The Grinch Who Stole Halloween – Doctor Levin nixes the holiday. Suggests watching Movies

By Debra Tash

Dr. Robert Levin, County of Ventura’s Health Officer, spoke at today’s Board of Supervisor’s Meeting. He addressed the County’s Guidance for the upcoming Halloween holiday.  Despite falling positive testing results, stable hospitalizations and what is a very low death rate for COVID 19, the doctor has issued a stringent edict when it comes to holiday fun for your families. 

Perhaps it is the fact that today the County reported ten (10) new cases (positive results from testing). That had to be what pushed us over the top. 

Here is what you are asked to avoid on October 31st, which is six weeks away.  

Not Permitted* (gatherings and events are not currently allowed under the Health Officer Order)

• Halloween gatherings, events or parties with non-household members are not permitted even if they are conducted
• Carnivals, festivals, live entertainment, and haunted house attractions are not
• Door to door trick or treating is not allowed because it can be very difficult to maintain proper social distancing on porches and at front doors, ensure that everyone answering or coming to the door is appropriately masked to prevent disease spread, and because sharing food is
• “Trunk or treating” where children go from car to car instead of door to door to receive treats is also not allowed, particularly when part of Halloween events, since it is difficult to avoid crowding and sharing

Received from Dr. Levin 9-16-20: “I changed the language this morning from Trick or Treating Not Permitted to Not Recommended.”

Levin’s office will allow such activities as decorating and watching movies.   Car parades, which apparently are also permitted, must done according to the rules set forth in the Guidance.  Don’t forget you are not allowed to get out of your car.

Permitted and Recommended 

• Online parties/contests (e.g. costume or pumpkin carving)
• Pumpkin picking at pumpkin patches (use hand sanitizer or wash hands with soap and water before and after)
• Car parades that comply with public health guidance for vehicle-based parades including:

1. Drive by events or contests where individuals dress up or decorate their vehicles and drive by “judges” that are appropriately physically distanced.
2. Drive through events where individuals remain in their vehicles and drive through an area with Halloween
3. Drive in events where individuals can receive a treat bag (limited to commercially packaged non-perishable treats) or take away item from an organizer while the participants remain in their vehicle.

• Halloween movie nights at drive in theaters (must comply with the public health drive in movie theater guidance).
• Halloween themed meals at outdoor restaurants (must comply with the restaurant protocol).
• Halloween themed art installations at an outdoor museum (must comply with the public health museum )
• Dressing up homes and yards with Halloween themed

Revised Guidance document: Interim Halloween Guidance Updated 9.16.20

It would seem that our health officials forgot the backlash their counterparts in Los Angeles County experienced when they attempted to impose a ban on trick-or-treating. From CNN:  Los Angeles backtracks on coronavirus trick-or-treat ban this

This fits into the same category of restrictions for the citizens of Ventura County as Dr. Levin’s order to rope off merchandise in area retailers.  This forced people to go over the county line to shop.     

This latest guidance from the county leaves us with one question, what are you thinking, man?

The views and opinions expressed in this commentary are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official position of Citizens Journal

Debra Tash is Editor-in-Chief of Citizensjournal.us, past president for Citizens Alliance for Property Rights, business executive and award-winning author, residing in Somis.

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