Parents Talk Halloween Plans
"File:Rack of pumpkins, Keene NH.jpg" by John Phelan is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0
Halloween came and crept right on by as no one wanted to be left in the dark at the end of that month. Yet, some were surely wondering, what does a Halloween (or even any holiday for that matter) look like amidst a global pandemic?
My father, Timothy Hickey, has four children between the ages of nine and two-years-old. According to him, there were not many new rules to be aware of when participating in the holiday.
“We’re just taking them trick-or-treating for a couple of hours, if you wanted to come over? The weather is supposed to be pretty nice. And if you wanted to bring some of your friends too that would be fine,” Hickey said on Oct. 20, 2020.
It was as if nothing was different.
“The kids and Michelle (Michelle, the wife of Hickey). I probably should, but I don’t like wearing a mask. But I guess I will,” said Hickey.
This was the only rule change in site for Hickey. Beforehand, his plans were unfolding as they normally would given the holiday. Inviting me over for trick-or-treating and being open to me bringing friends if I want. My dad was trying their best to respect the idea that times are very different than usual. Yet, the lesson here seems to be: do what you want to do but try to be smart about it.
Elise Cordova, a parent of a six-year-old daughter, had a different approach toward safety precautions.
“We’re just going to have a party with her cousins. We’ll buy candy and just stay at the house. Then when the kids go to sleep, that’s when we’ll party,” said Cordova on Oct. 18, 2020.
Typically, Cordova would take her daughter out for trick-or-treating. However, this year she had a desire to be more cautious than usual and elected to have a small family event instead of traveling door-to-door.
“It will be just my parents and my sisters. And my sister's boyfriend will be there, too,” said Cordova.
This brings the total number of party goers to five adults and four kids. Parties at this time are discouraged. This party is kept at a minimum and so it is not the worst course of action but it is not the safest. The safest course of action of course is to stay home.
So playing it safe is not the fun option but it is most responsible for the well being of all people. But throwing caution to the wind in favor of having a good time is potentially harmful to other people. Social responsibility is being tried in today's world at this time.
The CDC offers the guidelines of keeping masks on and keeping a distance of at least six feet from people. In terms of Halloween it encouraged individuals participating in the holiday to leave a bowl of candy outside of their doors. Moving forward to other holidays the usual guidelines can be adhered to for best possible safety and social responsibility.
For more information feel free to visit https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/downloads/daily-life-coping/Trick-or-treating.pdf