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How to Safely Trick or Treat This Year
Outdoor trick-or-treating is very low-risk, though it doesn’t hurt to wear a mask for an extra layer of protection.
A year ago, we were still gathering data on the various ways SARS-CoV-2 was transmitted among humans, and we didn’t yet have an authorized vaccine, so Halloween activities were trickier to navigate. It was a safe bet that Halloween parties weren’t safe, but was trick-or-treating? Was it necessary to build tube-like contraptions to dispense candy while social distancing from costumed kids? Did parents need to let the candy sit for a few days or dip wrapped candy in a vat of hand sanitizer before kids could eat it?
Fortunately, we know a lot more about how to enjoy the spooky holiday safely this year. More than half of parents (56%) say their children will be trick-or-treating this year, but one in eight parents said their children won’t be specifically because of concerns about Covid, according to the Kaiser Family Foundation. Although most kids of typical trick-or-treating age are still a few days away from being able to get their first Covid-19 vaccine dose, many adults are vaccinated, and we have strong evidence regarding how well masks reduce transmission. Even better, we know how low the risk of transmission is outside.
