trick-or-treating a "higher risk option for Halloween" and recommends alternative celebrations. The Illinois Department of Public Health guidelines to keep Halloween safe include:

Anyone participating in trick-or-treating, including those passing out candy, should maintain six feet of social distance and wear proper face coverings.

Consider leaving individually wrapped candy (spaced apart) on a table in driveways or in front of walkways, sidewalks or any outdoor space where six feet of distance can be maintained.

A Halloween costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask. Ensure that breathing is not impaired if a cloth mask is worn under a costume mask. If it does, discard the costume mask.

Trick-or-treat in groups with household members only.

Candy collected during trick-or-treating should not be eaten until after washing your hands.

Gloria Casas is a freelance reporter for The Elgin-Courier.

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Trick-or-treating will go on regardless of rules set, so Elgin-area municipalities can only urge caution

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NorthEast Neighborhood Association of Elgin's haunted house is always a huge draw for the hundreds of children who descend on Douglas Avenue every Halloween to trick-or-treat. But it, like so many other traditional events and activities this year, has fall victim to the COVID-19 pandemic.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGyY9aAPVMU&ab_channel=ThompsonWoodworks
this shows that people could trick or treat without any contact

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/lifestyle/2020/09/28/halloween-pandemic/
A Lot of people are saying they won't let their kids going treat or treating in 2020 but, it is safer to do outdoor actives than indoor.

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It should be allowed because you can always use social distancing  and face mask but at the same time you are taking that risk on your own

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It's nearing that time of year again when things get spooky, carved pumpkins and cobwebs decorate front doors and people dress up in their best Halloween costumes.

But with the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions still in place across Europe and worldwide to stop its spread, many aspects of the October 31 festivities have been put into question.

While this doesn't mean that Halloween is canceled (no need to panic), it does mean that some of the activities involved will look very different - if not avoided all together.

One of them is the tradition of trick-or-treating.
What is trick-or-treating?
The traditional Halloween custom, usually for children, takes place in the evening of October 31 and involves youngsters dressed up in spooky costumes, going door to door and asking "trick or treat?" of anyone who dares answer.

They are then given a 'treat' by the homeowner, usually in the form of candy or chocolates. If they're not given a treat, the children play a 'trick' or harmless prank on the house instead.

The tradition of going house to house collecting food during Halloween, called 'guising' in Scotland and Ireland, goes back to the 16th century at least, as does the tradition of people wearing costumes during the festivities.

It was only until the 1920s that the custom became a tradition in North America, before the term 'trick or treat' became popularized and spread around the U.S. and Europe.
What are the rules for it during COVID-19?
While some European countries grapple with a resurgence of the virus and an increase in cases, the tradition is at risk from social mixing restrictions, lockdowns and curfews.

The Scottish government has urged families and children to avoid guising this Halloween in order to minimize the risk of spreading COVID-19.

"I know guising is a big part of Halloween and children will be sad to miss out, but as door-to-door guising brings an additional and avoidable risk of spreading the virus, our clear advice for families is to avoid it," said deputy first minister John Swinney in a statement.

"Under the current restrictions it is not possible to meet up indoors or in large groups outdoors, so the safest thing to do this year is to stay at home," he added.

Meanwhile, in other parts of the UK, the British government has said trick-or-treating can take place in some areas of England, depending on local COVID-19 measures in place under the government's three-tier system.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson's official spokesman said about the prospect of trick-or-treating being banned this year, that "the rules are those which apply to household mixing in general."

This means that people in areas of the country currently in the top 'very high' alert level, or 'Tier 3,' may not be able to go trick-or-treating, as the rules mean they cannot mix with other households both indoors or outdoors.

"The rules are there for all circumstances and people will have to use their common sense in ensuring they are following the rules," Johnson's spokesman added.

In the north-west of England, Lancashire Police have told people to find alternative celebrations to traditional trick-or-treating in order to minimize the risk of the virus spreading.

As Lancashire is in the 'very high' alert level, police said "this means traditional trick-or-treating where you go and knock on someone else's door isn't allowed as ​it means people from different households would be socialising and mixing."

Elsewhere in Europe, as cases continue to rise and countries implement local lockdowns, new restrictions also mean that traditional trick-or-treating may not be possible.

