Will a Halloween Mask Protect You From COVID?

New U.S. CDC guidelines are out with recommendations for spring and summer holiday celebrations — including Halloween. Many of the recommendations will sound familiar: Indoor gatherings are generally more risky than outdoor gatherings. The longer the duration and bigger the group of people, the higher the risk. Travelling is riskier than keeping it local. But if you do decide to take the kids trick-or-treating this Halloween, the CDC has offered some guidelines about masks.

Specifically, the CDC says you should not use costume masks in place of cloth masks — and using both could be dangerous:

• Do not use a costume mask (such as for Halloween) as a substitute for a cloth mask unless it is made of two or more layers of breathable fabric that covers your mouth and nose and doesn’t leave gaps around your face.
• Do not wear a costume mask over a cloth mask because it can be dangerous if the costume mask makes it hard to breathe. Instead, consider using a Halloween-themed cloth mask.

The CDC also recommends several other lower-risk alternatives for celebrating Halloween, including:

• Carving or decorating pumpkins
• Planning a Halloween scavenger hunt in the neighbourhood or within the home
• Hosting a virtual costume contest
• Having a family Halloween movie night

Also, remember that any health recommendations are meant to supplement, not replace, any local safety laws, rules or regulations that you must comply with.