Many traditional Halloween activities pose a high risk for contracting or spreading COVID-19, but there are still ways to celebrate this fun holiday. (courtesy of the County of San Diego)
SR WEEKEND & NEWS UPDATES
Celebrate Halloween safely during pandemic
Many traditional Halloween activities pose a high risk for contracting or spreading COVID-19 because they typically bring together large groups of people that do not live in the same household.
Door-to-door trick-or-treating is one of the most popular Halloween activities, but it, along with trunk-or-treating, or leaving bowls of candy for others to grab, is not advisable. Instead, consider “one-way trick-or-treating,” in which individually wrapped goodie bags are lined up outdoors, allowing families to grab them while practicing social distancing.
Large gatherings are not permissible under current public health orders so avoid large in-person costume parties. Haunted houses are also not recommended. Instead, the County Health & Human Services Agency recommends dressing up your own home or yard with Halloween-themed decorations and taking a stroll or drive around your neighborhood to enjoy the spooky decor.
Other safe ways to celebrate Halloween and the fall season include:
- Attending a drive-through Halloween event or car parade.
- Watching a spooky movie with your household members, either at home or at a drive-in theater.
- Carving pumpkins with members of your own household.
- Making fall recipes and crafts as a family.
Follow the established safety measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. This includes wearing a face covering, maintaining physical distance, washing your hands and staying home when you feel ill.
Click here for the full Halloween guidance from the County of San Diego Health and Human Services Agency: HalloweenGuidanceDuringCOVID-19.pdf.
–Katie Cadiao, County of San Diego Communications Office
Virtual Dia de los Muertos festival
San Diego County’s Parks and Recreation Department is holding a virtual Dia de los Muertos Festival from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 1, that will feature regional dance performances, a cultural story time and a “how-to” arts and crafts workshop.
The online celebration, which will also feature a virtual tour of the Rancho Guajome Adobe, will take place on the County Park’s YouTube channel — Youtube.com/SDCountyparks — and everyone is invited to join in! The festivities will be conducted in English and Spanish.
—Gig Conaughton, County of San Diego Communications Office
Scripps Ranch COVID-19 cases jump by 16
Total cases of coronavirus reported in the Scripps Ranch 92131 ZIP Code area now stand at 234 since San Diego County began recording cases. That’s an increase of 16 cases in the past week. Local cases increased by 11 the previous week.
The County of San Diego reported 658 total cases recorded in Mira Mesa and 392 total cases in Poway. San Diego County reports the cases, broken down by community residence listed for each patient.
These are the total tabulated cases in each ZIP Code area since the County began tracking cases in February. It does not reflect those who recovered, nor does it account for those who died from COVID-19 in Scripps Ranch. The County of San Diego does not provide those statistics at this point.
City reaches road repair milestone
Mayor Kevin L. Faulconer joined City Councilman Mark Kersey Oct. 29 in Scripps Ranch for a media opportunity to highlight the pace of road repair in neighborhoods across the city – explaining that more than 1,700 miles of city roadway have been repaired since Faulconer became mayor.
The City is on track to fix half of the City’s entire 3,600-mile street network by the end of December, and the City has paved 1,765 miles since 2014, according to a press release. Taking advantage of reduced traffic amid the pandemic, this year crews have completed repair work on some of the City’s busiest streets.
“It’s great to see that we have repaved nearly half of the city’s streets, an issue that remains the top request we hear from our residents,” said Mark Kersey, chair of the Active Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.
One of Faulconer’s first steps in office was to declare street repair as the City’s top infrastructure priority. In 2015, he pledged to fix 1,000 miles of streets in five years and then tripled funding to make it happen. Coupled with the streamlining efforts, the City was able to reach that goal nearly two years ahead of schedule in 2018, according to the press release.
Residents can see completed projects, track current road repairs and view upcoming projects in their neighborhoods using an interactive map on the City’s Streets SD website. San Diegans can also report potholes and other issues using the Get It Done app via smartphone or computer.
Wolff plans two live stream concerts
Scripps Ranch rock musician Steve Wolff will perform live this Saturday, Oct 31, with a 1.5 hour “Almost Unplugged” StreetJelly Livestream starting 4:30 p.m. (before any Halloween activities). StreetJelly sessions can be replayed for 24 hours afterward.
On Sunday, Nov. 1, Wolff will perform a two-hour mix of “1 Man Rock Band” on SessionsLive from 5 to 7 p.m.: https://sessionslive.com/WolffLive. There are no replays on SessionsLive.
NEXT WEEK:
Here is a little about the upcoming week; Nov. 1-7, 2020:
Sunday, Nov. 1 is National Authors’ Day, National Brush Day, National Calzone Day, National Cinnamon Day, National Deep Fried Clams Day, National Cook For Your Pets Day, National Family Literacy Day, National Vinegar Day and Daylight Saving Time Ends.
Monday, Nov. 2 is National Deviled Egg Day, Color the World Orange Day, Job Action Day and Traffic Directors Day.
Tuesday, Nov. 3 is National Sandwich Day and National Housewife’s Day.
Wednesday, Nov. 4 is National Chicken Lady Day, National Candy Day and National Stress Awareness Day.
Thursday, Nov. 5 is National Love Your Red Hair Day, National Doughnut Day, National Cash Back Day and National Men Make Dinner Day (Must Cook. No BBQ Allowed.).
Friday, Nov. 6 is National Jersey Friday, National Nachos Day and Saxophone Day.
Saturday, Nov. 7 is National Bison Day, National Bittersweet Chocolate with Almonds Day, National Canine Lymphoma Awareness Day and National Play Outside Day.