In Belgium's capital, Brussels, tougher measures were announced, including an extended curfew and cultural and sport venue closures.

The premier of the Brussels region, Rudi Vervoort, told a press conference that "the situation is very serious, it cannot remain this way," urging them to support new measures.

"And, of course, there will be no door-to-door, no processions at Halloween - all of that, clearly, is also forbidden," Vervoort added.
How to trick-or-treat safely
In areas where there has been no outright ban of the tradition, families and children are still urged to take precautions and act sensibly if they do choose to go trick-or-treating.

🎃 Limit the number of people in the group of trick-or-treaters in order to maintain social distancing, keeping in mind any local restrictions on mixing with non-household members.

🎃 Wear a face mask or covering. These can be incorporated into the costume for added effect, but follow health expert guidance on how to ensure your face covering is effective.

🎃 Maintain a safe distance when knocking on front doors.

🎃 Wash hands regularly if possible, or use hand sanitizer before and after touching doorbells or any other surfaces. Try to limit the surfaces you touch with your hands when you can.

🎃 Save your sweets until you get home so that you can wash your hands thoroughly before opening and eating them.

🎃 Avoid houses with elderly or vulnerable people if you are made aware of them, or pre-arrange a list of certain households that will not pose a risk to yourself or others.

🎃 And if you're on the other side of the door, make sure treats are individually wrapped to avoid contamination, or avoid putting them in a bowl for children to dip their hands in, which may increase any risk of transmission.

🎃 Safer yet, consider pre-packing individual bags of treats and leaving them at the front door for people to help themselves, as this significantly reduces contact and ensures social distancing.

So, however you choose to keep this Halloween tradition alive, ensure local guidelines are followed and take all the necessary precautions to ensure the safety and health of yourself and others.

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Should, or rather can, you go trick-or-treating this year?

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It's nearing that time of year again when things get spooky, carved pumpkins and cobwebs decorate front doors and people dress up in their best Halloween costumes. But with the coronavirus pandemic and the restrictions still in place across Europe and worldwide to stop its spread, many aspects of the October 31 festivities have been put into question.

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https://www.nytimes.com/article/halloween-cdc-guidelines-coronavirus.html
They say that people can still go trick-or-treating as long they are social distancing and they let there candy sit so all the diseases can die.

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https://www.novanthealth.org/healthy-headlines/your-guide-to-halloween-trick-or-treating-and-covid-19
This link is a guide line and this shows how kids should trick-or-treating. Kids should wear masks and gloves while going trick-or-treating, like a designed masks.

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We should not be able to trick or treat this year because it can increase the risk of you getting COVID- 19 or influenza. You would have to come within 6 feet of someone, this could lead to a bigger spread of COVID 19

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https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/30/nyregion/nyc-halloween-canceled.html
You will be outside most of the time and so you wont transfer the virus much.

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We should not be allowed to do Trick or Treating this year. by doing it there is a high risk of getting Covid-19 and spreading it.. https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/halloween.html

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They should go,but with a few precautions. Your costume needs to include a mask.You would also need to wash your hands regularly and make sure you social distance while trick or treating.

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trick or treating should not be allowed because some kids dont care about the 6 feet rule and so they wont be 6 feet away from each other  plus a lot of kids have caught corona

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Make trick-or-treating safer

Avoid direct contact with trick-or-treaters.

Give out treats outdoors, if possible.

Set up a station with individually bagged treats for kids to take.

Wash hands before handling treats.

Wear a mask.

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There is a higher risk of getting sick if you go from door to door to trick or treat. Instead of trick or treating, people can carve pumpkins, have virtual costume contests.

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You can still safely celebrate the ghoulish season, but trick-or-treating and other celebrations may have to be modified to protect against coronavirus infection.

It's important that children be allowed to enjoy spooky festivities this year because "holidays like Halloween mean a lot to kids," one expert said. Credit... Frederic J. Brown/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images

It had already been a hard year for kids.

They lost time with friends and teachers at school, their summer vacations and their everyday routines to the coronavirus. With the arrival of fall, and cases rising fast among children, another scary specter raised its ugly head: Would they also have to give up Halloween?

The answer is a resounding "no," according to experts, but parents and children should know that this year will look different than previous ones.

You do have to take precautions.

