After a semester unlike any other due to COVID-19 concerns and regulations, many students are using Halloween as a vehicle for a much-needed break.
“It has been a tough semester. College has never been easy but with all the new COVID rules and format changes, I am looking forward to a weekend of fun with my friends,” said Luke Gluhosky, a UW senior.
According to Gluhosky, his plans involve gathering with friends, showing off costumes and “trying to have a good time.”
“We will still be paying attention to COVID regulations as much as possible of course, but we are hoping that we can shift the attention away from the global pandemic for a change while still being as safe as possible,” Gluhosky said.
However, no matter how hard Gluhosky tries, this Halloween will not be the same as previous years.
“This year’s celebration will be much different than previous years, we know that we have to be wary of how close we are and what we share. But we are hoping it will still be enjoyable for everyone,” Gluhosky said.
Matt Bebo, another UW senior, has a similar plan to Glushosky’s.
“My plans are not super extravagant. I will probably just hang out with some friends and go to the bars downtown,” Bebo said.
Bebo, whose costume will be McDonald’s French Fries, said he is excited for Halloween.
“People get excited because as a child you can go and get candy, and as an adult you can go and get drunk,” Bebo said.
There is still a danger from COVID this Halloween, and the thought has not fully escaped Bebo’s mind.
“I do have asthma so I will have to be more careful than most, I do think there will be a spike in COVID cases as a result,” Bebo said.
Not all UW students have plans to stay in Laramie for Halloween, as evidenced by Grace Long.
“I am going to a birthday party in Colorado and then I’m coming back to go to a few other places,” Long said.
But this busy schedule still has room for COVID safety.
“One of the parties is being limited to a certain number of people to minimize possible exposure and the other one is simply a small gathering of friends. I think that these parties aren’t the most COVID safe, but they are definitely safer than going to the bars or a huge house party,” Long said.
Unlike the other students, Long predicts that there will be a smaller amount of festivities this Halloween in comparison to previous years.
“I think this year there will be less activity on Halloween,” Long said.
