Posted on: October 30th, 2020

From Chrissy

Gold Hill Trick or Treating 2020

Hello, GH Residents,

As you may have heard, the Gold Hill School is currently quarantined due to a case of covid-like symptoms in one household. Due to evacuations, this family has not been in Gold Hill since Oct. 16th. This morning, the family got their negative covid results back. The Covid tests from various other families that have taken tests and received results have all come back negative at this point as well, including the teachers. Even with negative results, we’re all asked to quarantine until Nov. 7th, and we may return to school on Tuesday, Nov. 10th.

Which leads us to Saturday- Halloween. Many students have received their covid test results, or will by tomorrow. Many parents are feeling their children can still participate in trick or treating safely. Many residents have expressed their desire to move forward with trick or treating activities, both during the last town meeting, as well as since the GHS closure began. All that said, please consider the CDC recommendations for trick or treating this year:

https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/daily-life-coping/holidays.html#halloween

https://bouldercolorado.gov/newsroom/family-friendly-halloween-events-in-boulder

As you know, our trick or treating numbers are always rather small. With no Halloween parties attracting outside guests, our numbers should be even smaller than usual. We aren’t talking about the mobs of children we see in Boulder. Still, many residents plan to follow the following CDC guideline:

Line up individually wrapped treats at the end of the driveway or yard’s edge. Watch the fun and enjoy the costumes from a distance.
If you are preparing goodie bags, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 second before and after preparing the bags.
A costume mask (such as for Halloween) is not a substitute for a cloth mask. A costume mask should not be used unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers the mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around the face.

Setting out treats on a table by the road with a light on it for kids to grab as they walk by may be a safe alternative for our setting. Treats can be spread out to avoid digging hands into a common bowl. Residents can keep a distance from any passers-by.

If none of these solutions are comfortable for you, of course you do not need to accept trick or treaters. You can leave your porch light off and not set out treats.

Thank you all for your consideration.