Everything has looked a little different this year since COVID-19 swept across the globe. Gatherings have been limited to prevent the spread of COVID, which has made a lot of normal things hard to do. Coming into the holiday season, this will be especially true. In a holiday such as Halloween, finding something safe to do can be hard. In a college town like Springfield, there will be no shortage of things to do. However, some of those things might not practice safe social distancing to help stop the spread.

In an article published by the CDC, safe practices and alternatives for this spooky holiday were listed. In addition to the now normal frequent washing of hands, wearing masks and staying at least six feet apart, some other ideas included incorporating a cloth mask into a costume and setting up a station with premade sacks of candy for trick-or-treaters.

“Hide Halloween treats in and around your house. Hold a Halloween treat hunt with household members. Hold an outdoor costume parade,” listed the CDC website.

These ideas can be translated to college students as well. The CDC recommends hosting outdoor gatherings as opposed to indoor ones, and the number of attendees should be limited. Whether planning your own event or attending one, be aware of any health risks at the location and who you’re around.

For a safe alternative here on campus, the Student Union Board is hosting a Halloween event on the night of Oct. 31 from 7-9 pm.

“The event is going to be all encompassing over the top floor of the FSC. It’s going to be a kind of trick or treating except all within the halls, so this time not in the residence halls but instead the top floor of the FSC,” said Drury junior Corbin Tarr, who serves on the executive board of SUB.

Clubs from around Drury’s campus will set up booths with candy, and attendees can wear costumes if they choose to. Some other parts of the event include giveaways and a costume contest. SUB will be taking temperatures at the door, and the tables will be spread out for social distancing. There will also be a seated, craft activity distanced for safety.

If not being around people at all is more your thing, another alternative could be stocking up on candy, putting on a costume and watching a Halloween movie, either scary or more family friendly, from the comfort of your own home. 

It can be hard in this new normal to find things to do when we’re so used to how we’ve celebrated in the past, but there are still fun things to enjoy during this Halloween season.