Halloween is less than four nights away, but there are some places you won't be able to take your kids trick or treating this year.
Nursing homes nationwide are "upping the ante" in protecting their residents against H1N1. And right here in Siouxland, that means cancelling one popular Halloween tradition. Trick-or- treating.
Sunrise Retirement Community Administrator, Alan Bruinsma, says, "We made the decision based upon the things we heard about the flu going around and those types of things that it would be in our best residents interest to cancel the big plans."
Since children are said to be one of the primary carriers of H1N1, Bruinsma says he'd rather not expose his residents to any potential illnesses.
Bruinsma adds, "We want to make sure that our residents are safe and that we provide the safest environment we can."
Some residents understand, but are disappointed, saying seeing the little ghosts and goblins is one of their favorite aspects of Halloween.
Edna Sponder, resident at Sunrise, says, "Seeing all the kids in their costumes and so on. They have the time of their life and they express it so vividly."
But some Siouxland nursing homes, like Matney's Colonial Manor in South Sioux City, say it's exactly this reason they will be welcoming trick-or-treaters.
Activities Director at Matney's, Dixie Brown, says, "It maybe even bring out the young in them, remembering the old days, just kids in general they love, they love seeing them, they love having them around, so it's good for the kids and the residents."
That doesn't mean Matney's won't be taking extra precautions to keep their residents healthy. Brown adds that everyone will be wearing gloves and sanitizing will be in full effect.
And although some area nursing homes won't be inviting trick-or-treaters through their doors this weekend, many of them are still partaking in Halloween by making goodie bags for residents and employees family members and grandchildren."
And remember, trick-or-treating in the Siouxland area generally runs from 6 PM to 8 PM.
