Natalie Morgan
Staff Writer
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Halloween 2020 is rapidly approaching and much like everything else this year trick or treating is going to look very different. Silver Spring Township has set a time and date for trick or treating this year and are leaving it up to individual households to decide if they would like to participate. Is it really safe for children to go door to door this year though?
“Clearly COVID cases are increasing and any activity has to be assessed for risk," Dr. John Goldman, an infectious disease doctor at Pinnacle Health Hospital. "I think that there are ways that trick or treating can be made much safer but the decision about whether you should go are really up to the individual and their comfort with risk. In addition, there are some situations where the consequences of getting infected are worse and should make people think more carefully about trick or treating.”
Going door to door possesses a risk for COVID but so does staying at home handing out candy.
“In terms of people giving out the candy. They should make sure that the trick or treaters stay outdoors, wear masks themselves, and only give out wrapped candy. People who are elderly, have a medical condition, or are obese, should simply consider leaving the candy outdoors so they do not have direct contact with the trick or treater,” Dr. Goldman said.
Trick or treating is something that kids look forward too every year. All though this year poses some safety concerns there are ways to make it safer so children can still enjoy a fun holiday.
“In terms of the person doing the trick or treating. COVID's main method of transmission is respiratory. Trick or treating is usually outdoors so that is much safer. I think it is much safer to trick or treat outside from house to house than it is to go door to door in an apartment building. Regardless of where you are trick or treating you should wear a mask; not a Halloween mask but a cloth or surgical mask," Dr. Goldman said. "In addition, I would only recommend that you only accept wrapped candy. I would not eat fruit or any candy that is not in the original packaging. A mask, trick or treating outside, and accepting only wrapped candy will make trick or treating a low risk activity but nothing will eliminate the risk entirely."
For those trick or treating this year Silver Spring Township is holding its trick or treating on October 29, 2020 from 6-8pm. Make sure to wear your mask while out around other groups of people and social distance to ensure a fun and safe Halloween.