Halloween // Dealing With Halloween Candy and Trick-or-Treaters This Year

Even though Halloween is months away, it'd be foolish to assume that the cultural changes concerning protection from COVID-19 wouldn't still be in effect. The reality is this will be an issue for years to come and we must adapt. People on both sides of the door will be wary of infection and need to protect themselves, and I'm wondering if candy companies will take that into consideration with their packaging. This also raises questions about how we should interact with trick-or-treaters -- assuming there will be any.

If things go well, and there is some level of trick-or-treating happening this season, then the way treats are handled must be changed. I imagine that pre-packaged factory sealed candy bags would be the safest option for distribution and I hope candy companies do something like this. But face-to-face interactions with t-r-t's should be minimized, as unfortunate as that sounds.

Should we rely on an honor-system style bowl or table? It could still be overseen by household members at a reasonable distance. But that has issues as well; what if kids sneez, cough, or handle the candy?

I'm also considering some sort of dispensary chute. I still feel that interpersonal interaction with t-r-t's is necessary, just distanced by a gate or counter-top style barrier. And parents should see that gloves and masks are worn by those dispensing the candy -- with a costume layer of course, unless we all want to dress as doctors this year. ;)

Or perhaps we completely forgo candy this year and focus on non-consumables or just a fun display for viewing. I'll be doing that regardless.

Has anyone else put constructive thought into this? I'd like to know.