First, you should be aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned in guidelines updated last month that traditional trick-or-treating would be higher risk than other ways of celebrating the holiday.

The guidelines were somewhat unexpected, given that epidemiologists and other scientists generally consider it safe to gather outdoors with face coverings.

Dr. David Hirschwerk, an infectious diseases attending physician at Northwell Health system, said there are themes in the C.D.C.'s guidelines that have been constant throughout the pandemic, including avoiding large crowds (particularly if they're from outside your area), avoiding indoor activities as much as possible, and using face coverings.

"We still, unfortunately, are far from the end of this pandemic, and I think that the C.D.C. reminders, really more than anything, should have us all pause to think about what our plans are, whether it's for Halloween or for Thanksgiving," he said.

Over the years, Halloween has grown from a night of spooky fun for children on Oct. 31 into a billion-dollar industry with weeks of celebrations, parties and parades enjoyed by people of all ages. Canceling it altogether might cause major economic disruption in a year that has had more than enough trauma from Covid-19.

For weeks, cities, towns, retailers and confectioners across the country have braced for more subdued celebrations - if they happen at all.

Image

Wonder Woman, also known as Timya Garett, 7, attended trick-or-treat make-up day in Pittsfield, Mass., last year in early November. Credit... Stephanie Zollshan/Berkshire Eagle, via Associated Press

For the spookiest day of the year, the C.D.C. listed activities in three categories: higher risk, moderate risk and lower risk. Pumpkin carving with members of the same household and virtual costume contests were classified as lower risk, while trick-or-treating door to door and attending a crowded indoor haunted house were listed as higher risk.

On the list of moderate risks was "trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goody bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance."

Dr. Tista Ghosh, an epidemiologist and senior medical director at Grand Rounds, a digital health care company in San Francisco, said she was not surprised to see the C.D.C. take what she called a "middle of the road" approach for the guidelines, which appear to balance science with personal freedom.

Dr. Ghosh, the former chief medical officer for the state of Colorado, said the concern with trick-or-treating stemmed from its inherent face-to-face interaction. The risk is highest for adults who are around children and may have underlying medical conditions. But, she said, "there are ways to participate in Halloween that could minimize risks."

Dr. Hirschwerk, the Northwell infectious diseases attending, called the guideline's emphasis on avoiding indoor gatherings, large groups, and the use of face coverings (not your costume's mask) helpful because "this is an infection that really is about the air that we breathe and about making sure that we're separated from each other and that we're not spending too much time together indoors."

Candy sellers are trying to put the best face on the reduced celebrations. "Beyond doubt, this Halloween will be different than years past," said Christopher Gindlesperger, a spokesman for the National Confectioners Association, a trade group for candy makers.

Mr. Gindlesperger said he and his family treat it more like a season than a one-night event. This year, they'll be safely celebrating by "decorating the house, working on our coordinated family costumes, streaming 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,'" carving pumpkins" and hanging out with neighbors at a safe social distance.

According to Dr. Ghosh, some strategies for safer trick-or-treating include: leaving baskets of candy outside your home; having kids wear gloves and carry hand sanitizer; and keeping parties and other gatherings outdoors and socially distanced. You could set out pool noodles or other markers so children have visual markers for the prescribed six feet of distance, she suggested.

And while you don't need to sanitize each and every candy wrapper, you should make sure your hands are clean before eating any sweets, Dr. Ghosh said.

What if you don't have a porch, patio or front yard where you can leave treats?

Dr. Ghosh recommended using a balcony if you have one, or consider investing in a heat lamp or heat structure "that can help use outdoor space more" if you have visitors.

At the very least, she stressed the importance of ventilation - opening windows and doors - if you do have people visit inside your home.

Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said a small group - 10 or fewer people - could have a costume show or other outdoor gathering with masks and social distancing of at least six feet. "The key is to make it a brief get-together, which further reduces risk," he said. "It's the time spent together that increases risk of transmission."

Officials looking to prevent a public health disaster are asking that people beware of indoor activities and large groups of people as fall holidays, including Halloween, get underway.

Crowded indoor parties and haunted houses "where people may be crowded together and screaming," are on the higher-risk end of the spectrum right alongside traditional trick-or-treating, according to the C.D.C.

The agency also lists traveling to rural fall festivals (think harvest festivals) if you're coming from an area with high Covid-19 rates as "higher risk."

