Many people wonder what Halloween will look like in a year of a deadly virus, social distancing, and face mask requirements. Kari Keen asks on social media, "Is our neighborhood still trick-or-treating, or did it get canceled?" The post received 28 comments, all with the addresses of participating houses.
Steve Owens of Keizer, Oregon, is planning to take his six-year-old son, Kingston, trick-or-treating.
Owens says, "The virus doesn't affect younger people like it does older people. It is the least of my worries right now."
There is an understanding that if the front porch light is on, the house is taking part in the Halloween festivities, but it is respected if the front porch light stays off. Edward Barraclough says he wants to participate this year. His wife was recently diagnosed with the condition that would put her at risk of the virus, so he got creative and blocked his porch with a bowl of candy and the note that says, "please take one," others made shoots from pipes to deliver candy at a safe distance.
Owens acknowledges and respects people's choice who do not want to take part in the events, but he said, "If the front light is on, then that house is game."
The Center for Disease Control states Trick-or-Treating and Trunk-or-Treating as a high-risk activity, where events like pumpkin carving and virtual costume contests are in the low-risk category.
Many people agree that we should not keep our kids from enjoying their youth if it does not affect the ones susceptible to the virus. Kate Brown, Oregon's Governor, urges that Oregonians not to participate in trick-or-treating due to the high risk, in a tweet, "I know it feels like more trick than treat, but the safest way to celebrate Halloween is at home this year. If you are not sure why, here's the reasoning being the @CDCgov's recommendation."