Not that long ago, someone who operated a costume shop would have been 100% on board with masks being encouraged or even required in daily wear.
But as we approach Halloween 2.0 in the COVID-19 age that has made masks as much a political symbol as they are party tool, could we embrace masking just for the fun of it?
"Boy, I hope so," Susan Stringer said Monday around lunch. "Last year was terrible."
Susan is more than a Halloween fan; it's a big part of her living. She's the operator of Beauty and The Beast Costumes in Red Bank, a one-stop-shop for any and all wearable decor for almost every occasion.
By her estimate, last year's Halloween halt cost the business a third of its typical haul in scare fares. And that was just the beginning.
"Halloween was pretty bad, but where we were really hurt was at Christmas, Easter, school plays and the other events that pay our bills," Stringer said. "Halloween normally is just the icing on our cake."
That cake seems to be back in the oven this year. The numbers for Stringer are "close" to pre-COVID-19 levels. Nationally, the news is anything but frightening.
Estimates have almost two-thirds of America participating in Halloween this year, with spending figures projected at a whopping $10.14 billion, up understandably from last year's $8.05 billion and notably from the $8.78 billion spent in 2019.
"It feels close [to 2019 levels]. I appreciate how people have supported local [businesses] and looked for ways to be involved," Stringer said. "I think a lot of people know that people like us are the last ones standing and we have a lot of inventory left over."
There certainly is not a shortage of options for those who want to participate in the COVID-19 costume craze.
Popular choices include medieval costumes - "Everyone wants to be a bad--- warrior," Stringer said, as well as traditional "Star Wars" or "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles" characters to even zoot suits and go-go girl looks.
And yes, that includes the most recent rendition of Michael Myers, the killer from the "Halloween" movie franchise that has its most recent installment - "Halloween 47," maybe? - atop the box offices with more than $50 million raked in on its opening weekend.
"Oh, yes, we have all the Mike Myers stuff," Stringer said proudly, pointing to the dozens of face coverings and outfits resembling the horror movie hall of famer.
Thank goodness, because maybe this can be an occasion when we all are happy to wear a mask.
Contact Jay Greeson at jgreeson@timesfreepress.com.
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Jay Greeson