As Halloween quickly approaches, so does all of the buzz and excitement that comes with it. The only issue is, what will Halloween look like this year with the COVID-19 pandemic? 

As the numbers rise and the delta variant emerges, so do parents’ concern for their children this Halloween. Although vaccines are readily available, not every parent or person has made the decision to vaccinate themselves and their children. 

“My kids are young, and healthy, and for one they are vaccinated, but they’re kids and we should let them be kids,” said Kelly Simon, English teacher. 

Although the vaccine does prevent people from getting COVID-19, it does not eliminate the possibility of contracting the disease. 

“With any kind of get together there is going to be a little bit of a spike,” Simon said. “They’re interacting with each other already, they’re getting together on weekends already, so how is halloween going to be any different? They are already working, they’re already getting together with their friends, they’re already hanging out together. I just don’t see a big change.” 

With all of the recommended precautions and CDC guidelines that have been in place for months, everyone is trying to be as responsible as possible and in doing so, have put their lives on pause. 

“[Kids have] had enough limitations and [COVID-19 is] not going away; we’re going to have to learn to live with it,” Simon said. “I don’t think COVID is going to go away. I think it’s going to be like the flu and it’s going to be something that as a society we’re going to have to live with and move forward.” 

COVID-19 has consumed everyone’s lives for over a year now, and there is no telling when it will end. 

“I am not as worried because I know with the vaccine, COVID would most likely not land me in the hospital and rather act like a bad cold, and if I feel the need, I can always just leave a bowl of candy outside the door for trick or treaters so there is no contact,” said Emma Nelson, junior.

Although many people are vaccinated, there are still exceptions that put people at risk, like those who are unvaccinated, but Halloween is a predominantly outside holiday, as trick or treaters do not often go inside. 

“There might be an uptick in cases for young adults as they are the ones most likely to go to large gatherings inside. Other than that, I think that people being outside for the majority of the night will be a good way to stay safe,” Nelson said. 

People do not always follow the CDC guidelines, which may cost many lives. 

“The worst part of COVID is over, and the restrictions are relaxed, I think it would be easier for [COVID] to spread around again, especially on a holiday like Halloween. Hopefully those who are at the highest risk will take more caution this year, and those [who are] unvaccinated will not act thoughtlessly,” Nelson said. 

Although mass gatherings are super spreaders, one would hope that society as a whole has enough common sense to avoid at-risk situations, and take as many precautions as needed so we can all go back to normal. 

“I think that if we use common sense to drive our actions, we will be okay,” Nelson said.