[beckybac]

Will you keep your child away from trick or treating from fear of getting the swine flu??
Lots of hands dipping into the same candy bowl, the actual person giving candy having the swine flu etc.
Just curious.

[sar1]

Good question. At this point I'm carrying more Purell wipes than cash in my purse! We're probably not going door-to-door anyway (there are lots of other activities around here that day), but I'll be on wipe-down alert no matter what we do.

[no8fann]

We live in a small town ~4,600 people. Swine flu has been making the rounds for the last 2 weeks here. At this point, if you live here, you have been exposed. The community is not changing the calendar of events - Halloween parade, downtown trick-or-treat, community Halloween party - because of it. If you (or your child) are actively sick, you are being asked not to participate.

I have had it (still trying to shake the end of it), dd has had both her flu shots (we were lucky enough that the ped gave her the shot when I asked for it at her annual exam this week) and has not been sick.

Our Halloween will proceed as planned unless dd for some reason gets sick.

[beckybac]

I have actually considered skipping trick or treating door to door this year. My 4 yr old will be so dissapointed but i prefer for her not to get ill.

I am also wondering if i am over reacting since she is in contact with people when we go shopping, eating out etc.
I also have kids in school too so there is contact there also.

[mtdt3237]

They've probably already been exposed... You can run but you can't hide!

[sar1]

It's hard b/c you count on people keeping their infected kids or themselves at home or limiting their exposure for the sake of everyone else, but there are so many people who just won't. They won't want their kids to miss out or if they're sick they think their kids shouldn't be punished so they'll take their contagious families out anyway. I wonder if they even think about the people they're infecting who might have a newborn at home, or are in regular contact w/an elderly person. Yes, I recently had an incident w/a person like this. It's very selfish, IMO.

[Momma D]

We are proceeding as usual with trick or treating. The kids can't live in a bubble and if you go to the store, school church then your exposed.

[momster4de3]

Since I hand the candy out to the kids (given the H1N1 it's really a good idea not to let kids touch the candy in the bowl), this year I've decided it's best to dress up as a doctor or nurse with a mask and latex gloves -- no germs that way!!

[babyboy2]

oh man if we skip trick or treating.. i will have a very disappointed 5 year old. He has been counting the days till Halloween. I guess we will just be extra careful.

[sar1]

Maybe I should hand out purell wipes instead of candy?

[preciousgirl1120]

We're still going trick or treating. Will be carrying hand sanitizer with me.

[BrendaS104]

It's a good year to dress your kids up as doctors... complete with latex-free gloves and face mask.

[kimmyann123]

im still going to take dd, she had her h1n1 nasal mist today,theres over 20 schools around us closed due to h1n1, but not in our town,so hoping it will be all gone by halloween...

[Alexdur85]

No way!! My daughter isn't even 2 yet so she wouldn't miss it but it's one of my favorite holidays!

I wouldn't keep her from the park, or her play groups, or gymboree I'm not going to keep her away from trick or treating.

In my opinion it's just the illness of the year.. something else will come next year that will make swine flu sound like the sniffles.. just like west nile and everything else.

[joshmamabear]

Good food for thought. We might change our plans of going door 2 door because we've already promised DS way before all this swine flu scare . DH is taking a day off to do Trick or Treat but with a lot of sick people everywhere, we may drive around , look at halloween decors and see other kids and then have our own game of trick or treat while giving DS candies. He doesn't really like eating them, its just the thrill of getting them that he's after.

[050303033005]

I'm a teacher, we have a 1st grader and a preschooler. We're already bringing home germs from 3 different schools. I'm not worried one bit.

[beckybac]

Originally Posted by 050303033005

I'm a teacher, we have a 1st grader and a preschooler. We're already bringing home germs from 3 different schools. I'm not worried one bit.

Just have to say......... your user name is interesting !
It probably have a meaning right?

[loveisnear]

I feel like that you shouldn't cancel Trick or Treating. I'm under the impression that most flu germs travel through the air. I also read that young children can excrete (can't think of a better word)the virus for 2 to 3 weeks. I think that kids could just as well come in contact of swine flu 'germs' at school, in the store, church, or anywhere. Or what about checking your mail, pumping gas, eating at a restaurant, etc? We wouldn't go that far to ban those things would we? We can't stop living and be shut in our houses all day.
This is just my opinion. Please do not think I am trying to offend anyone. That's not the case at all.. just offering a different perspective.
I certainly hope kids come and trick or treat at my house. I have put hours into decorating and am going to live off of kids' joy since I am too old to trick or treat myself. Plus, I have tons of pencils, cups, and coloring books to give away from the last month at Wags.

[Lovessuperdoubles]

Originally Posted by momster4de3

Since I hand the candy out to the kids (given the H1N1 it's really a good idea not to let kids touch the candy in the bowl), this year I've decided it's best to dress up as a doctor or nurse with a mask and latex gloves -- no germs that way!!

OMG I actually thought about this too!!!

And I love handing out candy but Im almost afraid to do it b/c of the risk!

Im only letting mine go to people we know and thats it.

[stefani1]

Didn't even think about it really. I have an almost 2 1/2 year old and a 3 month old. I just feel like there aren't any more germs trick or treating than at the store or playground or whatever. Just be careful as I would anyway. This holiday is a kids holiday - can't keep em locked up. I think it's safer to be outside trick or treating than inside in a halloween party or something. I think everyone will do what they feel is best for their family!

[Alexdur85]

I am going to count how many people dress up as nurses and doctors..

[bennyrn12]

This thought hadnt even crossed my mind, the only thing I am worrying about with halloween is snow! H1N1 is the fad of the year. Im not going to limit my kids fun (they are almost 3 and 16 months) because of a media hype. Practice good hand hygine, cover your coughs and sneezes and enjoy the holiday!

[coupondiva55]

If the person going door to door has the swine flu they should be in bed, but this would be a good time to go dressed as a dr with a mask and all...this should be the must popular custom or MJ with a mask to keep the germs away...!! I will not be taking my kids, but will pass out the candy. We had the swine flu in our house back in August '09. But we will still use lots of hand sanitizer after each "distribution." Good question!! Thanks!

[ver1234]

My kids would be so upset! They missed last year because DH and I had to work and my sitter was sick so the kids were stuck with Great Grandma.

[mlb1985]

Who cares, I think We have already Had it anyway.
Dr Treated DS like he did. It wasnt that bad (for him at least)
Unless You or You children Have Asthma or Lowered Immune systems It isnt as severe as everyone makes It out to be.
Even IF your REALLY careful, Consider when We go shopping, Each Product You touch COULD have been touched by someone who had it and You've probably already had It.

But Its up to Each person to Make an Informed decision on Their Own children.
Good Luck to All and have a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!