Anonymous wrote:We live in Alexandria. The city and health department have recommended against any form of TOT - even with masks, social distancing and one-way TOT that the CDC provided guidelines on. We are not planning to have our kids go TOT but it seems the neighborhoods are gearing up for TOT. And DH seems to always have a (not unfounded) fear that our house will be egged or the screen door will be kicked in if we do not provide treats. So, my thought for now is for us to stay inside, set out goody bags on folding chairs spaced out on the lawn, provide plenty of hand sanitizer, and from time to time replenish the goody bags as they are taken. Does this sound reasonable?

So has the DC government. Or more specifically, they label it moderate risk. So, of course, I read it as "recommended against", but all the 2020 YOLO parents who cannot fathom their kids missing ONE Halloween, read it as "safely" (see the post above "moving forward" with "not-rocket-science decision" to "keep the [day of the dead] alive." "safely."

We live in Alexandria. The city and health department have recommended against any form of TOT - even with masks, social distancing and one-way TOT that the CDC provided guidelines on. We are not planning to have our kids go TOT but it seems the neighborhoods are gearing up for TOT. And DH seems to always have a (not unfounded) fear that our house will be egged or the screen door will be kicked in if we do not provide treats. So, my thought for now is for us to stay inside, set out goody bags on folding chairs spaced out on the lawn, provide plenty of hand sanitizer, and from time to time replenish the goody bags as they are taken. Does this sound reasonable?

Anonymous wrote:Well Trump was tested several times a day and he's in the hospital. I would take my cue from this and so will those parents with functioning brains.

You must have posted on the wrong thread. No one said anything about testing before ToT. People are talking about following public health experts' guidelines of social distancing and masking. Trump didn't follow those and he has COVID.

Well Trump was tested several times a day and he's in the hospital. I would take my cue from this and so will those parents with functioning brains.

Anonymous wrote:Yes on ToT, no on the usual big party. I'm surprised this is really a question.

One of the reasons ToT can be safe is because many people won't do it. Some people deciding to be more conservative is what allows others to be more risky.

Our neighborhood is moving forward. We have an active list serv and a committee that plans events throughout the year. We agreed to keep ToT on, safely. People will put candy on tables or chairs in front of their house, and can watch kids parade by safely from their porches. As always, families who don't want to participate....won't.

It's not rocket science. Everyone is outside, we are a big mask community anyway, and people aren't encouraged to get together in groups to ToT as they've done in the past. You can easily do this safely. I am sure we won't be out as long as in year's past, but at least we can keep some of the tradition alive.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But we aren’t under stay at home orders. In VA we are in phase 3. Our virus spread is really low.

It’s not Halloween. Wait to see what happens after Labor Day, colleges coming back, etc.

So, this post didn't age well. No labor day or college surges. Somehow things are still trucking along. There will most certainly be trick or treating. As with any year, no one is forced to participate.

I'm convinced the parents willing to "skip a year or two" have toddlers or teenagers.

What? There have been a ton of college surges. Colleges are closing and sending kids home.

I’m doing ToT with my kids but your first statement is ridiculous.

Anonymous wrote:We have this really cool spider web decoration so I'm going to see if we can pin candy to it for socially distance candy distribution (backup plan would be putting out a bowl of candy and only putting in a little bit at a time so that way one stinker can't ruin it for everyone else)

This is my plan as well. 200 clothespins and two giant webs from Target already acquired, tested, and ready to go.

Remember to inspect all your kids candies before letting them eat any.

We have this really cool spider web decoration so I'm going to see if we can pin candy to it for socially distance candy distribution (backup plan would be putting out a bowl of candy and only putting in a little bit at a time so that way one stinker can't ruin it for everyone else)

Yes on ToT, no on the usual big party. I'm surprised this is really a question.

We will have a table with treats on it and decorations, but will be staying inside. It's not a big deal.

This is the hill I will die on this year. My 7 year old loves Halloween more than Christmas. She has been looking forward to this for months. She started talking about her costume in March.

That said, we want to be safe. We'll mask up and take plenty of hand sanitizer. Will stay away from other groups of trick or treaters.

I can't decide if I'm just gonna put ziploc baggies full of treats on a table near my front door while my kid and I are out or if I'm going to impale the treats on skewers and put them around my lawn? Either way, keep your lights off, haters, we're doing this!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But we aren’t under stay at home orders. In VA we are in phase 3. Our virus spread is really low.

It’s not Halloween. Wait to see what happens after Labor Day, colleges coming back, etc.

So, this post didn't age well. No labor day or college surges. Somehow things are still trucking along. There will most certainly be trick or treating. As with any year, no one is forced to participate.

I'm convinced the parents willing to "skip a year or two" have toddlers or teenagers.

Anonymous wrote:Halloween has been cancelled by local authorities. But Governor Hogan will weigh in promptly.

Where do you live?