Since trick or treating is not recommended this Halloween, parents will be looking for safe, but still spooky, ways to create a fun and memorable holiday. Children may be disappointed, but there are lots of fun possibilities. Consider involving your children in the planning to add to their enthusiasm for the holiday.
Here are some ideas of ways to celebrate safely:
- Host an online costume contest with friends and family both near and far away. (Governor Kate Brown is hosting one on her Facebook page using #SpookySafeOregon. Make sure you include a face covering!)
- Watch a scary Halloween movie online.
- Carve pumpkins with members of your household.
- Have a neighborhood jack-o’-lantern contest.
- Tour a neighborhood yard and home displays with household members.
- Decorate your house, apartment or living space.
- Make your own Halloween candy or caramel apples.
- Have a Halloween scavenger hunt in or around your home.
Remember that the safest activities are celebrating with members of your own household. If you gather with people outside your own household, you can decrease the risk by being outside, maintaining at least six feet of distance, and wearing a mask.
Oregon Department of Human Services: You Are Not Alone
We know that for many people in Oregon, physical distancing creates increased concerns, but there is help. The Oregon Department of Human Services (ODHS) has created the You Are Not Alone website to provide resources for those at risk of harm due to isolation during COVID-19.
All resources offer translation services and are confidential.
ODHS provides direct services to more than 1 million Oregonians each year, helping Oregonians achieve well-being and independence through opportunities that protect, empower, respect choice and preserve dignity.
In case you missed it, ODHS also has a new Facebook page. You can share this new page with your friends, family and neighbors so they can stay up to date on human services in Oregon, too.
Oregon reports 288 new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases, no new deaths
The state’s death toll from COVID-19 is unchanged and remains at 572, the Oregon Health Authority reported Monday October 5th.
OHA also reported 288 new confirmed and presumptive cases of COVID-19, bringing the state total to 35,049.
The new confirmed and presumptive COVID-19 cases reported are in the following counties: Benton (2), Clackamas (25), Columbia (5), Coos (4), Deschutes (11), Douglas (2), Jackson (14), Jefferson (3), Josephine (6), Klamath (3), Lane (33), Linn (7), Malheur (8), Marion (52), Morrow (1), Multnomah (61), Polk (3), Umatilla (7), Wasco (1), Washington (35) and Yamhill (5).