Residents of Walled Lake, Michigan are spooked about a Halloween with the COVID-19 pandemic. Home to 7,000 residents, parents students and doctors are preparing for a safe holiday.
Halloween and COVID-19
“Very interesting,” said Dr. Alka Jain when asked. “I have a 12-year-old (who) wants to go trick-or-treating, so we had to figure out a plan for her. Everyone is on a different spectrum with COVID-19. I believe COVID is real, harmful, and I believe we should be cautious. My thought is that the kids should enjoy Halloween. They have been isolated and forced to change their life drastically which is not good for them.”
The Parkside by the Lakes neighborhood located in Commerce Township may not have trick-or-treating this year. Credit: Lance Limbo
Commerce Township resident Lisa Schkoor weighs in about this spooky holiday.
“We’re not going trick-or-treating,” Schkoor said. “My son will stay home, carve some pumpkins, have some apple cider, and just hang out here watching movies and spending time with family stuff like that.”
Different ways to celebrate
Keeping kids from trick-or-treating is very important in these times, but it leads to creative ways to fill the void.
“Putting candy in a bowl and leaving it on your porch is a lot safer and obviously a better alternative than being face to face,” said Alison Burrow, a Walled Lake resident. “But if there is absolutely no trick-or-treating this year, then I think an alternative could be parents setting up a DIY trick-or-treating and have their kids knock on different doors in their house and receive candy that way.”
Candy for kids who plan to go trick-or-treating. Credit: Lance Limbo
Families in the community have incorporated a trunk or treat for a safe alternative.
“We went to a trunk or treat last night,” Schkoor said. “It was outside there were only about six cars there, everyone had masks on and there were not a lot of kids, and we went from car to car to get some candy, and we were there for about 30 minutes.”
The consequences
Halloween is a popular holiday, but the pandemic could have other ideas with potential spikes.
“There definitely is potential for COVID cases to spike this weekend,” Burrow said. “Between trick or treating and Halloween parties, it’s sad, but I’d be surprised if there isn’t an increase in cases.”
Halloween may be different with the pandemic, but still can be enjoyed being cautious and safe.
“Depending on how safe people decide they need to be we are going to see spikes,” said Jain. “But at the same time, the spread of flu that would occur on any Halloween being face to face with people in their homes is going to go down. People are going to wear masks and keep their distance. I think we should enjoy Halloween reasonably and cautiously.”
For more information about Halloween during COVID-19 click here, and here.