No trick-or-treating is ‘what’s best for our family:’ Bradford family shifts traditions of Halloween

It used to mostly be on Oct. 31 that people would wear masks. But because of the COVID-19 pandemic, masks have become a part of daily life. 

The age-old tradition of trick-or-treating has taken a hit, just like most other things because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Bradford resident Gary Wise isn’t allowing his two young children to go trick-or-treating this year.

“We have decided not to participate in Halloween this year in a traditional sense,” he said.

Normally, Wise’s family are “exuberant” celebrators of the holiday but because of the contact with other people involved, they’ve decided not to go trick-or-treating this year. 

That doesn’t mean Wise’s family is staying home without acknowledging Halloween. They are heading to a cottage, decorating the cottage and going on a scavenger hunt while dressed in costumes.

Wise explained that the family made the decision to isolate because experts said that is the best thing to do. 

“Ultimately, there are people who know better than we do about these things,” he said. “It’s a civil (civic) duty as well as what’s best for our family.”

The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit is recommending that people, who do choose to trick-or-treat, avoid gatherings with people outside their household. They should stay home if feeling ill, only trick-or-treat outside, wear a face covering, not congregate or linger at doorsteps, avoid high-touch surfaces and objects, wash hands often and thoroughly or use hand sanitizer, not leave treats in a bucket or bowl for children to grab or consider using tongs or similar tools to hand out treats.

A costume mask is not a substitute for a face covering and should not be worn over a face covering as it may make if difficult to breathe, the health unit said.

Dr. Charles Gardner, medical officer of health, said at a media briefing that the “safest option” is not to participate in Halloween either by trick-or-treating or by providing candy.

“If you have concerns, in particular about your health and have risks factors that would put you at high risk, that would be all the more reason not to participate,” he said.

Halloween isn’t the only tradition that’s being affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. 

The Bradford branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has had to shift its service for Remembrance Day to invite-only. The Remembrance Day service usually garners a crowd of hundreds but the executive at the Legion was forced to make a decision to limit participants. 

Most of the wreaths will be laid out beforehand but a few from different levels of government and the Silver Cross Mother’s will be laid on Nov. 11 during the service. 

STORY BEHIND THE STORY: Reporter Laura Broadley heard different options about what people were doing for Halloween and wanted to find out how that was affecting Bradford West Gwillimbury.