Dr. Glatter agreed with that advice and took it a step further: He recommended against attending Halloween parties outside your community.

"Even though a mask and distancing mitigate risk, such events can generate superspreaders, placing even more people and families with older persons at risk," he said.

Both the C.D.C. and Dr. Glatter consider drinking alcohol a higher-risk activity as it can cloud your judgment and "increase risky behaviors."

Several traditional Halloween parades, which invite crowds of spectators to huddle on sidewalks, have already been canceled or moved online, just as cities canceled parades for Saint Patrick's Day in March and for Pride in June.

This year would have been the 47th annual Village Halloween Parade in New York City, but organizers scrapped the famed event, saying it was "because we love you all too much to endanger you and we care about your health and well-being."

Parades were also canceled in many other places, including several towns and cities in Pennsylvania, where the tradition is robust. Bethlehem will be hosting its first virtual parade.

Portsmouth, N.H., called off its parade after having considered "all options, including a reverse parade, alternate locations, a rolling parade, route changes" and concluding "there is simply no way to keep both the spirit of the parade and participants/spectators safe during the Covid-19 pandemic."

It's important to remember that these spooky festivities mean a lot to kids, Dr. Ghosh said.

"I think completely taking away Halloween could be detrimental to some of the mental health issues that kids are facing right now," Dr. Ghosh said. She added that she always cautions people to "balance the risk of whatever activity they're doing with mental health risks as well, and look for ways to minimize risk rather than reduce risk to zero because that's just not possible."

In September, the Halloween and Costume Association announced new tools to help people make decisions for the holiday, including a color-coded risk-level map that was provided by the Harvard Global Health Institute.

A parent with two children herself, Dr. Ghosh said her family was planning to wear gloves and costumes (which are crucial to the holiday experience), and were going to homes "that I know the owners of, where they will be placing candy outside."

A Zoom Halloween party may also be in the works, and for her oldest, a 13-year-old, a possible backyard movie night - with everyone bringing their own food and chairs for socially distant seating.

"Holidays help us maintain our sense of rituals and 'normalcy' during a not-so normal time," Dr. Glatter said. "Whatever we can do to keep holiday celebrations and traditions at least partially intact - while remaining safe - serves as a guidepost or compass during these turbulent times."

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Can Halloween Be Saved? Yes, Experts Say. Here's How.

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You can still safely celebrate the ghoulish season, but trick-or-treating and other celebrations may have to be modified to protect against coronavirus infection. It had already been a hard year for kids. They lost time with friends and teachers at school, their summer vacations and their everyday routines to the coronavirus.

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Trick or Treating should be allowed this year like usual. there is still a risk of getting Covid-19 and spreading it but there is many way to make it safe. we can wear mask and stay 6 feet away from different people.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays/halloween.html

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Trick or Treating should be banned because it has a great chance of spreading Covid. Also, people are going to host huge parties and that can also spread Covid.

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Weather: Rainy and bone-chilling wind in the morning, with the temperature dipping into the upper 30s. Clear and cold on Saturday, then cloudy and rising to near 60 on Sunday.

Alternate-side parking: In effect tomorrow. Suspended on Sunday (All Saints Day).

Image

Shoppers at Spirit Halloween in Astoria, Queens. Credit... Andrew Seng for The New York Times

Late-night frights and spooky traditions will look far different tomorrow than New Yorkers have ever known them.

The pandemic means Halloween won't involve large parades and packed bars, or perhaps even throngs of trick-or-treaters descending on doorsteps. Many celebrations will be subdued or altered to allow for safety precautions.
[Read more about how revelers across the city plan to celebrate.]
Here's what to expect:

Mayor Bill de Blasio said last week that children will still be able to take part in frantic quests for candy bars and chocolates. He stressed, however, that trick-or-treating should only be done outdoors - as opposed to in the hallways of apartment buildings.

In New Jersey, officials passed on banning trick-or-treating statewide, though some towns have done so themselves.

Mr. de Blasio has said that unsafe gatherings - where people are not wearing face masks or social distancing - will be broken up if officials become aware of them. Precautions are particularly important, he said, in light of the city's positive virus test rate hitting 1.92 percent on Thursday, the highest seven-day average in months.

