Parents Wary Of Trick-Or-Treating Amid Pandemic: NC Patch Survey

NORTH CAROLINA — Celebrating Halloween amid a pandemic is a scary prospect, according to the majority of parents who weighed in on Patch's informal survey about trick-or-treating this year. The news comes as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued guidance urging families avoid trick-or-treating, which health officials have described as "high risk" during the coronavirus pandemic.

When it came to the idea of sticking with holiday traditions, readers were split. While 44.8 percent of those who responded said their kids will not be trick-or-treating, another 43.8 percent said they would be sending their kids door-to-door on Halloween. Nearly 12 percent of parents who responded said they aren't sure yet.

Parents overwhelmingly said their kids will wear a mask — and not the costume kind — while trick-or-treating, following the mask mandate that's been in place in North Carolina for months. Nearly 59 percent said their kids will wear a mask while about 28 percent said they won't.

SEE ALSO: Halloween In NC: Avoid 'High Risk' Trick-Or-Treating, CDC Says

Despite appearing to be in favor of trick-or-treating, parents admitted they are wary about the practice during coronavirus. About 43 percent said they are "very concerned" about allowing kids to go door-to-door during the pandemic, compared to about 32 percent who said they are not concerned at all. Another 26 percent said they are slightly concerned.

Fewer than half of those who responded to the survey — about 47 percent — said they plan to pass out candy on Halloween, while about 43 percent said they won't. Another 10 percent said they're not sure yet.

Most of those who responded — more than 47 percent — said the coronavirus will change the way their family celebrates Halloween, while about 42 percent said it won't. The holiday isn't for everyone, however. More than 11 percent said they don't celebrate Halloween at all.

With the CDC suggesting alternative celebrations this Halloween, here are some of the ways North Carolina Patch readers said they plan to mark the holiday this year:

• Distributing candy via grab-and-go goody bags
• Focusing on outdoor fall activities, such as pumpkin and apple picking
• Celebrating at home with immediate family only with pizza and candy for grandkids
• At-home Halloween movie night with treats
• Trick-or-treating throughout the house
• Candy hunt

"We will be donning fully masked and gloved costumes, observing social distancing by accompanying our kids to the doors, as well as refraining from group trick or treating parties," one reader wrote.

One reader has another plan: "turn off the lights and stay home."