Let the Kids Trick or Treat on Halloween [OPINION]

Halloween is just less than three months away. You'd think it was next week by the displays that have popped up in some retail stores already. And already, the debate has begun over whether to ban trick or treat because of the pandemic.

I say, let the kids trick or treat. So far, 2020 has been the worst year probably ever to be a kid and now some dopey grown-ups are insisting that trick or treating should be canceled. Bah, humbug!

We took our kids out of school and away from their friends for months. We banned swings at the parks, then made kids wear masks everywhere they went. The festivals, fairs, and carnivals were all canceled. Camps were closed and kids' sports delayed until July. When does the bamboo shoot torture begin?

And now some folks want to cancel trick or treating? Heck no!

Parents can regulate how far their kids are allowed to wander on Halloween night and should inspect any treats that are collected. But for the love of all that is sacred, we've got to let the kids have some fun this year. Let the kids trick or treat.

Halloween is a perfect fit for the COVID crowd because masks are a part of the whole thing already. Imagine, an event that kids can enjoy that celebrates the wearing of masks. It's perfect!

For those who might be a little shy about having potentially infected kids coming to their door on Halloween night, be creative. Place treats in a bowl on a table away from the door. Use the honor system. Heck, Charlie Baker is using the honor system for his quarantine order; it can work for doling out Halloween candy, too.

Before we begin debating antibody tests for Santa and his reindeer, let the kids have some fun on Halloween. Let the kids trick or treat.

Barry Richard is the host of The Barry Richard Show on 1420 WBSM New Bedford. He can be heard weekdays from noon to 3 p.m. Contact him at barry@wbsm.com and follow him on Twitter @BarryJRichard58. The opinions expressed in this commentary are solely those of the author.