Holidays meet Covid = Mega Superspreader

rcjordan · September 23, 2020, 06:16:25 PM

In the US, Halloween has become maybe the largest young adult party event, while we also still drag rugrats through the streets and door-to-door. But given our poor track record on university and school reopenings, Debbie says the Halloween is going to be a real train wreck.

Brad · September 23, 2020, 07:04:07 PM

We have not gotten final word from the town on trick or treating and if it will be allowed yet, but I've already decided I'm not handing out candy this year if it's on. I may put out a bucket with candy and let the little goblins take what they want but I'm staying clear of the feeding frenzy.

Kids seem to come in clumps on Halloween and remembering social distancing is a bit much to expect from the young ones when they are so excited.

rcjordan · September 23, 2020, 07:26:34 PM

>bucket

We've done that for years, worked fine. Usually, a few 'illegal' (over age 14) teens straggle by late and we tell them to take everything that's left.

But, for the last few years, the neighborhood has been running a big T-or-T hayride. Homeowners sit at the end of their driveway and pass a bucket around among the kids on the long, open trailers. That'll work for us ...but I wouldn't want to be on that trailer.

Still, I think the big spreaders will be teen/adult house parties.

Brad · September 23, 2020, 07:43:17 PM

> parties

My advice to the neighborhood POA board was to not host any parties for Halloween and Christmas because they could turn into spreader events.

rcjordan · September 23, 2020, 09:50:15 PM

Americans load up on candy, trick or treat - or not
https://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory/americans-load-candy-trick-treat-73200420

DrCool · September 24, 2020, 04:55:36 PM

I have been tempted to build a zipline/pulley system to deliver the candy curbside to the kids but we only get 2 or 3 trick or treaters on a normal year so that is probably overkill.

My thought is everyone should set their kids up in lawn chairs on the front yard and people drive by and throw candy out the car windows to them.

rcjordan · September 24, 2020, 04:59:15 PM

>throw candy

My daughter in Charleston is going to do the 'candy tube' piped to the bottom of the porch steps (as shown on /r).

Locally in town, there was talk of the police doing trunk-or-treat.

ergophobe · September 24, 2020, 05:15:43 PM

In my brother's neighborhood they did the opposite for a little girl who couldn't have any friends over for her birthday. All the adults and families set up at the side of the road and her parents walked the neighborhood with her and people wished her happy birthday and sang and gave her small presents such as they could obtain at the depth of lockdown when retail was still closed.

I think she is about four. My brother said it was super fun for everyone and the girl seemed pretty happy. She didn't have any friends, but she was a celebrity for a day. I wonder if she'll remember it when she gets older.

rcjordan · September 24, 2020, 05:47:13 PM

We participated in a little girl's 9th birthday this summer. Her parents set balloons, banners, and chairs for the immediate family out in the front yard (about 50 ft from the road). The parents posted on the church social site asking for people to drive by any time on the afternoon of her birthday (1-5, IIRC) and blow horn & wave.

According to the mom, it was a big success and the little girl was thrilled.

rcjordan · October 13, 2020, 10:44:38 PM

Californians shouldn't trick-or-treat this Halloween, state says - Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-13/california-halloween-trick-or-treat-state-health-officials-coronavirus

rcjordan · October 16, 2020, 12:29:24 AM

Officials fear Halloween could become super-spreader horror show - Los Angeles Times
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2020-10-15/officials-fear-halloween-could-become-coronavirus-super-spreader

rcjordan · October 22, 2020, 04:52:36 PM

Fines tripled, trains canceled in Salem ahead of Halloween to discourage crowds during COVID pandemic - masslive.com

https://www.masslive.com/coronavirus/2020/10/fines-tripled-trains-canceled-in-salem-ahead-of-halloween-to-discourage-crowds-during-covid-pandemic.html

rcjordan · November 02, 2020, 02:35:17 AM

Thousands attend Halloween party in Utah County until police arrive
https://www.ksl.com/article/50041477/thousands-attend-halloween-party-in-utah-county-until-police-arrive

Police break up two New York Halloween parties that drew nearly 1,000 people
https://www.axios.com/coronavirus-halloween-new-york-0be377dc-ef40-47b7-ba95-da67678b78d4.html

rcjordan · November 12, 2020, 10:04:26 PM

With a few exceptions, all I'm hearing around here is 'Damn the virus, full speed ahead with Thanksgiving!" It's gonna be a mega-spreader like Halloween apparently was (looking at the current record number of cases).

Chicago Mayor Issues Stay-At-Home Advisory, Asks Residents To Cancel Thanksgiving Plans
https://www.forbes.com/sites/tommybeer/2020/11/12/chicago-mayor-issues-stay-at-home-advisory-asks-residents-to-cancel-thanksgiving-plans/

DrCool · November 13, 2020, 10:23:18 PM

>Thanksgiving

Our governor put out a statement last night urging people to not do Thanksgiving with anyone outside their household. That is going to be a TOUGH sell for most people.