Hawthorne Press Tribune
The Weekly Newspaper of Hawthorne
Herald Publications - El Segundo, Hawthorne, Lawndale & Inglewood Community Newspapers Since 1911 - (310) 322-1830 - Vol. 62, No. 44 - October 29, 2020
Local Business Creates Healthy
and Fun Halloween Treats
Halloween from front page
community groups and churches. Last week,
Fire Chief Chris Donovan acknowledged that
COVID fatigue is real, making people feel
restless and ready to return to normal life.
Donovan warned against complacency and
taking risks that could create a spike in cases
in El Segundo. Overall, residents and employees
at local companies that remain open have
flattened the curve as officials asked them to
do. Last week, there were seven active cases
in the city, requiring the patients to remain
quarantined until they test negative for the
virus. Since the pandemic began in March,
the city has had one death.
The fatigue described by the fire chief includes
the thought of giving up another holiday celebration
after the annual hometown July 4th and
nightly fireworks show was canceled for public
safety. Judging from some social-media messages
left over the weekend, some people are
reluctant to slam the door on a tradition they look
forward to annually. Keeping groups of kids six
feet apart on porches is admittedly difficult to do.
One resident on Concord Street said he had
1,200 visitors to his front door last Halloween.
If El Segundo residents defy the county’s recommendations
and word gets out, it could attract
significant numbers of trick-or-treaters from outside
El Segundo. One person said she liked seeing
the children in costume and noted that the county
only advises against handing out candy. “Nobody
is telling you what to do or not,” her post read.
There are some banned activities, along with
those the county Department of Public Health
says are to be avoided. All Halloween carnivals,
festivals and haunted houses are banned this
year. Live entertainment also made the list.
Trick-or-treating is listed under “Not Recommended”
because of the added responsibility
of ensuring everyone on the porch is masked.
Also, sharing food is risky and handing out
treat tends to attract crowds.
El Segundo will host numerous events that
comply with the county’s wishes for a safe and
socially distanced Halloween. And though it
won’t look the same (or feel the same from
inside a car), kids and their parents have trunkor
treats to look forward to, including one
Joslyn Center on the day of Halloween. For a
listing of events, check the city and Parks and
Recreation Department web sites.
“We ask everyone to exercise caution and
safe distancing while enjoying Halloween. Our
city staff has planned some incredible events
to enjoy the holiday in a safe environment,”
Mayor Drew Boyles said.
The Kiwanis and Rotary clubs, along with
the El Segundo Police Officer Association,
are converting a Santa’s Sleigh to the Great
Pumpkin and will deliver candy to children
curbside. The Giant Pumpkin will be driven
through neighborhoods. Children will need to
wait at the curb and stay socially distanced
unless they’re from the same household.
A candy drive hosted by the Bridge South
Bay church will adhere to the county’s recommendation
that prepackaged bags - and not
loose candy - be handed out. The “Candy Crew
Drive” will take place from 10 a.m. to noon
in front of Richmond Street School.
The fewer people you and your household
have in-person contact with, the lower your
risk of getting COVID-19, the county health
officials said. Limiting family celebrations to
two households and two hours are considered
best at this time.
Face covering still should be worn around
relatives who visit, and close contact should
be avoided, according to the pre-Halloween
bulletin. Anyone feeling sick or showing
symptoms should skip the party and stay at
home, according to county officials.
The Centers for Disease Control advises
people who decide to pass out candy prepare
bags and stand on the driveway to avoid crowds
on the porch. Wear a mask and avoid direct
contact with the little ghouls and goblins that
walk up the driveway. For children, their cloth
masks should be considered part of their costumes.
The CDC says that a Halloween mask
is not as safe as a face covering at preventing
airborne transmission of the virus. •
Kendollx Strawberries is creating “Spooky” arrangements for Halloween. What a fun, creative and healthy alternative to candy. Photo courtesy Kendollx Strawberries.