The tragedy that took place on Sept. 11 has changed people’s lives forever. They will never fly on an airplane as cavalierly as they did before, and they will never view the safety of the United States in the same way.
Every aspect of daily life will be changed in some way by this event. For instance, with the holiday season quickly approaching, what affect will it have on events like Halloween?
Considering that it has been less than two months since the attacks, and with anthrax scares presently sweeping the country, people have been on edge about participating in the regular festivities.
While University of Utah families have also been affected, many refuse to let it ruin their holiday.
“The crisis is on our minds, but it will not affect me,” said Kevin Medina, a pre-dental student. “I think we should be more cautious and more aware, but it won’t stop us from taking our son trick-or treating.”
Janie Ward, a resident of the Medical Towers, agreed. “The reason why the terrorists did what they did was because they want us to be afraid,” she said. “We will do the same things we always do. My kids need to know that things will continue as normal. We will be cautious, but not anymore cautious than we were last year.”
Students without children feel the same way about Halloween 2001.
“Although the events of Sept. 11 were tragic and horrific, they have not changed my behavior or my anxiety in any way,” said yvind Hatlevik, a graduate student in chemistry. “That goes for flying in airplanes, opening mail or buying Halloween candy.”
Many students feel that Halloween itself can make people anxious. In fact, the idea of children receiving candy from “strangers” may already keep some families at home on Halloween night.
“I think people are paranoid enough about Halloween candy,” said Lisa Peterson, a graduate student in molecular biology. “My parents always checked my candy before. I mean, why would you let your kids eat something that wasn’t commercially packaged anyway?”
Cities around the United States are also urging their residents to use more caution during Halloween this year.
For example, the mayor of Chicago urged his residents to attend school activities and other events instead of going trick-or-treating. His main concern was that there would be too many phone calls regarding tainted candy.
Here in Salt Lake City, things are also a bit different. Both the ZCMI Center and the Crossroads Mall have decided not to allow trick-or-treating in their malls this year. Whether or not this has anything to do with the terrorist attacks is unknown, but it sends a message: Times are different now, and things will continue to change.