Opinion:Halloween scrapped due to Covid-19 (or is it?)

The CDC has new recommendations for All Hallows’ Eve because of the current coronavirus, and is disagreed upon by many.

Why is this a bad thing? Shouldn’t we be safe? What could go wrong? The answers to those questions are already answered by CDC, and I am not here to bash them, but to share an opinion.

First of all, let’s talk about masks. They are not only part of our everyday lifestyle now, but have been a big part of Halloween for as long as I can remember.

The CDC doesn’t directly say no to Halloween masks, but not only do they say “Do not use a costume mask- as a substitute for a cloth mask unless [it has at least two layers of breathable fabric ],” they also say “Avoid singing, chanting, or shouting, especially when not wearing a mask-,” “Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask because- can be dangerous- consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.” “Wear a mask at all times when around people who don’t live in your household” If you really think about it, instead of getting too angry, you can find some pretty cool Halloween masks out there, and you can shout to the top of your lungs, sing, and chant all you want to in the privacy of your own home (as long as it’s ok with your parents).

So, how do you feel about a virtual Halloween this year? I’ll admit this one doesn’t necessarily excite me. Virtual Halloween gets a lot of hate I imagine, but if we looked up some ideas, maybe we could find something exciting.

The CDC says “Celebrating virtually- poses low risk for spread.”, and did you know Party Cty has a guide on how to throw a virtual Halloween party? There are plenty of those kinds of guides to go around, including https://www.thebash.com/articles/how-to-host-a-virtual-halloween-party, https://teambuilding.com/blog/virtual-halloween-party, and https://www.centurylink.com/home/help/discover/how-to-host-a-virtual-halloween-party.html.

The activities you might find at these events tend to be Halloween themed, and might include virtual trick or treat, spooky scavenger hunts, and online haunted houses. Along with some of the games like war of the wizards, international monster hunt, and a virtual trick or treat.

Although this isn’t something you might think of when you think of Halloween, what we have to keep in mind is some people don’t have the option for a full on Halloween party, so this opens many options for long distance communication with your family and friends.

These regulations and standards have been thrust on us like Community levels of COVID-19 - “Higher levels of COVID-19 cases and community spread in the gathering location, as well as where attendees are coming from, increase the risk of infection and spread among attendees,” or the duration of the gathering - “Gatherings that last longer pose more risk than shorter gatherings,” or even the locations attendees are traveling from- “Gatherings with attendees who are traveling from different places pose a higher risk than gatherings with attendees who live in the same area,” and the behaviors of attendees during the gathering- “Gatherings with more preventive measures in place, such as mask wearing, social distancing, and hand washing, pose less risk than gatherings where fewer or no preventive measures are being implemented.”

Though I will admit that I may not like all the rules, especially with my mask constantly rubbing my ears raw, and the society using fearful words like preventive, dangerous, and high risk, I, along with many I am sure, have to understand these rules/ regulations are for my own safety along with others, and as someone with younger siblings at my home, I wouldn’t want to bring anything home that would put them, or my parents, at risk.

Before we had to stay out of the way of shady houses, and check our candy for razors, and now we’ve got to worry about both that and Covid. I didn’t choose to write this to bash CDC’s regulations, and I ask you to please be safe this Halloween, and have fun as well.

CDC has regulations for a reason, and if you don’t follow them, that’s you, but if you don’t want to keep yourself safe just think just for a second: is this safe for other people/ the people I love?

Halloween has been re-invented not scrapped, and just remember, your trick-or-treating, and Halloween party days are not over.