Less than a month ago, salons and barbershops started gradually closing their doors amidst the growing concern surrounding the Coronavirus. It made sense—as the virus was rapidly spreading, it was posing a health risk for an industry that's built on physical interaction. Fast-forward to now, about five weeks into isolation—with talk of quarantine lasting into the summer—a number of salons are petitioning to reopen their salon doors with one client at a time.
This particular petition on moveon.org asks for Arkansas hair salons and barbershops to be allowed a soft open on April 27, serving one client at a time while wearing masks and gloves. Advocates believe salons can operate while adhering to CDC guidelines. One person who signed the petition wrote, "If regular stores can be open, why can't salons and barbershops? They can screen better than a retail store can. Save all our small businesses."
Another petition started in New York claims that "servicing one client at a time (while wearing a mask & gloves) poses little to no risk of spreading the virus, as compared to 20 or more people in a grocery store or 10 plus people at restaurants picking up food."
While the future remains unknown, there are a number of resources to help you right now:
1. Find Out When Your Stimulus Check Will Arrive
2. How to Apply for the PBA COVID-19 Relief Fund