Halloween spirit may seem lacking this year with COVID-19 making a big dent in the festivities. Whole neighborhoods are having to reevaluate their spooktacular traditions. With fingers crossed and creativity on high this October, we might see a new wave of Halloween costume fads despite the challenges. 

Of course, expect to see some costumes inspired by 2020’s most popular items: hand  sanitizer, Clorox wipes and the beloved toilet paper roll. These items are pretty witty, but will they eventually get old? Hopefully and eventually—no kid wants to be cleaning supplies forever.

Perhaps some political costumes will rise in popularity since it is an election year and Halloween is three days before Election Day. With politics being all the rage, you just may see a President Donald Trump or former Vice President Joe Biden strolling your neighborhood streets come the evening of Oct. 31. Or possibly, in a more subtle approach, some may choose to dress as a mail-in ballot or mail carrier costume.

With concealing your mouth and nose being the objective, you might as well choose a costume that conceals your whole head, like a fully-suited scientist from Stranger Things exploring the “Upside Down.” Some non-extraterrestrial options include being a ninja, astronaut, fish bowl or one of those inflatable dinosaurs.

If you’re sticking to practicality instead of “wow factor,” give your mask a Halloween twist by adding a skeleton or jack-o-lantern’s smile to it. As always, as long as the mask is effective, you’re good to go—but extra style points will be awarded. 

Amazon and other online stores have been spotted selling full head masks in the shape of a COVID cell. While the full-headed virus masks look very effective at keeping your germs to yourself, it seems a little too soon…