It is our second ‘COVID Halloween’ and it is far different from the last one.
On one hand there are far more cases in Alberta than in October 2020, but we also know a lot more now. The pandemic is still here, but hopefully the anxiety has dissipated somewhat.
An outdoor activity with your family may feel more enjoyable this year knowing what we know now. Masks are already a part of Halloween, so there should be no problem covering noses and mouths. People came up with ingenious ways of distributing candy from afar last year, using tongs and chutes to get candy out to trick-or-treaters. Leaving a bowl out on the step always works too.
The main difference this Halloween is not going to be for kids, but for teens and adults.
Indoor parties are still limited to 10 people from two households and unvaccinated people are not supposed to congregate indoors with people outside of their household at all.
One message provincial officials have been consistent about is that indoor social gatherings are a high spreader of the COVID virus.
Organizers have, in many cases, been busy altering plans and creating outdoor events that people can still enjoy while staying safe this Halloween. Instead of having a house party, consider howling at the moon with the wolfdogs at the Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary Oct. 30, an experience that supports a good cause and is sure to raise a few hairs.
The inaugural Trick or Trunk event this weekend was cancelled due to low registration numbers, so some people may be still be feeling hesitant to gather with people outside of their household, which is reasonable.
With the fourth wave of COVID dropping off, the last thing anyone wants is another surge, so when you are thinking about what to do this Halloween, think about whether you would like to see a fifth wave, or further relaxation of the COVID restrictions. It would be nice to have a completely normal Halloween in 2022.
COVID cases and deaths are the highest they have been over this last wave, the hospitals are overwhelmed with patients who are extremely sick or fighting for their lives.
Halloween is a time for enjoyment, especially for kids, but we also can’t forget the tremendous effect the fourth wave has had on families and health care workers.
Keep it safe, follow the Provincial recommendations for indoor gatherings and enjoy trick-or-treating, pumpkin carving and scary movies with your family this Halloween.
And if you are still looking for a Halloween costume, a nurse or a doctor would be a nice nod to those who are still trying to get through a very scary time.
