“Halloween is traditionally an outdoor holiday and the one time of the year when kids want to wear a mask. This is fully consistent with the CDC safety guidelines, and with the appropriate physical distancing, there are ways to do trick-or-treating safely. Whether this means employing a creative ‘one-way’ solution or finding another way to show off costumes, this type of activity can easily take place this week with minimal risk of COVID-19 transmission.”

“But if I had to design an activity for children that might be safe during a pandemic, I’m not sure that I could do a better job than trick-or-treating. It’s outside. It can be socially distanced. The food is individually wrapped (before anyone partakes, parents can wipe the candies down while kids wash their hands). It’s the one night a year when kids will not argue at all about wearing masks.”

“Much of the way we have traditionally celebrated Halloween might accommodate reasonable COVID-19 precautions.”

“Keeping a sense of normalcy around holidays will bring a level of joy and excitement that kids haven’t had in a long time and need now more than ever.”

“Holidays help us maintain our sense of rituals and ‘normalcy’ during a not-so normal time. Whatever we can do to keep holiday celebrations and traditions at least partially intact — while remaining safe — serves as a guidepost or compass during these turbulent times.”

“I don’t want to say that trick-or-treating should be completely canceled. It’s something that communities are going to have to weigh community by community, and that families are going to have to weigh family by family.”

“Get creative and encourage your child to think about how their face mask can be part of their costume. Opt for a mask that matches the costume’s style, or have them pick a costume where a face mask is an essential part – like a doctor or a ninja. And as long as your child can still see and breathe fine and there’s plenty of ventilation, you can layer a Halloween mask over a cloth face mask.”

“So that’s sort of a backdrop so I think from a public health point of view where we always want to help families address opportunities to find other ways to celebrate it and, you know, the risks associated with that.”

 “I can’t say that trick-or-treating is lost this year. I think there are ways to do it safely.”

“Halloween is happening in New York City and it’s going to be safe!”

“We received many questions about Halloween. We’re not attempting to cancel this event. I’m not really sure that it would be possible to cancel such an organic event as that.”

“This year more than ever it is important to celebrate Halloween safely and responsibly. We are making sure that children and adults that want to enjoy Halloween can do so without putting themselves or their community at risk.“

“Get creative and have a fun and safe Halloween.“

“For such a traditional experience of Halloween, I have all the confidence that our community will watch out for each other and maintain that families and children can have a safe activity.”

“This is probably one of the biggest events besides Christmas in the country for both children and adults, and people love Halloween, they love having a good time, and I just don’t want to take that away from them.”

“Even a pandemic can’t cancel Halloween— in fact, it’s the only day of the year we were expected to wear masks before this crisis started. Be safe, practice physical distancing, and get creative about how you celebrate with your kids this year.”

“Let’s talk about something a little lighter because I’m going to make a case. Halloween is a few weeks away – CDC says there’s a safe way to celebrate, recommending that trick-or-treating be limited to individually wrapped goodie bags. Well, clearly as parents, we know that. I think it’s a great idea! People keep talking about canceling Halloween. Don’t do that to the kids because they may not have Thanksgiving with the family – this is one of the few times they can actually go outside with a different kind of mask on, and you as the adult can help them navigate. I feel safe going with Charli [Golderg’s 6-yr old great-granddaughter] to trick-or-treat.”

“When it comes to the holidays, most Americans will be in the same boat. Halloween may be just fine: Some health departments have advised against it, but trick-or-treating is a largely outdoor event, many costumes come with masks of their own, and fomite transmission (where the virus is contracted by touching inanimate objects like plastic pumpkins) is much less of a concern than scientists originally thought. With the right precautions (maybe skip the haunted house), it should be safe to ring those doorbells.”

“Coronavirus doesn’t have to cancel Halloween. People are brainstorming safe trick-or-treat alternatives.”

“Will Halloween 2020 have to be canceled? The answer, happily, is no — if we adopt the right precautions and the right attitude.”

“Halloween will undoubtedly be different this year, but there are still plenty of fun ways to celebrate.”

“It’s finally on a Saturday this year, and kids have suffered enough during the last few months. I think it’s smart if neighbors just leave out candy instead of opening the doors, but if not, my kids will have masks on and I don’t see how it’s any different than going and buying candy from a grocery store.”

“Even if Halloween’s typical trick-or-treating is off the table for your family this year, it definitely doesn’t mean this holiday is canceled. It’s okay to still celebrate! And there are so many ways to make it fun, and safe, for the kids. What if you planned to celebrate throughout the whole month of October? It can be a whole season, not just a single day. Plan a few celebrations to spread it out and make the whole season memorable for the kids!”

“We started to learn that Halloween [was] going to look different for people across the country, and we wanted to meet people where they are, providing a safe experience no matter how people choose to celebrate.”

“I think people will be cautious, but they will go out and have fun. There is a lot of excitement, so I’m optimistic.”

“Allow me assure you: Halloween is NOT canceled. Dressing up in costumes is not canceled. Enjoying a favorite treat is not canceled. Fall fun is not canceled. In 2020, every community is going to celebrate differently. Even if trick-or-treating is off the table for some, there are still plenty of fun and unique approaches to enjoying the Halloween season in a way that works for all families and keeps them safe. I know that right now many people are asking themselves, “Will Halloween be canceled?” To the contrary, I answer: Halloween is happening – and our creative celebrations are just getting started.”