Still, a number of parties and celebrations for young adults at "secret locations" across the city have been advertised for the weekend.

In New York State, haunted houses are observing wide-ranging safety protocols, like temperature checks and reduced capacity.

Take Blood Manor, the 10,000-square-foot attraction in Manhattan: Entrance is limited to 100 guests per hour. In a normal year, as many as 2,500 guests might come through its doors on a busy Saturday.

But the potential for crowding and poor sanitation in indoor spaces has some health experts concerned. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has broadly categorized attending indoor haunted houses as a "higher risk" activity.

Costume shops in Manhattan and Queens were filled with energized crowds in the days leading up to the holiday. Some families were planning to celebrate at home, dressing up and taking part in Halloween-themed activities like carving pumpkins. Others said they would attend outdoor horror movie nights.

For trick-or-treating, several households have crafted makeshift chutes to distribute candy. Many are assembling individual to-go bags of sweets to avoid contact with strangers.

What we're watching: Joseph Goldstein, who covers health care in New York for The Times, discusses the backlash in Orthodox Jewish communities over virus rules on "The New York Times Close Up With Sam Roberts." The show airs on Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 1:30 p.m. and Sunday at 12:30 p.m. [ CUNY TV]
The Times's Melissa Guerrero writes:
Although many performance spaces and community centers are closed, people are finding creative ways to connect through virtual events and programs. Here are suggestions for maintaining a New York social life this weekend while keeping a safe distance from other people.

On Friday at 1 p.m., start the Halloween weekend by participating in an open reading hour. Attendees will choose their favorite Edgar Allan Poe poem and read it online over video or the phone.

Register for the free happening on the New York Public Library's event page.

Be in costume on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. for a family-friendly celebration. Participants will be treated to different performances - from musicians, puppeteers and magicians - and a children's food festival with a cooking class.

Reach the livestream link on the event page.

On Sunday at 11 a.m., as part of the Celebrate Mexico Now arts festival, watch "68 Voices, 68 Hearts," an animated series of short films about Indigenous stories narrated in their native languages. Afterward, listen to a Q. and A. with the filmmaker, Gabriela Badillo.

R.S.V.P. for the free livestream on the event page.
It's Friday - trick or treat.

Dear Diary:

Growing up in the Rockaways, my summers were pretty idyllic. The beach, which was never crowded, provided hours of ocean swimming, boogie boarding and long walks.

Many of the young people who love Rockaway Beach now think they brought surfing culture out here, but there was a rich and rollicking surf scene in the area when I was growing up in the 1960s and '70s.

Most of the guys surfed - and through most of the year, too. In those days, there was little opportunity for girls to surf. It simply wasn't done and, as a female, there was no way to learn.

I have long been mesmerized by the sport. I often stop when I am out for a "power walk" along the shore to admire the surfers' elegance and prowess (especially in the off-season). It really is a treat.

With female surfers now ubiquitous, I had been thinking wistfully for some time about learning. But there were the usual excuses: I'm too old. I can't risk injury. I'll look stupid.

So when I finally took my first surfing lesson two summers ago, I was filled with trepidation, and pride. Facing down fear and doing what one has yearned to do feels pretty momentous.

But it was nothing compared to the feeling of actually surfing, of getting up on the board and being at one with the Atlantic in three (and a half) of my eight tries.

I'll take it.
- Jane Garfield Frank New York Today is published weekdays around 6 a.m. We're experimenting with the format of New York Today. What would you like to see more (or less) of? Post a comment or email us: nytoday@nytimes.com. Sign up here to get it by email. You can also find it at nytoday.com.

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Is Halloween Canceled in N.Y.C.? Not Officially, but ...

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Weather: Bone-chilling rain and wind in the morning, with the temperature dipping into the upper 30s. Clear and cold on Saturday, then cloudy and rising to near 60 on Sunday. Alternate-side parking: In effect tomorrow. Suspended on Sunday (All Saints Day). Late-night frights and spooky traditions will look far different tomorrow than New Yorkers have ever known them.

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it should be allowed but people should wear a mask and stay six feet

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Trick or treating should not be allowed because it cause a higher risk of getting coronavirus.
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween

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https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2020/10/14/halloween-trick-or-treat-coronavirus-poll-data
As COVID-19 cases continue to rise in several states, there are concerns about whether it will be safe for people to go trick-or-treating this year.

