Halloween 2020: is it cancelled?

By Ella Paul, 2024

Published 10/21/2020

Costume parties, haunted houses, and trick-or-treating: are we at risk for losing it all? After everything that has been cancelled this year, many people are wondering if Halloween is next. As of right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have not released any clear or specific guidelines regarding celebrations for this much awaited holiday. They have released recommendations to promote safe Halloween activities including outdoor gatherings only, shortening the duration of events, and limiting the number of attendees. Unfortunately, the CDC considers some of our favorite Halloween activities “high risk” such as indoor parties, trick-or-treating/trunk-or-treating, and haunted houses. Some of their lower risk activities include carving pumpkins at a safe distance with family and friends, decorating your home, virtual parties and costume contests, or a Halloween movie night with the members of your household.

When asked about their comfort level with trick-or-treating this year, a member of the freshman class stated, “Given the chance, would you feel comfortable going trick-or-treating with the risk of being exposed to COVID-19?” they answered, “If I was given the option to go trick-or-treating this year with the COVID-19 pandemic still in full effect, I think I wouldn't go. I believe that it is safer for me and others if we did not go trick-or-treating because you do not know who has the virus or may have been exposed and is now exposing you. Therefore, with knowing you could be in danger of getting this virus I think it is best to stay home.” On the other hand, another student answered, “Yes, I would still go because I think the possibilities of contracting the virus are pretty low."

Whether or not people are comfortable with trick-or-treating, many people still think that Halloween is important this year because of all the recent cancellations. Town officials in Springfield, Massachusetts have decided that there is officially no trick-or-treating allowed, so towns in Connecticut might be next, but for the time being let’s keep our hopes up for this holiday season!