COVID-19 and Holidays

Posted by Merry, Volunteer Mentor @merpreb, Oct 9, 2020

The first holiday to come upon us is at the end of this month. It is Halloween. This means lots of kids, who wear masks, who don't wear masks, who went back to school or who didn't. We live on a dead-end and really don't get a lot of kids unless they are accompanied by their folks. We also get older kids later on. I have to confess I have only thought about this once, but @bustrbrwn22 mentioned this in a post this AM. I think that it deserves its own discussion.

I don't think that we will be turning on our outdoor lights to welcome any tricks or treats. I will not be jeopardizing surviving 23 years of lung cancer to anyone if I can help it. I love and adore kids but they will have to do without my candy this year. I think that it is too risky for everyone.

I know that this sounds hard but the world has changed and we all have to adapt to it. What will you do about this holiday?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Post-COVID Recovery & COVID-19 Support Group.

@merpreb. As I said in previous post, we are going through a very trying time and people are adjusting to the best of their abilities without endangering anyone's well being. While I love seeing children in their creative Halloween costumes, unfortunately this year I will have to pass on handing out candies. Last year I didn't have one single visitor. Local churches and HOAs have been doing that for the last few years.
Thanksgiving is around the corner, usually this is my favorite holiday, and we have been going to my daughter's house for years. My son's family and my son in law's parents are there too. I'm not sure if, and that's a BIG if, we will have our gathering this year. I'm very sad about that. Usually I would go to my daughter's a few days before the holiday and come home with my son.
We're facing the same uncertainty about Christmas 😢😢 I can only hope 2021 would be a better year so we can catch up on the special days we miss this year.

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@merpreb, We just discussed this topic at our Toastmasters Zoom meeting this morning. Our club has always helped with a yearly "Trunk or Treat" event where kids could come to a specific location and people would pass out candy from the trunks of their cars. This year due to COVID they've made changes to continue while still being safe about it. I believe other cities have made similar plans. This information is from the Pine Island Chamber of Commerce site

https://www.pineislandmnchamber.com/ - Trunk or Treat
New this year: we are adopting a DRIVE THROUGH model for a safe Trunk or Treat event! Join us on Saturday October 31st in the 5-12 school parking lot. Cars will queue near the bus garages off 3rd Ave SE and a Goodhue County Deputy will direct traffic through the alley of decorated trunks. Kiddos are still encouraged to dress in costume, though we ask attendees remain in their vehicles.

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@mayofeb2020

@merpreb. As I said in previous post, we are going through a very trying time and people are adjusting to the best of their abilities without endangering anyone's well being. While I love seeing children in their creative Halloween costumes, unfortunately this year I will have to pass on handing out candies. Last year I didn't have one single visitor. Local churches and HOAs have been doing that for the last few years.
Thanksgiving is around the corner, usually this is my favorite holiday, and we have been going to my daughter's house for years. My son's family and my son in law's parents are there too. I'm not sure if, and that's a BIG if, we will have our gathering this year. I'm very sad about that. Usually I would go to my daughter's a few days before the holiday and come home with my son.
We're facing the same uncertainty about Christmas 😢😢 I can only hope 2021 would be a better year so we can catch up on the special days we miss this year.

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@mayofeb2020 - This is a dilemma that everyone will be facing to or not to.

@johnbishop- So you drive through and drop off candy?

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@merpreb

@mayofeb2020 - This is a dilemma that everyone will be facing to or not to.

@johnbishop- So you drive through and drop off candy?

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Just the opposite @merpreb. The little kiddies and their folks drive through and get candy from the chamber members and others helping in the event.

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@johnbishop

Just the opposite @merpreb. The little kiddies and their folks drive through and get candy from the chamber members and others helping in the event.

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So they don't get out of the car?

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@merpreb It has been a number of years since I turned on porch lights and gave out candy for Halloween. With my four dogs and the way the house is built, it is impossible to control the dogs and hand out candy to children. We actually don't have so many children coming buy any longer and so I've gotten used to simply turning out the lights and not answering the door. It is especially true this year with COVID 19 still prevalent. I chose safety over being nice.

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@merpreb

So they don't get out of the car?

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Nope...See the image in my post above - "Mask up! Kiddos will receive goodies from the comfort of adults cars this year. Particpating trunks will be spaced out and traffic will be directed through."

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@johnbishop- What an ingenious way to make the kiddies happy.

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@merpreb - Even the Rochester International Airport is getting in on the fun! Info from their Facebook page...https://www.facebook.com/events/3296145513773572/

RST invites families to dress up in costume, drive to RST and attend a fun, safe Halloween event taking place outdoors in the parking lot. Enter at the Main Terminal Entrance and follow signs to event.
- Airport Equipment on display
- Candy and other Giveaways
- Option to park and walk or stay in car and drive thru
- Please observe social distancing and only attend event with members of your household
- CDC recommends wearing a face mask (not just a costume mask)
- Stay home if you are feeling sick
- And Wash your hands!
In the event of inclement weather, please watch for updates on this event page.

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Yes, we were just discussing this. Usually we are in Texas, where we have a choice of drive-up trick or treating at our community gate (the kids do get out and show off their costumes) or trunk-or-treat at our church. Not sure what they are going to do this year as the county stay-at-home order will just be expiring of not extended again.
We think we will leave the lights off at home, but if the school near my daughter does a drive through trunk-or-treat like in John's area, we'll probably participate. Otherwise we'll have a bonfire at my daughter's with the little guys in their costumes...
Sue

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