Trick-or-Treating sentiments in Findlay

City of Findlay to go forward with Trick-or-Treating

By Sadie Hill

hills3@findlay.edu

The City of Findlay is set to have trick-or-treating on October 29, 2020 amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents of the town have expressed their opinions and concerns surrounding the city’s decision to move forward with the event, but most of the thoughts on the matter seem to be in a positive light.

Findlay city resident Kelly Cheney is excited to take her children out this year for Halloween. Cheney and her kids will participate in going door-to-door for candy as well as passing candy out at their home. Cheney is looking forward to the event this year.

“We will be going trick-or-treating this year! However, we never go door-to-door for long because the experience we have passing out candy isn’t quite typical,” Cheney said. “I am super happy that my kids will have something fun to look forward to after this year of cancellations, postponements, and delays.”

Cheney explained that the number of trick-or-treaters in her area is usually very high.

“My girls actually love passing out candy and watching everyone come by more than they love going to different houses,” Cheney said.

Another Findlay city resident, Lisa Canterbury, has shared her uncertainty about this year’s trick-or-treating event. Despite Canterbury being concerned for the safety of the citizens, she acknowledges that getting out into the community will be a good thing for residents.

Josh Childs, an EMT at Hanco EMS, agrees with the city’s decision to go forward with trick-or-treating.

“I think it’s a good idea, especially with Hancock County still being at a level two. I feel like people can only be locked inside their houses and told that they can’t do stuff for so long before mental health issues spike,” Childs said. “I think it’ll be very good for the kids.”

Although Childs is looking forward to the event, he also strongly advises participants to follow city and state guidelines for social distancing and keeping clean. He recommends that every participant only go out with people in their family or household or friends that they are in close contact with. Although he believes COVID cases in the city might spike, he says that if everything is done correctly, it can limit the number of exposed people.

“When you’re going house-to-house you’re not at one house for very long, and when they’re doing the contact tracing now it’s for an exposure of more than five minutes without a mask on,” Childs said. “That counts as an exposure.”

Childs encourages residents to wear a mask and follow social distancing guidelines when around other members of the community.

The City of Findlay’s mandates for trick-or-treating fall closely in line with the rules set by the CDC. Rules for attending social events or gatherings set forth by the City of Findlay can be found here, and those set by the CDC can be found here.

If Hancock County reaches a level three or higher for COVID exposure, trick-or-treating will be canceled per the Ohio Public Health Advisory System. Information for the times and dates of each town’s event can be found by clicking here, or by visiting www.visitfindlay.com.

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