Mark Poloncarz Makes Important Suggestion For Kids Going Trick-or-Treating In Erie County

We're just a few days away from Halloween in Western New York, which will fall on a Sunday this year.

Even though restrictions and guidelines have loosened over the months in Erie County, there's still a concern over the pandemic and COVID-19 in the area.

Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Erie County Health Commissioner Dr. Gale Burstein held a press conference on Wednesday afternoon to give an update on the recent COVID-19 data in the county.

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Burstein says that roughly 31 percent of unvaccinated adults account for 66 percent of COVID-19 hospitalizations. The concern for the youth in Erie County was mentioned by Poloncarz and Burstein.

43 percent of cases in ages 0-4, between July and September, were found in those who were in a child care facility. Tweets courtesy of Evan Anstey of WIVB in Buffalo.

Poloncarz made an important recommendation for kids who are going trick-or-treating this weekend. The Erie County Executive is recommending that kids wear masks while out on Halloween, since they will be around "a lot" of people they don't see every day.

While those younger than 12 years of age cannot get vaccinated, Dr. Burstein says she hopes that changes in a week and a half.

Dr. Burstein also recommends that everyone get tested 5-7 days after being exposed to COVID-19, regardless of their vaccination status.

As for booster shots, the CDC is now saying that it's okay to mix and match booster shots with the original vaccine brand an individual received.