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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced Monday it advises against traditional trick-or-treating this year amid the novel coronavirus. The recommendation came as part of a list of Halloween guidelines broken down by level of risk. Door-to-door trick-or-treating, trunk-or-treating "where treats are handed out from trunks of cars lined up in large parking lots" and indoor parties or haunted houses are among the riskiest Halloween activities when it comes to preventing the spread of COVID-19, the CDC says. Others to be avoided include hayrides or tractor rides with others, visiting fall festivals in other communities and using alcohol or drugs, "which can cloud judgment and increase risky behaviors." (Yasharoff, 9/22)

In a year that's been plenty scary, this much is clear: Pandemic Halloween will be different than regular Halloween. Many traditional ways of celebrating are now considerably more frightful than usual, because now they bring the risk of spreading the coronavirus. Accordingly, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued new guidelines on how to celebrate Halloween safely. No big surprise: Classic door-to-door trick-or-treating and crowded, boozy costume parties are not recommended. (Wamsley, 9/22)

Like Halloween, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention laid out the risks when it comes to Thanksgiving activities. Among the "Low-Risk Activities," are small dinners with people that only live in your household, having a virtual dinner with family and friends, and shopping online for deals. "Moderate-Risk Activities" include having a small outdoor dinner with family and friends in your community, visiting pumpkin patches or apple orchards (where masks and social distancing is enforced), and attending a small outdoor sporting event with safety precautions in place. (Owen, 9/23)

In 65 days, people across the nation will be hard at work, preparing a Thanksgiving feast. But, before you make any plans, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is offering some guidance to help prevent the spread of COVID-19. On its website, the institute is laying-out the risks associated with typical holiday traditions. (9/22)

In related news —

Anthony Fauci, the U.S.’s top infectious diseases expert, warned Tuesday that the country is “entering into a risk period” for rising coronavirus infections as fall begins. Asked by CNN’s Sanjay Gupta “how bad … this could get” in the fall, Fauci responded, “It’s always the balance of trying not to frighten people at the same time of trying to jolt them into a realization of what needs to be done to protect themselves as individuals and the country.” (Budryk, 9/22)