Pro: Trick-or-treating

Pro: Trick-or-treating

Halloween will be different this year, but that doesn’t mean that people shouldn’t go trick-or-treating.

While California state health officials recommend people skip it this year, they didn’t prohibit the activity.  

How does a parent explain to their child that they can’t go trick-or-treating this year? 

Children have had it hard this year with their summer canceled and their school going virtual. Halloween is probably one of those holidays that they are looking forward to celebrating.  

If adults can go out to restaurants and dine outdoors by following safety guidelines, why can’t parents take their children trick-or-treating and do the same? 

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated their guidelines last month for people who want to go trick-or-treating. 

The CDC recommends avoiding direct contact with trick-or-treaters and setting up a station with individually bagged treats for them to take.

Trick-or-treaters can incorporate their masks into their costumes, but the CDC said not to wear a costume mask over a cloth mask as it could create difficulty breathing while walking.

Participants could stay six feet away from others who don’t live in the same household, bring hand sanitizer, and wash hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating any treats.  

While there are cities across Southern California that are restricting or banning treat-or-tricking, such as Beverly Hills, other cities are trying to look for alternative ways to keep the spirit of Halloween alive.  

The Burbank Police Department is hosting a “Reverse Trick-or-Treat” starting Saturday, Oct. 24, where officers will bring treats to children. 

They will also have a pumpkin-coloring contest. Children are encouraged to print out a Halloween pumpkin template, color in the blanks and tape it in a window that faces the street so officers can see when they drive by during patrol.

People should continue to celebrate Halloween by going trick-or-treating because the spirit of Halloween shouldn’t change because of COVID-19.