We are approaching the biggest community holiday of the year for Garden City – Halloween. Last year was pretty subdued, with few trick or treaters in the middle of the big Covid surge. This year, case rates still remain high in Delaware County, but Covid spread is better understood and the most vulnerable members of our community are vaccinated now.

At the last school board meeting, the WSSD district nurse said that Chester County had guidance on trick or treating, but I have not found anything more recent than last year. The CDC has its latest holiday guidance here. This year, numerous outlets are reporting on the CDC director’s recent interview suggesting outdoor trick or treating should go ahead.

This year, the CDC doesn’t provide holiday-specific advice. However, CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky has said she thinks trick-or-treating can be done safely if kids stay outdoors and stick to small groups.

“If you’re able to be outdoors, absolutely,” Walensky told CBS’s “Face the Nation.”

So it looks like we’re in the clear to celebrate outside again. The forecast as of this morning looks promising for a great Halloween. It’s still a good idea to take some simple precautions – don’t have a big bowl that kids reach in, try to keep distanced, stay outdoors. Nothing drastic. I guess I missed my opportunity to build a candy catapult.

At the last school board meeting the district announced they are targeting Nov. 20th for the first Covid clinic. This is disappointing, as it means children will have little protection over the Thanksgiving holiday and still not be fully vaccinated in time for Christmas. The timing is terrible, but its unclear when federal regulators will give final approval for Pfizer for 5-11 year olds. I suspect many of us will have to seek out vaccinations elsewhere for our children.