Hair Styling Guidelines During the Pandemic

Get Outlook for Android From: J Birch Sent: Sunday, May 3, 2020 6:32:02 PM To: justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca <justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca>; Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca <Chrystia.Freeland@parl.gc.ca>; dujarric@un.org <dujarric@un.org>; GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca <GlobalOttawa@globalnews.ca>; news@skynews.com <news@skynews.com>; tips@GlobalTVBC.com <tips@GlobalTVBC.com>; contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com <contact.nbcnews@nbcuni.com>; Secretary@HHS.gov <Secretary@HHS.gov>; Sky.Today <Sky.Today@sky.uk>; media@gatesfoundation.org <media@gatesfoundation.org>; media@sputniknews.com <media@sputniknews.com>; nytnews@nytimes.com <nytnews@nytimes.com>; dan@jpost.com <dan@jpost.com>; david.penberthy@news.com.au <david.penberthy@news.com.au>; jedmiston@nationalpost.com <jedmiston@nationalpost.com>; governor@governor.ca.gov <governor@governor.ca.gov>; dir_enq@cso.gov.hk <dir_enq@cso.gov.hk>; correspondence@council.nyc.gov <correspondence@council.nyc.gov>; newsonline@ctv.ca <newsonline@ctv.ca>; news@thelocal.se <news@thelocal.se> Subject: Hair Styling Guidelines During the Pandemic (Opinion)

Hey Everyone, I was reading a story about hair stylists and barbers who are concerned with re-opening until there are adequate guidelines in place to protect them and their customers. I was therefore thinking of ways to help mitigate viral contamination in such a close quarters setting and I have a few ideas that might help. Firstly, each customer and hair practitioner should be wearing full masks and gloves during the haircut to minimize contact or viral droplets. Additionally, there should be Plexiglas inserts between each station to create enclosed cubicles from the ceiling down to create individual viral zones for the worker. They should have their own set of tools that should not be shared without first being fully sanitized and their sanitization liquid should be the required alcohol content to ensure disinfection. The hair should be swept up and placed in a garbage bin and each station should be sanitized after each haircut, wash or curling. I would propose one worker who is tasked with cleaning the store and sanitizing each station after use. This way we reduce the spread person to person and environment to person to allow for greater protections for all involved. As well they should utilize sensors in the bathrooms for soap and paper towels and ensure that the doors and chairs are wiped down regularly. I would also try to work on an appointment basis to reduce congestion in the salon during this time and to allow for cleaning time between appointments. For masks, perhaps we can design a smaller sticker mask that sticks over the mouth and nose to allow for facials and haircutting that way we can remove the straps from being in the way of the haircut. Additionally, you can even have a dedicated room for facials that is sanitized every time in case those require the removal of masks. I would also wash the hair cutting robes after each use or look into recyclable one time use robes. Finally, similar procedures can be implemented at nail salons but I would institute more rigorous cleaning and disinfection routines since those tools are used more directly with the person. You can even have them buy their own tools to bring for appointments if they are regular customers to reduce the possibility of person to person transmission. These were just a few thoughts I was having to hopefully allow for greater protections for this industry. Stay Safe, Stay Sanitized and Stay Supportive, John Ames Birch @johneames2