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Saints!

Friday
March 29th, 2024

city of liberal logoELLY GRIMM • Leader & Times

 

The Halloween holiday might be more than a month away, but many communities are already making plans for that weekend. 

The holiday will be one of the major topics of discussion for the Liberal City Commission during its meeting tonight starting at 5:30. 

“As typical Halloween celebrations do not allow for minimizing contact with non-household members, it is important to plan early and identify safer alternatives,” guidelines from the KDHE noted. 

The guidelines specify activities that are not recommended, including gatherings, events, or parties with non-household members, and carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions. That list also includes the traditional door-to-door trick-or-treating. 

“It is very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors, ensure everyone (trick or treaters and residents of homes being visited) are properly wearing face coverings, and food sharing can be risky,” the KDHE guidelines noted. “With Trunk or Treating events, it is difficult to avoid crowding and sharing food at such events.”

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Among the recommended activities from the KDHE include Online parties or contests (e.g., costume contests, pumpkin carving), Halloween movie nights at drive in theaters, Halloween themed meals at outdoor restaurants, complying with restaurant protocol, Halloween themed art installations at an outdoor museum, complying with museum protocol, and dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed decorations. And while the KDHE does not recommend trick-or-treating or Trunk or Treat events, there are some guidelines people can follow if they partake in those activities. 

“Correctly wear a cloth face covering to prevent disease spread when outside your home and  incorporate face coverings into costumes,” the guidelines noted. “Face coverings should not be worn by children younger than 2 years old, anyone who has trouble breathing, and anyone who is otherwise unable to remove their cloth face covering without assistance. It is also recommended to carry hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol and use at regular intervals while outside the home. Also consider carrying sanitizing wipes to disinfect candy or other items accepted from homes. Or, sanitize items individually when you get home before consumption. Remember to also examine treats for choking hazards or tampering before eating them and accept only commercially packaged, non-perishable items while practicing physical distancing. For ‘Trunk or Treat” events, follow all guidelines above while also considering maintaining at least 6 feet of distance between yourself and other attendees as you walk around, and wait for others to depart a car/trunk before approaching.”

The KDHE also noted some guidelines for homes accepting trick or treaters.

“When answering the door or coming into contact with trick or treaters, correctly wear a cloth face covering,” the guidelines noted. Also, wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds at regular intervals or use hand sanitizer with at least 60 percent alcohol can be substituted if soap and water are not available. Also, regularly clean and sanitize frequently touched items such as door handles, door bells, and door knockers. Consider having sanitizing wipes by the door for quick access between trick or treaters. Distribute only commercially produced, non-perishable items to trick or treaters, and do not use grab bowls, where trick or treaters reach into a communal bowl to retrieve candy. Consider spacing items 6 feet apart on your porch, in your yard or on a table in your driveway with a sign advising trick or treaters to “Take 1”. Watch from a safe distance and replenish items as needed. Alternatively, make individual goodie bags for trick or treaters to pick up as they walk by. If your home has a fence, consider hanging individual goodie bags on the fence for trick or treaters to take as they walk by.”

In other business, the commission will also hear a presentation from the Focus on the Future Committee and will also have a discussion about a wastewater loan agreement. The commission will also be discussing the purchase of a disinfectant system for City Hall. 

“This system is designed to help eliminate sick building syndrome risks by reducing odors, air pollutants, and cold and virus-causing germs through a patent pending photohydroionization process,” the agenda information noted. “This is easily mounted into existing HVAC systems and with in operation, uses an advanced oxidation process to reduce airborne contaminants.”