By: Al’Janae Anthony, Contributing Writer
Candy, parties, costumes, and great memories are just a few of the escapades to look forward to on Halloween night. But this year, things may operate on a different scale.
Coronavirus has taken over people’s lives, requiring them to wear masks, social distance, and miss out on various plans people made for this year. A statement issued by the Center for Disease Control states that “Many traditional Halloween activities can be high-risk for spreading viruses.”
However, people have already begun to create their own Halloween plans, disregarding any guidelines put out by the CDC. Memes and posts have been circulating on social media and the internet with the idea of #SaveHalloween2020.
Halloween may be a holiday staple, but what will the festivities contribute to the pandemic?
These posts open up the conversation that the government does not control how one can celebrate holidays, urging people to go out and buy bags of candy to pass out to trick-or-treaters. Even though Halloween is one of the nation’s holiday staples, it may not be worth risking the potential spread of the virus.
Changes have been implemented to numerous activities that typically operate during the spooky season to protect individuals from contracting the virus. Haunted houses are one of these operations. Specifically, the famous Scream-A-Geddon in Dade City.
Scream-A-Geddon is a local Halloween scare attraction located about twenty minutes from University Campus, it invites customers in for scary haunted houses, spooky attractions, and monsters running around the park grabbing, lunging, and throwing themselves onto those who attend.
As listed on their website; Scream-a-Geddon will be limited to 50 percent of the park’s capacity, masks are required by staff when social distancing is not feasible, social distancing is not mandated but requested if possible by the customer, temperature checks are required, and hand sanitation is required prior to entering any attraction.
Halloween parties are still scheduled to occur, with children being put in vulnerable situations as it is very difficult to expect children to remain six ft apart while at a fun costume party.
These procedures seem precautionary, however, without proper social distancing, problems could arise leading to a surge in cases in the Pasco County area, especially if they continue to implement the idea of touching and interacting with customers.
Costume parties still remain, as numerous have been posted on eventbrite.com in the Tampa Bay area. For example, Glow in the Dark Halloween Party, an event for LaDee-Da Kids Spa, is still scheduled to go on as planned, requiring mask-wearing for adults and encouraging it for children. Space is limited to 12 children to corroborate with social distancing guidelines.
As fun as these events may sound, they could pose a health risk according to the CDC.
Regardless, Saint Leo students feel torn about the upcoming holiday and how it should be celebrated.
Drake Gibson, a freshman majoring in Bio Medical Health science, offered his take on what he believes should change as far as celebrating Halloween.
“Despite the college being a Christian college, I feel as if a lot of students that are living on campus are there for fun, and there’s nothing wrong with a bit of fun, once we adhere to the safety restrictions of COVID-19,” said Gibson.
The CDC advises that these activities are high-risk for contracting viruses.
Shayna Santo, a sophomore in the Social Work program followed with a few suggestions as to what campus life should look like for this upcoming holiday.
“I’d like to think that Halloween should be completely canceled but that would be unrealistic. I don’t think you can completely cancel the holiday, so there should be major restrictions,” said Santo.
Santo added, “I think the campus can still have regular Halloween fun with scary movies on the Bowl and candy with friends can still bring that same spooky fun feeling. Saint Leo should do a scary movie night with spread out seating on the lawn where you can eat candy and snacks with your roommates.”
With these opinions gathered, it’s clear that the student body is mixed on their opinions of Halloween on campus.
It also raises the question of what students can do as a campus to stay safe, have fun, and navigate COVID-19 safely.
The answer lies within the minds of the student body. First, practicing social distancing, wearing a mask around campus, and washing one’s hands frequently will ensure a safe, benign environment for on-campus students, staff, and faculty.
Keeping activities small and intimate would help prevent the spread. An alternative to Halloween parties would be hosting parties with immediate family or people someone interacts with, consistently.
Rather than participating in Trick-or-Treating, keeping kids inside with Halloween-themed games, movies, and activities are great ways to stay safe.
Lions must do their part to protect the pride and look with excitement towards the future.
