All The 'Safe' Fall Activities Look Lame To Me

The CDC has released a list of Halloween and Fall activities that are Lower, Moderate and, Higher Risk during the COVID-19 pandemic. I understand and appreciate the need to be safe and protect ourselves and I understand that some of you that read this will be upset that I'm complaining BUT tough! I love Halloween and I love the fall so when I see what is acceptable and what isn't I feel the need to complain!

Let's start with the "Lower Risk" Activities:

Carving or decorating pumpkins with members of your household and displaying them
Carving or decorating pumpkins outside, at a safe distance, with neighbors or friends
Decorating your house, apartment, or living space
Doing a Halloween scavenger hunt where children are given lists of Halloween-themed things to look for while they walk outdoors from house to house admiring Halloween decorations at a distance
Having a virtual Halloween costume contest
Having a Halloween movie night with people you live with
Having a scavenger hunt-style trick-or-treat search with your household members in or around your home rather than going house to house

So basically I enjoy a lot of these activities but asking me to sit home with the same people I've been stuck with since March and now you add in sharp objects to carve with could end poorly. Also, any use of the word "virtual" at this point causes my blood pressure to spike!

Moderate Risk Activities:

I can save you a lot of time by telling you Moderate Risk is basically the Lower Risk activities but outside of your house in socially distant wide open spaces. The word "virtual" is back a lot as well. Check the list HERE but I'm telling you it's not much better than Lower Risk.

Finally here's the Higher Risk Activities (AKA the fun stuff you look forward to every year):

Participating in traditional trick-or-treating where treats are handed to children who go door to door
Having trunk-or-treat where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots
Attending crowded costume parties held indoors
Going to an indoor haunted house where people may be crowded together and screaming
Going on hayrides or tractor rides with people who are not in your household
Using alcohol or drugs, which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors
Traveling to a rural fall festival that is not in your community if you live in an area with community spread of COVID-19

So no hayrides, haunted houses, trick or treating, OR DRINKING??? I'm about to have a very real and far from VIRTUAL meltdown. You know what? Just wake me up around Christmas, and so help me God if the CDC says Santa can't come to my house I'm going to sleep until Summer!

Okay, now that I got that out of my system I hope you all stay safe and find fall fun wherever you can. Happy Halloween everyone!