The start of this decade hasn’t been the best. Everything we were used to upended itself. Our lives have transformed, to a point where a simple handshake makes many of us shudder. Of course, vaccines have helped us see the hope of an end to the global health crisis. And so, the world is slowly regaining some sense of the normalcy we were used to before the pandemic. That means holidays like Halloween may be a possibility this year. But like most lifestyle changes, it could look very different than many others.
However, it is important to be aware of the dangers of social gatherings. If you haven’t gotten a vaccine already, you should do so before engaging in social interactions this COVID Halloween. Even people who are inoculated are still not immune to carrying the virus or infecting other people. Therefore, it is up to all of us to follow and enforce responsible behavior this Halloween. Here are a few ideas to have a responsible and safe Halloween this year:
Keep Sanitizers and Disinfectant Nearby
If you plan on participating in the Halloween celebrations in your neighborhood this year, you need to make sure you have responsible fun. People typically carry their own hand sanitizer around, but you don’t have to rely on others. Well before you start decorating, start stocking up on sanitizers, disinfectant sprays, alcohol wipes, and other things that help you sterilize hands and surfaces. In addition, make sure to buy sealed bags of candies and thoroughly disinfect them before you pour them into bowls for trick-or-treaters.
Wipe All Surfaces Trick-or-Treaters Touch
Everyone tries to be careful, but kids, in particular, can forget sometimes. A holiday that many look forward to all year could be one of those times. Make sure you wipe down doorknobs, railings, doorbell buttons, and any other surface that they touch. If at all possible, set your Halloween candy station out on a porch or in your driveway. That way, you can limit what surfaces people will come into contact with. And cleaning those could be far easier. You could even sit out in a costume and engage with young Halloween revelers. This means you have fewer surfaces to clean repeatedly and more time to engage in the festivities.
Wear Masks in Addition to Your Costume Masks
Masked costumes are the norm on Halloween. But your werewolf mask may not be as effective as a surgical or nano-filter mask. It doesn’t sound very comfortable, but you may have to wear an actual mask beneath your costume mask for a responsible and safe holiday. But don’t be too put off. People wear masks all evening on Halloween and they do well enough. An extra mask, that actually protects you, won’t be any more uncomfortable than a fake silicone mask.
Keep All Gatherings Outdoors with Appropriate Distancing
Finally, when you throw your annual COVID Halloween party this year, don’t worry about securing your indoor furniture too much. If you have a backyard, a lawn, or even an outdoor community area, that should be the first choice of venue for a party. Remember to require everyone to show proof of vaccination though. And make sure people follow distancing rules strictly. It goes without saying that masks will be mandatory for any and all attendees.
