Since January, America has been implementing social distancing and alternative methods of communication due to COVID-19.
With the slow release of businesses reopening over the year, people have been going into public more and more often. Masks, increased cleaning procedures and social distancing are crucial to being in public places during a pandemic. However, it has also desensitized us to the danger of infection.
Some patrons of businesses refuse to wear masks, and social distancing is more of a suggestion than a mandate. Because of this, are we beginning to forget the importance of quarantine? This is especially important during the upcoming holiday season.
Halloween is a popular time for parties and social gatherings to be held. Costume contests, trick or treating groups, and even dinner parties are commonplace during late October. However, is this a feasible way to celebrate during a pandemic?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) encourages skipping the large social gatherings this year and, instead, staying home and keeping potential contaminants at bay. This is especially important for people with preexisting autoimmune conditions, families with elderly relatives and families with young children.
Going to parties — especially ones held indoors — is a potential danger to everyone involved. It’s virtually impossible to know who has been in contact with the coronavirus, as there’s no telling where people have been or who they have been in contact with before attending a party.
The New York Times reported a single-day record of over 85,000 new cases of COVID-19 in the United States on Friday, Oct. 23. Coming into contact with anyone who has been near an infected individual can mean the loss of income, a loved one or even one’s own life.
If hosting or attending a holiday gathering is required, or you simply wish to celebrate with loved ones, the CDC offers a list of tips for both party hosts and guests. Gatherings should be held outside as much as possible to facilitate air circulation. The number of guests should be as limited as possible in order to avoid potential exposure to communicable disease.
Providing party guests with any COVID-19 related news can help quell any fear, as knowledge can only improve someone’s understanding of a dire situation. The CDC also encourages party hosts to provide guests with access to hand sanitizer, extra masks and any other equipment that could potentially stop the spread of disease.
The CDC recommends pandemic-friendly Halloween activities such as carving pumpkins at home, hosting a virtual Halloween party or even walking around a nearby neighborhood to enjoy seeing the decorations.
Just because COVID-19 is still a prevalent part of 2020 doesn’t mean that Halloween should stop being fun.
If dressing in costume, it is advised to remember to wear a mask in order to stop the potential spread of contaminants. However, costume masks and face masks should not be layered on top of one another, as this can limit breathing ability.
The CDC recommends that costume masks should not replace a face mask unless it is made of at least two layers of breathable fabric. As always, masks should cover the nose and mouth without leaving gaps around the face.
Halloween is a time for celebration, and 2020’s new social guidelines should not impact the joy of the season. However, attending a social event during quarantine is a personal choice. If that cannot be done, then there are countless ways to still have fun — even without being in crowds.
Photo by Emma Crouch
