Will Your Kids Trick Or Treat For Halloween 2021? IL Patch Survey

ILLINOIS — From Halloween to Thanksgiving to Christmas, holidays are back on for 2021, especially if you're vaccinated, according to Illinois and U.S. health officials. But that doesn't mean families shouldn't take precautions to keep adults and kids safe as COVID-19 continues to spread.

Last week, the Illinois Department of Public Health released its guidance for Halloween 2021, giving kids the green light to trick-or-treat, but stressing that precautions still need to be taken — and saying no, that costume mask is NOT sufficient to protect kids from COVID-19.

• Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas In IL: See Latest CDC Guidance

That's especially true since kids under age 12 still can't get vaccinated — although that could change in a matter of weeks.

According to the state health department, "A costume mask is NOT a substitute for a well-fitting mask to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Wearing a costume mask over a face covering to prevent the spread of COVID-19 is not recommended because it could make breathing more difficult. Safer options include choosing a costume that does not come with a costume mask, or find a costume that incorporates a face covering."

• Halloween COVID-19 Precautions: IL Offers Trick-Or-Treating Tips

But that doesn't mean there's not still fun to be had, especially outdoors, and kids are urged to trick-or-treat outside in small groups.

"Although we're still in the pandemic, this Halloween and Fall festivities season will look a little different than last year thanks to the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines that are readily available," IDPH director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said.

Health officials also urged parents to partake in outdoor fall fun such as open-air haunted houses, hayrides, pumpkin patches, apple orchards and more. You can check out the Chicago area's best haunted yards with some help from Patch's 2021 tour o' spooky yards.

• Best Chicago-Area Pumpkin Patches And Corn Mazes 2021
• Apple Orchards In The Chicago Area: Fall 2021 Guide
• Illinois Haunted House Guide 2021

Last year, more than 3,400 Illinois Patch readers weighed in on Halloween, and a plurality of those who responded — 47.3 percent — said their kids would be trick-or-treating as usual, but many expressed safety concerns. Another 40 percent said they wouldn't be sending their kids door to door due to the coronavirus pandemic.

With many Illinois adults and teens vaccinated this year, Patch is asking once again: Will your kids partake in trick-or-treating for Halloween 2021?

Note: The survey is not meant to be a scientific poll, with random sampling and margins of error, but is meant only to gauge the sentiments of our readers in an informal way.

Take Patch's survey here: