Halloween is a time for spooky celebrations and trick or treating. A time when the imagination of children shows through their costumes. A time for getting candy and having fun with friends. It’s also now time for extra safety measures due to the pandemic. Last year was the first Halloween season in a pandemic, and although this one will be different from last year, it will not be typical. Roger, a local dad, shares his concerns about the second pandemic Halloween season.
“My main concern was the general comfort of my kid just being out because sometimes some of the costumes out there scared her. Another main concern is that she had fun now that everything is backing off, right? Just make sure she brings a mask with her if she wants to use it. The way I look at it is right now, even at school on the playground, they’re now allowed to play with other kids, not just kids in her class, as long as they wear a mask. If there aren’t a ton of people out, then maybe we’ll be a little more lenient with her.”
Roger also does not believe the concerns have influenced the excitement of the season.
“I think she’s a little more excited now there is the anticipation that she might not have to go out with a mask. She wants the option to be free. I think this year; it’ll be different because the people were crazy last year; they did not want you going out at all.”
Having years of experience preparing to go out trick or treating, Roger shares some essential advice for parents.
“Now that things are calming down, I would still take some precaution because some bugs are flying around, and you never know what’s going to be out there. So they should still exercise a little bit of caution but not too much that it will ruin the kids’ fun.”
The trick or treating portion is the central portion of Halloween, but it’s nothing without a good costume. Rose McCulloch from McCulloch’s Costume and Party Supplies shares her views on this year’s Halloween season. McCulloch says she sees a big difference in the excitement with this year’s Halloween compared to last year’s.
“There’s a couple of reasons for that as well; it is a weekend Halloween. That makes a difference in our industry. Last year, there wasn’t very much trick or treating going on. Some neighborhoods were doing small things. But the parents didn’t have the excitement; they were buying candies for the kids to have at home and not letting them go out. So we’re seeing an upswing this year in costume sales for kids and adults.”
When asked for any final advice, McCulloch had this to say.
“Well, we still have a few people that said that they’re going to have Halloween at home. They’re going to watch Halloween movies as a family, and they’re all going to dress up, and that’s how they’re going to celebrate Halloween. So that is an option as well. We hear about outside smaller parties outside in people’s backyards. That’s happening, so we noticed that with our decoration section.”
The sequel to last year’s Halloween pandemic is almost here. Although it feels a little more normal, certain safety precautions should still be considered because we are still in a pandemic. But in the right circumstances, a little more freedom to have fun can be possible for trick or treaters.
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