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According to CTGN "Under the current restrictions it is not possible to meet up indoors or in large groups outdoors, so the safest thing to do this year is to stay at home,"

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They shouldn't let people trick or treat because you do not know if the person opening the door will wear a mask,be sick or has touched the candy.

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los angeles backtracks on coronavirus trick-or-treat ban this halloween  - cnn

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Los Angeles backtracks on coronavirus trick-or-treat ban this Halloween

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Trick-or-treating won't be banned in Los Angeles County anymore this Halloween but it's still "not recommended," health officials said.

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Higher levels of COVID-19 cases and community spread in the gathering location, as well as where attendees are coming from, increase the risk of infection and spread among attendees. Family and friends should consider the number and rate of COVID-19 cases in their community and in the community where they plan to celebrate when considering whether to host or attend a holiday celebration.https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html

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 Higher levels of COVID-19 cases and community spread in the gathering location, as well as where attendees are coming from, increase the risk of infection and spread among attendees. Family and friends should consider the number and rate of COVID-19 cases in their community and in the community where they plan to celebrate when considering whether to host or attend a holiday celebration.

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you should trick or treat safley and make sure you you socil distence

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i think it should not be allowed becuase kids would not be wereing their mask and are 6 feet and people are giving you candy that came from their

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If people would still like to participate in trick or treating they would just need to take precautions. Like, wear a mask, have gloves, bring hand sanitizer, have outdoor gatherings 6 feet away from each other.

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You can still safely celebrate the ghoulish season, but trick-or-treating and other celebrations may have to be modified to protect against coronavirus infection.

It's important that children be allowed to enjoy spooky festivities this year because "holidays like Halloween mean a lot to kids," one expert said. Credit... Frederic J. Brown/Agence France-Presse - Getty Images

It had already been a hard year for kids.

They lost time with friends and teachers at school, their summer vacations and their everyday routines to the coronavirus. With the arrival of fall, and cases rising fast among children, another scary specter raised its ugly head: Would they also have to give up Halloween?

The answer is a resounding "no," according to experts, but parents and children should know that this year will look different than previous ones.

You do have to take precautions.

First, you should be aware that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned in guidelines updated last month that traditional trick-or-treating would be higher risk than other ways of celebrating the holiday.

The guidelines were somewhat unexpected, given that epidemiologists and other scientists generally consider it safe to gather outdoors with face coverings.

Dr. David Hirschwerk, an infectious diseases attending physician at Northwell Health system, said there are themes in the C.D.C.'s guidelines that have been constant throughout the pandemic, including avoiding large crowds (particularly if they're from outside your area), avoiding indoor activities as much as possible, and using face coverings.

"We still, unfortunately, are far from the end of this pandemic, and I think that the C.D.C. reminders, really more than anything, should have us all pause to think about what our plans are, whether it's for Halloween or for Thanksgiving," he said.

Over the years, Halloween has grown from a night of spooky fun for children on Oct. 31 into a billion-dollar industry with weeks of celebrations, parties and parades enjoyed by people of all ages. Canceling it altogether might cause major economic disruption in a year that has had more than enough trauma from Covid-19.

For weeks, cities, towns, retailers and confectioners across the country have braced for more subdued celebrations - if they happen at all.

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Wonder Woman, also known as Timya Garett, 7, attended trick-or-treat make-up day in Pittsfield, Mass., last year in early November. Credit... Stephanie Zollshan/Berkshire Eagle, via Associated Press

For the spookiest day of the year, the C.D.C. listed activities in three categories: higher risk, moderate risk and lower risk. Pumpkin carving with members of the same household and virtual costume contests were classified as lower risk, while trick-or-treating door to door and attending a crowded indoor haunted house were listed as higher risk.

On the list of moderate risks was "trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goody bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance."

Dr. Tista Ghosh, an epidemiologist and senior medical director at Grand Rounds, a digital health care company in San Francisco, said she was not surprised to see the C.D.C. take what she called a "middle of the road" approach for the guidelines, which appear to balance science with personal freedom.

Dr. Ghosh, the former chief medical officer for the state of Colorado, said the concern with trick-or-treating stemmed from its inherent face-to-face interaction. The risk is highest for adults who are around children and may have underlying medical conditions. But, she said, "there are ways to participate in Halloween that could minimize risks."

