WCAX.COM Local Vermont News, Weather and Sports-Swine Flu Won't Stop Halloween

Swine Flu Won't Stop Halloween

Burlington, Vermont - October 28, 2009

This Halloween it is not ghosts or goblins giving people the creeps, it is tiny little germs. The constant talk of swine flu has made this Halloween more terrifying than ever.

"I feel it's been pushed to the max where it's scaring people half to death," says Burlington resident Kim Mason.

But will it mean the death of the beloved tradition that is trick-or-treating?

"No I think we are just going to do what we were planning to do already and plan for normalcy and not worry about it too much," says Jonah Nolte.

While the swine flu, or any other germ, can be passed from child to child or child to adult as they move from house to house, health experts say the risk is low.

"We're not at all recommending that people stay indoors or stay away from others," says Vermont Sate Epidemiologist, Patsy Kelso.

Instead, doctors recommend the usual precautions - wash your hands and your children's hands when you get back from trick-or-treating, cough and sneeze into your arm, and if you are really worried you can carry Purell and use it in between homes.

"As long as you wash your hands and make sure you have your Purell handy you'll be all set," says Randi McCuin, a microbiologist who has no intention of changing her plans for Saturday.

It seems most people plan to stick with the hand washing and Purell method because even swine flu is not enough to stop the draw of a giant bag of candy.

"Our daughter is probably going to be going trick-or-treating so we'll just wash everything that's not wrapped and you know, hand sanitizer," says father Chris Distefano.

Doctors do say that if you are sick or feel like you might be getting the flu you should stay in and turn off your lights so you do not spread the virus to trick-or-treaters.

Of course there are a few ways to make the night safer that have nothing to do with swine flu:

• Carry a Flashlight
• Wear Reflective Clothing or Tie a Glowstick to Your Costume
• Never Eat Unwrapped Candy
• Never Eat Homemade Treats
• Do Not Go Into Any Houses
• Travel In Groups

Bianca Slota - WCAX News