Well, here’s a headache in waiting for you, especially if you’re one of those folks who wait all year for Hallowe’en to come round and make a bigger deal about it than you do Thanksgiving or some other holidays I won’t refer to by name to avoid opening what could evolve into a ugly ‘debate’…
Street party with nearly all attendees wearing masks…
Already some municipalities have officially cancelled Hallowe’en, or at least Trick-or-Treating, to help control the spread of COVID-19. Others are reminding their constituents that strict rules prohibiting parties – or any kind of gathering – of more than 10 people. Many localities are still maintaining, or have reinstated, regulations banning prolonged-contact events involving anyone other than your immediate family or other members of your self-isolation group.
The overriding message is: No conventional parties! No conventional Trick-or-Treating! So, what’s left?
Trick-or-Treating hacks
One innovative hack I saw in an online post still lets your kids parade their costumes up and down the street but eliminates the need for them even to enter your yard, much less knock or ring at your front door. There’s still lots of time to organize a ‘tailgate-stytle’ event in your neighbourhood in which an adult member of your family (costume optional, mask and gloves mandatory) doles out treats from the open trunk or cargo box of your car or truck/SUV, which you’ve parked right down at he street end of your laneway.But this may require a lot of organizing and success will depend on the willingness of your neighbours to take part.
Another approach I’ve seen described or pictured in a number of places involves attaching a chute to the handrail of your front step, down which you can drop treats without violating the principle of social distancing or making contact. The crucial elements of this one are that you arrange a down angle that allows the easy fall of treats and a chute internal diameter /width of at least 3 in. / 7.5 cm. You can construct some sort of square-profile chute with cardboard or other lightweight material, or just go the the home store and purchase a length of plastic drain pipe from the plumbing aisle. Duct tape will be more than sufficient to mount it to its support..
Parties may still be possible…
I read about one guy who loves his Hallowe’en celebration so much, he’ trying to organize his distant family members and friends into a Zoom matrix on his largest computer monitor while they screen the same Hallowe’en movies simultaneously on their living room big screen TVs. Each group is responsible for its own treats, of course. Costumes optional. Boozy or dry at each location’s option. Again, this is an ambitious commitment for the organizer, but I’ll admit, it could be fun!
In jurisdictions which still allow such gatherings, try putting together a street or parking lot party where attendees observe social distancing rules. wear masks and (for good measure) gloves.One possible problem: everyone comes costumed s an operating room surgeon, blending the real PPE gear they choose to wear into their costume. This option requires someone to organize food and drinks and music. And while lots of your neighbours will agree it’s a great notion, how many will pay their fair share for all that without some arm twisting. Not to mention the issue of crashers. Hmmm… It’s all beginning to sound like a bigger bother than its worth.
Hint: Though there is no conclusive evidence that COVID-19 can be transmitted on food, it’s best to specify to all large-gathering buffet contributors that their offerings should be commercially prepared and properly packaged. No doggie bags! And all leftovers should be thrown in the nearest dumpster at the end of the evening.
Anyway…
… The foregoing demonstrate that there are ways to ‘do’ Hallowe’en without risking big-dollar citations for violating the local COVID-19 rules and bylaws. Spend an hour googling around the all-knowing Net to see what other ideas folks have shared… And when you have built your plan and received buy-in from the neighbours, call the Health Department to get their take on it, and a rundown on all precautions and limits you need to take or abide by…
~ Maggie J.