Well, Halloween is here soon - we just have to survive the B.C. election first.
And while the U.S. election campaign has been scary enough, others will want to add a little more fear into their lives. The problem, of course, is COVID-19 and the problem with gathering in groups.
The B.C. Centre of Disease Control (BCCDC) has released guidelines on Halloween and they include not having parties this year.
The problem is that many people have already shown they are willing to ignore such guidelines by throwing big blowouts. Why should anyone expect these clowns to listen now.
Heck, even Airbnb is trying to be good by recognizing the potential for bad behaviour and preventing rentals for Halloween.
The guidelines include trick-or-treating in small bubbles of six, and getting creative in ensuring a distance when handing out treats, such as using tongs. I can't believe parents are going to take their kids out to trick-or-treat with COVID-19. Are parents that afraid of their kids being sad to take this kind of risk? Apparently so.
Pandemic party rules
- You should know everyone who attends, no plus ones.
- Don’t pass around snacks, drinks, smokes, tokes or vapes.
- Be more outside, than inside. Keep your space well-ventilated with windows open.
- Avoid using props that can cause coughing, such as smoke machines.
- Because hand sanitizer is flammable, be careful around open flames.
Trick-or-treating safely
- Respect homes by staying away if the lights are out.
- Keep to your local neighbourhood this year; avoid trick-or-treating in busy areas or indoors.
- Trick-or-treat in a small social group of six people or fewer.
- Leave space between you and other groups to reduce crowding on stairs and sidewalks.
- Wash your hands before you go out, when you get home and before eating treats. (Keep hand sanitizer with you if eating treats on the go. You don’t need to clean every treat but you should wash your hands after handling treats. Do not touch your face.)
Handing out treats
- Use tongs, a baking sheet or make a candy slide to give more space when handing out candy.
- Hand out individual treats instead of offering from a shared bowl.
- Only hand out sealed, pre-packaged treats.
- Wear a non-medical mask that covers your nose and mouth when handing out treats.
- Be more outside than inside. If you can, stand outside your door to hand out treats which also ensure kids won’t need to touch the door or doorbell. If you’re not able to remain outside, clean and disinfect doorbells and knobs, handrails, and any other high-touch surface often during the Halloween night.
- If you are decorating, avoid props that can cause coughing, such as smoke machines.
- Stick to treats — not tricks.
For more information visit bccdc.ca.
- with files from Cindy E. Harnett, Times Colonist
