Don’t Try to Stop Halloween Trick or Treating for Kids [OPINION]

Halloween is a magical event for kids. It is also a great night for adults who get to hand out candy to kids and tell their parents how great the costumes look.

I don't want to get into a debate about the rights of human beings as defended by the Constitution of the United States. That would take all the fun out of Halloween. However, even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic we all have the right to visit our neighbors and the government has no right to stop us. They also have no reasonable way to enforce a ban on people walking down the street to visit the homes of people who want them to come by for a visit.

Obviously, everyone has to take their own personal safety into account as they decide what to do for Halloween. Nobody expects a person who is in a high-risk population to open their doors to kids. Sadly, there are some kids who have health issues and it makes sense for them to skip this year's door-to-door candy give out in order to be safe.

The show must go on for the rest of us. The kids will be wearing masks, the adults handing out candy will be wearing masks. This is the safest of all celebrations if you believe in masks.

Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker is leaving it up to cities and towns to decide what is best for their residents. Mayor Jon Mitchell of New Bedford has indicated that he is in favor of trick or treating at this time.

Everybody should mask up in the most entertaining way and let the kids be kids this Halloween.

Chris McCarthy is the host of The Chris McCarthy Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from 10 a.m. to noon. Contact him at chris.mccarthy@townsquaremedia.com and follow him on Twitter @Chris_topher_Mc. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.