A traditional Halloween pastime will look and a feel different this year. As COVID-19 cases continue to rise with the start of the flu season just around the corner, it’s important for the public to remain vigilant in efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.
Creighton’s newly announced chair of the Department of Clinical Research and assistant dean for Clinical Research and Public Health, Maureen Tierney, MD, MSc, says trick-or-treating can be made less risky for COVID-19 transmission by following the suggestions below, although door to door trick or treating will still carry some risk. She highly recommends avoiding indoor activities, such as haunted houses or costume parties.
Dr. Tierney offers parents these tips for trick-or-treating this Halloween:
- Wash hands often. Practice good hygiene by washing hands with soap and water, especially before eating treats. Hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol can be used after touching objects or people after each treat is received. Parents should supervise young children. Those giving out treats should wash hands before preparing treat bags.
- Wear a cloth mask. Make a cloth mask part of your costume. A costume mask is not a substitute for a cloth mask and should not be worn over a cloth mask since it can make breathing difficult. Masks should not be worn by children under the age of 2 or anyone who has trouble breathing. Those giving out treats should wear a mask.
- Maintain social distancing guidelines. Avoid direct contact and keep 6 feet of social distancing from those who do not live in your household. Those handing out treats should do so outdoors, consider setting up a station with individually bagged treats or placing candy through a shoot or a tube or tossing treats from a distance of 6 feet or more.
- Protect high risk people. If you or those you live with are high risk, consider alternative Halloween activities.
- Wipe down treats. Or let them sit for a couple of days before your children open them.
Some ideas for Halloween activities with lower risk for COVID-19 transmission include:
- A scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search at home with your household members.
- A scavenger hunt outdoors with kids from outside of the household that has children searching for Halloween items at a distance (of at least 6 feet or more) from one another
- Virtual costume party.