Salem Residents Split On Whether To Trick-Or-Treat In 2020

SALEM, MA —A holiday tradition is in jeopardy this year due to the coronavirus health crisis and Salem responders to a Patch-posed question about whether trick-or-treating should be held in 2020 drew a split response.

Parents were asked if they had started thinking about what Halloween will look like this year due to socially distancing and virus protocols, whether they will let their children got trick-or-treating if it is allowed and what precautions they will take if they do let the kids take part in the annual costume candy grab around the neighborhood.

"I think it should be canceled, as much as I love Halloween," one responder posted. "I'm not comfortable with my children going door to door."

"I'm not a parent, but I usually love handing out candy," another poster agree. "My place is going to be all shuttered up this Halloween, though. ... I just don't think it's safe for the kids or the adults. Unless everyone is going to be vaccinated before then, which at this point doesn't seem likely."

But some think smaller rounds can be done safely with candy either put out at a distance from the house, or believe the decision of whether to hand out candy — or allow children to go trick-or-treating — should be an individual choice and not dictated through a city mandate.

"I don't see a reason to cancel, it’s literally the only holiday where you are outside and spread out," a poster countered. "If you don't want to hand out candy, stay and inside and shut your lights. The rest of us will be out giving candy."

"I plan to put small bags of treats outside on a table so kids can take one and still be safe," another offered. "Ringing bells could be problematic if the homeowner is unmasked. I’ll sit outside at a safe distance to wave and enjoy the costumes."

One resident is even thinking about trying to get creative to make the most out of this Halloween if all the current guidelines remain in place.

"I think if neighborhoods could come together and find a middle ground it would be great," a poster said. "I wouldn't be opposed to setting up a little treat area where kids could grab their candy from the street and we could just wave and say 'Happy Halloween.' Also, one-way trick-or-treat signs could be helpful so everyone is walking the same way.

"I have kids and thought about making a little shoot from the window where they could drop candy down to passers by who could sanitize at the bottom n grab the candy. This could potentially be a really fun Halloween."

(To trick-or-treat or not to trick-or-treat? Head to Neighbor Posts and add to the conversation.)