Be prepared for next scary event

Halloween events during a pandemic could spread a virus faster than a ghost in flight.

The nation is just weeks away from a very scary event, and people need to be prepared.

No, we don’tmean the Nov. 3 election. We’re referring to the “scary” incidence of Halloween during a pandemic, the fall event marked by traditions — door-to-door treks, parades, parties — that could spread a virus faster than a ghost in flight.

Health officials are urging parents and communities to be prepared and start planning now for activities that can celebrate Halloween without creating a superspread of COVID-19.

The Centers for Disease Control has issued a set of guidelines, reinforced by state and county officials that classify activities by risk level. The highest risk are activities that involve large groups, close contact and travel:

• participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door,

• having trunk-or-treat events where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots,

• attending crowded costume parties held indoors,

• going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming,

• going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household,

• using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors, and

• traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19.

Also involving a moderate level of risk are:

• participating in one-way trick-or-treating where individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up for families to grab and go while continuing to social distance (such as at the end of a driveway or at the edge of a yard),

• having a small group, outdoor, open-air costume parade where people are distanced more than 6 feet apart,

• attending a costume party held outdoors where protective masks are used and people can remain more than 6 feet apart,

• going to an open-air, oneway, walk-through haunted forest where appropriate mask use is enforced, and people can remain more than 6 feet apart,

• visiting pumpkin patches or orchards where people use hand sanitizer before touching pumpkins or picking apples, wearing masks is encouraged or enforced, and people are able to maintain social distancing, and

• having an outdoorHalloween movie night with local family and friends with people spaced at least 6 feet apart.

The activities categorized as low risk by CDC show ways that individuals and families can enjoy the Halloween and fall celebration without exposing or becoming exposed to the coronavirus. Those low risk activities include:

• carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them,

• carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends,

• decorating your house, apartment, or living space,

• doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloweenthemed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance,

• having a virtual Halloween costume contest,having a Halloween movie night with people you live with, and

• having a scavenger huntstyle trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house.

County officials, echoing recommendations made by the CDC, said those who have COVID-19 or have been exposed to someone with the virus should not participate in in-person Halloween festivities and should not distribute candy to trick-or-treaters. If preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before and after preparing the bags.

A face mask or face shield should be worn at all times. Do not use a Halloween costume mask as a substitute for a cloth mask. The CDC added residents should not wear a costume mask over a protective cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

We endured the summer and altered our beach and vacation routines to prevent virus’ spread. And, we have witnessed the danger of spread when warnings about large group gatherings and close contact were ignored.

Follow the guidelines, and create new Halloween traditions. And be prepared: Thanksgiving is just around the corner.