Des Moines' pandemic Halloween guidance, then and now

Just a year ago, Des Moines Mayor Frank Cownie and local health officials held a press conference urging families to avoid Beggars' Night festivities during the pandemic or, at the very least, abide by some general guidelines:

• No-treat handling. The goods were to be left on a table or delivered with no hand-to-hand contact.
• Only trick or treat with people in your own household.
• Sanitize candy with a wipe and refuse all non-wrapped goods.

Flash forward: This year, local leaders haven't held holiday-specific press conferences warning of the dangers of Beggars' Night.

• Polk County, however, is urging unvaccinated people to wear a mask while at indoor events.
• Meanwhile, Rochelle Walensky, director of the CDC, has encouraged families to celebrate, albeit in smaller outdoor settings.

Details: Beggars' Night will kick off for Des Moines and most metro cities Saturday from 6-8pm.

• Lots of other spook-tacular events are on the books this year too.

The bottom line: Have fun but act reasonably and responsibly.