BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — Halloween, like so many things this pandemic, will not be the same this year. Last month, the CDC suggested avoiding the door-to-door tradition calling it a “higher-risk activity.”
Still some states are trying to find ways to keep Halloween alive and safe.
“Yes, Halloween is on,” said New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy in a press conference Monday. He wants everyone to keep celebrations outdoors, wear masks and avoid communal candy bowls.
“You may wish to dress as a knucklehead this Halloween, but we don’t want anyone to act like one,” said Murphy.
Connecticut recommends virtual or drive-by events. In New York —“Let your kids know there's gonna be an opportunity for Halloween that they can celebrate and feel like little kids again,” said Lt. Governor Kathy Hochul last month on the matter.
New York officialswarned against big parties last month. The New York State Health Department said in an email to 7 Eyewitness News Monday night it is “closely monitoring the current situation” before making further recommendations.
7 Eyewitness News reporter Nikki DeMentri asked infectious diseases expert, Dr. Thomas Russo: “I know every state has its own guidance…What do you feel like is going to be the main difference [this year] to keep us safe?”
The Chief of the Division of Infectious Diseases in the Department of Medicine at the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at the University at Buffalo answered: “Well, when it comes to the new coronavirus, it’s interactions with individuals that are not wearing masks.”
Dr. Russo has three tips for families this Halloween:
- Stick together and trick-or-treat in your own social bubble.
- Wear a cloth mask underneath the costume mask. Parents should wear masks, too.
- Leave the candy outside the front door or at the end of the driveway.
“Individuals that are handing out candy think wow, if I put my bucket of candy outside, the first group of kids that comes by is going to empty my bucket. So my strategy would be put maybe a half dozen or ten treats or bars in there. After groups pass through, periodically check it and intermittently refill it,” said Dr. Russo.