Dr. Hirschwerk, the Northwell infectious diseases attending, called the guideline's emphasis on avoiding indoor gatherings, large groups, and the use of face coverings (not your costume's mask) helpful because "this is an infection that really is about the air that we breathe and about making sure that we're separated from each other and that we're not spending too much time together indoors."

Candy sellers are trying to put the best face on the reduced celebrations. "Beyond doubt, this Halloween will be different than years past," said Christopher Gindlesperger, a spokesman for the National Confectioners Association, a trade group for candy makers.

Mr. Gindlesperger said he and his family treat it more like a season than a one-night event. This year, they'll be safely celebrating by "decorating the house, working on our coordinated family costumes, streaming 'It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,'" carving pumpkins" and hanging out with neighbors at a safe social distance.

According to Dr. Ghosh, some strategies for safer trick-or-treating include: leaving baskets of candy outside your home; having kids wear gloves and carry hand sanitizer; and keeping parties and other gatherings outdoors and socially distanced. You could set out pool noodles or other markers so children have visual markers for the prescribed six feet of distance, she suggested.

And while you don't need to sanitize each and every candy wrapper, you should make sure your hands are clean before eating any sweets, Dr. Ghosh said.

What if you don't have a porch, patio or front yard where you can leave treats?

Dr. Ghosh recommended using a balcony if you have one, or consider investing in a heat lamp or heat structure "that can help use outdoor space more" if you have visitors.

At the very least, she stressed the importance of ventilation - opening windows and doors - if you do have people visit inside your home.

Dr. Robert Glatter, an emergency physician at Lenox Hill Hospital in New York City, said a small group - 10 or fewer people - could have a costume show or other outdoor gathering with masks and social distancing of at least six feet. "The key is to make it a brief get-together, which further reduces risk," he said. "It's the time spent together that increases risk of transmission."

Officials looking to prevent a public health disaster are asking that people beware of indoor activities and large groups of people as fall holidays, including Halloween, get underway.

Crowded indoor parties and haunted houses "where people may be crowded together and screaming," are on the higher-risk end of the spectrum right alongside traditional trick-or-treating, according to the C.D.C.

The agency also lists traveling to rural fall festivals (think harvest festivals) if you're coming from an area with high Covid-19 rates as "higher risk."

Dr. Glatter agreed with that advice and took it a step further: He recommended against attending Halloween parties outside your community.

"Even though a mask and distancing mitigate risk, such events can generate superspreaders, placing even more people and families with older persons at risk," he said.

Both the C.D.C. and Dr. Glatter consider drinking alcohol a higher-risk activity as it can cloud your judgment and "increase risky behaviors."

Several traditional Halloween parades, which invite crowds of spectators to huddle on sidewalks, have already been canceled or moved online, just as cities canceled parades for Saint Patrick's Day in March and for Pride in June.

This year would have been the 47th annual Village Halloween Parade in New York City, but organizers scrapped the famed event, saying it was "because we love you all too much to endanger you and we care about your health and well-being."

Parades were also canceled in many other places, including several towns and cities in Pennsylvania, where the tradition is robust. Bethlehem will be hosting its first virtual parade.

Portsmouth, N.H., called off its parade after having considered "all options, including a reverse parade, alternate locations, a rolling parade, route changes" and concluding "there is simply no way to keep both the spirit of the parade and participants/spectators safe during the Covid-19 pandemic."

It's important to remember that these spooky festivities mean a lot to kids, Dr. Ghosh said.

"I think completely taking away Halloween could be detrimental to some of the mental health issues that kids are facing right now," Dr. Ghosh said. She added that she always cautions people to "balance the risk of whatever activity they're doing with mental health risks as well, and look for ways to minimize risk rather than reduce risk to zero because that's just not possible."

In September, the Halloween and Costume Association announced new tools to help people make decisions for the holiday, including a color-coded risk-level map that was provided by the Harvard Global Health Institute.

A parent with two children herself, Dr. Ghosh said her family was planning to wear gloves and costumes (which are crucial to the holiday experience), and were going to homes "that I know the owners of, where they will be placing candy outside."

