By Tallula Russell
2020 has been what the youth would call, a "big oof" so far, and it isn't really looking up, especially not for everyone's favourite time of year, Halloween. Coronavirus, otherwise known as Covid-19, has ravaged the planet and shut down day-to-day living in all walks of life. With just over 9,600 deaths, 187,000 cases, and 6 sustained months of quarantine in Canada, questions have been raised as to what the next steps will be. None, however, are more immediate than that of what to do about Halloween.
For teenagers and adults, the titular holiday consists of watching scary movies, going to haunted houses, costume parties, hanging out with friends, and, of course, candy. Many of these activities will be severely limited by federal and provincial regulations limiting the amount of people in an enclosed space at one time. According to Dr Bonnie Henry, British Columbia's Provincial Health Officer, in an order released on Friday October 9th, all banquet halls are to be closed for non-government or health-related reasons, all gatherings must be less than 50 people, and these people must be able to hold 2 meters of distance between themselves, among other health and safety requirements currently in action at almost any restaurant or grocery store in the province. In addition, venues can not offer alcohol past 10pm, and all members of the event, both guests and organizers, must leave the venue by 11. Given all these rules, and the need for social distancing, house parties seem to be the way to go. There are rules and stipulations in place for those as well, though.
According to the BC Center for Disease Control, parties shouldn't be held at all. But how likely is it that teens are going to listen to that declaration? Getting every student in just Howe Sound Secondary to cooperate would be like parting the red sea, and Mr. Pascuzzi would need the world's most convincing Moses costume for that. The BCCDC recommends gatherings with 6 or less people whom the host all knows that are held as outdoors as possible. A close-knit friend group going on a movie marathon, as long as they're all sitting far apart, would be fine. But, the BCCDC doesn't want people sharing food out of the same bowl. Single servings and personal plates seem to be the way to go. All in all, a Halloween barbecue with close friends seems like the safest option, but if a 15-year-old can grill, I'll eat my mask (assuming they'll cook it for me). But wait! What is the most popular outdoor Halloween activity that isn't even weird or new?
Trick-or-treating! In the same statement released by the BCCDC, they outline the best way for people to collect the candy they so desperately need to make it through this hellish year. Counterintuitively, costumes /without/ conventional Halloween masks are actually recommended as layering two masks could make it difficult to breathe. When going out with younger siblings, or simply with one's friends because they're 5"2' and pass as twelve, staying in small groups of 6 people maximum and giving lots of space for other candy-finding fiends is the best course of action. Staying in one's residential district is also recommended. For people stuck at home giving out the candy, the more distance between the giver and receiver, the better. Candy slides down railings, using tongs to hand things out, or even those little dinosaur-grabby things as well as staying outside to hand out candy so people don't need to touch the doorbell are all useful ideas. As always, wearing a proper medical mask when in contact with other people is a must, and highly recommended.
For Halloween this year, existential horror is in the air all around, quite literally. The best way to enjoy it is through the power of spook, and that can be achieved by parting in small outdoor groups, or going Trick-or-treating with caution and care for those around you. And remember! Scented smoke machines are the work of the devil, and not in a fun, scary way. Just an annoying one.