A Zoom Halloween party may also be in the works, and for her oldest, a 13-year-old, a possible backyard movie night - with everyone bringing their own food and chairs for socially distant seating.

"Holidays help us maintain our sense of rituals and 'normalcy' during a not-so normal time," Dr. Glatter said. "Whatever we can do to keep holiday celebrations and traditions at least partially intact - while remaining safe - serves as a guidepost or compass during these turbulent times."

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Can Halloween Be Saved? Yes, Experts Say. Here's How.

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You can still safely celebrate the ghoulish season, but trick-or-treating and other celebrations may have to be modified to protect against coronavirus infection. It had already been a hard year for kids. They lost time with friends and teachers at school, their summer vacations and their everyday routines to the coronavirus.

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Trick or treating can still happen while also minimizing the spread of Covid if precautions like these are met
COVID-19:

Stay home if you are not feeling well.

Consider wearing a mask over your nose and mouth when trick-or-treating and handing out treats.

Avoid large gatherings or parties and find ways to trick-or-treat while staying at least 6 feet away from others, including when handing out and accepting treats.

Practice frequent hand cleaning - bring a bottle of alcohol-based hand sanitizer with you while trick-or-treating, and use it often.

https://www.readynh.gov/halloweensafety.htm

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Trick or treating should be allowed
if masks are worn
https://today.yougov.com/topics/lifestyle/articles-reports/2020/10/14/halloween-trick-or-treat-coronavirus-poll-data

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I feel like you shouldn't go out this year,With it being cold and windy,you could get sick.You also could get sick from the pandemic.You also have to wear a mask the whole time while a few kids will probably discard the mask and run around without it,which in return could spread the virus. Also you would need to social distance but children would be in groups which that wouldn't work.

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Kids should go trick or treating but with few people and with masks.
https://www.novanthealth.org/healthy-headlines/your-guide-to-halloween-trick-or-treating-and-covid-19

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I think trick or treating should be allowed only if people social distance, wear a mask, wash their hands, ban candies with loose wrapping like tootsie rolls, and big parties should be banned on halloween. People who are trick or Treating should also only eat their candy at home, so they don't spread germs. Also, kids under the age of 9 should have a parent or guardian with them making sure they social distance. With these rules in play, Trick or Treating should be allowed.

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https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html
There is a high risk of getting covid by trick-or-treating. Touching all the doorbells and sharing candy can spread covid really easily.

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I do not think you should trick or treat because if people do not do it the correct way, it could end very badly and cases could spike. Also, if someone does not know that they have it, then they could potentially infect everyone they give candy to.

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I believe that trick or treating should NOT be allowed because it will become flu season soon and people can be more prone to sicknesses. Families should stay home to be safe from or cases could spike and we would have to stay home for months like earlier in the year. If you go to different houses you don't know where they have been.

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I think that trick or treating should not be allowed this year unless you plan on taking proper precautions such as social distancing, wearing a mask , wearing gloves , disinfecting the candy being past out, ect.

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we should be allowed but with certain guidelines

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Trick or Treat should not be allowed because it still has a risk of getting covid-19. Kids that's participating might not be able to control them self and not following the social distancing.

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https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2020/09/09/will-halloween-2020-be-canceled-coronavirus/
Kids don't really understand social distancing and the virus could spread fast by people not social distancing. The cases are also getting high.

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Trick-or-Treating shouldn't be cancelled because it can spark relationships with others. Plus there are rules that people can follow and the parents can help their kids follow the rules.

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I do not support, because kids won't social distances and other people also touched the candy when other kids pick the candy which will spread the virus. People will also won't wear masks and gloves. They won't sanitized their hands after every house.

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i feel like if people dont want candy then they would just want t hang ut with their friends but if they did want the candy they can just bye it

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I say no trick or treating as people use Halloween for the experience of seeing friends and family as about half of the candy people collect is not eaten. Lots of kids also don't get the gravity of Covid so they take off their masks. People also might not meet the precautions of Covid Trick or Treating and let the kids do whatever.

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kids tend to go crazy when there exited

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Wash your hands

Bring hand sanitizer with you and use it after touching objects or other people.

Use hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.

Parents: supervise young children using hand sanitizer.

Wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds when you get home and before you eat any treats.

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792,188 total child COVID-19 cases reported, and children represented 11.0% (792,188/7,207,186) of all cases