​Hello,

You may have seen or read in the news earlier today that the Governor has issued new Guidances on expanding personal care services outside.  I posted the pertinent information for you below.

While this may seem great, this is not a feasible option for many hairstylist and salons in California.  These new "outdoor" guidelines are still limited to providing services outside of a licensed establishment.   Most salons whether they be in a neighborhood, a mall, a strip mall, or, like our salon, a high rise building do not have access to outdoor space.

We also need to keep in mind that many cities and counties have shut down many, if not all, outdoor social activities.

As much as I wish this were good news for all of us, it still does not move anything forward in regards to me being able to safely provide you with your much needed hair care services.  In my humble opinion, the indoor space of our salon is still a much safer, sanitized, disinfected, and regulated environment for you and me.

I will continue to keep you posted as new information becomes available.

Stay healthy and sane (as best you can).  
And #MaskUp

- Brian ✂️

This is is what the new "outdoor" guidelines specify (link posted below): 

* Outdoor operations may be conducted under a tent, canopy, or other sun shelter as long as no more than one side is closed, allowing sufficient outdoor air movement.

* Salons should not perform a service that would require a customer to have to enter the establishment. 

Other Considerations for Moving Work Outdoors:
* Rewiring and the use of electrical extension cords can increase the likelihood of electrical hazards, including fire and electrocution. Ensure that outdoor operations comply with Cal/OSHA and all code requirements. See Cal/OSHA’s Guide to Electrical Safety for more information.

* Ensure there are no tripping hazards from cords or other equipment in outdoor work areas.

* Use shade or other skin protection when not under shade.

* Stop operations, move away from electrical wiring and equipment and seek indoor shelter if there is lightning within 6 miles of your location (see the FEMA “30/30 rule”).

Expanded Personal Care Services Provided Outdoors

​COVID-19 is a secret predator. The nature of my work is very intimate and breaches the 6-foot distancing recommendation, now 30 feet in some situations. This means even stricter protocols are necessary. By asking me to come to your home or cut your hair outdoors you are asking me to break the Stay-at-Home order and put a few things at risk.  First would be both your and my heath, safety, and well-being. We are not of the same households nor have we been self-quarantining together. Next would be my license and career, basically my livelihood. I have invested too much to foolishly risk having that taken away.  Reopening the salon, even with the highest cleaning, sanitation, and disinfection protocols in place, has its own risks.  But at least in the salon, we are doing our best to protect you (and ourselves) in somewhat of a controlled and hopefully safe environment.

Hello,

The Mayor announced this afternoon the reopening of personal services (hair salons) is still on pause.

In short:
Personal services such as haircuts, massages, tattoos and body piercing, manicures and pedicures, will be the next groups of businesses considered for reopening and will provide another update on July 15th on the health indicators and other information that will inform the status of further reopening.

I have linked the announcement below.

If you had an appointment scheduled next week, you should have received a separate email from me letting you know I, unfortunately, needed to cancel your appointment.

I will contact those of you who have appointments later in the month if anything changes and your appointment needs to be either cancelled or rescheduled.

Until there is clear information on the reopening of Hair Salons I need to suspend online appointment scheduling through the end of July. As new information is received, this date will be revised.

I am taking every precaution necessary to assure your safety and well-being.

I am available by phone, text, or email if you have any questions or concerns. Or just want to chat.

Thank you again for understanding!
And please stay safe!

- Brian

https://sfmayor.org/article/san-francisco-continues-pause-reopening-most-activities-and-businesses ✂️

​COVID-19

While people across the country are adapting to the "new normal," many are wondering which activities are safe to do. Though leaving the comfort of your home at any time poses a small risk, there are a number of activities that are considered riskier than others.

In an article on businessinsider.com, Dr. Susan Hassig, an associate professor of epidemiology at the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine in New Orleans, talked about the risks of going out to eat, gathering with friends and opening mail. According to Dr. Hassig, here's what you should consider as restrictions start to lift across the country.

High risk: Gatherings of family or friends
"If you haven't been living with them, then there's a potential risk," Dr. Hassig told Business Insider. The article went on to say that if you do decide to get together with family or friends, you should consider the age and underlying conditions of the people there and those you live with. Because family and friends are less likely to wear masks when they're with each other, it's possible that asymptomatic people could transmit the virus in this type of setting.

High risk: Bars
Bars "should not be allowed to open," Hassig said. According to the article, mingling, crowded areas and the inability to wear masks while drinking make them a high-risk place for getting infected.

Medium to high risk: Gyms
While it's easier to social distance in a gym than a bar, it doesn't mean the gym is totally safe. Dr. Hassig considers going to the gym a medium-risk activity and recommends equipment be sanitized before and after each use.

Medium risk: Indoor restaurants
Many states have allowed restaurants with outdoor seating to resume business, but indoor restaurants pose a greater risk. "Indoor dining at restaurants is risky because of airflow and people being in an enclosed space for hours at a time," the article says.

Medium risk: Hair and nail salons
Hair and nail salons, which have opened in several states, have a medium risk of infection, Hassig told Business Insider. Like other interactive activities, wearing masks is critical, as it helps block particles from spreading easily when you're speaking or coughing. It also discourages employees and customers from touching their faces.

Low to medium risk: Beaches
Though being outdoors sounds like a low-risk activity, Hassig says beaches can be somewhat dangerous because of their capacity. "They usually have many points of entry, so it would be difficult to limit capacity," Hassig said.

Low risk: Touching mail/groceries
When the virus first began some news outlets cautioned against touching mail and groceries without wiping it down first, but Hassig considers it a low-risk activity. According to Hassig, there's a low risk of catching the coronavirus from touching your mail or other items like groceries. 

From American Salon

The risk levels of everyday activities:

High risk: Gatherings of family or friends
High risk: Bars
High risk: Religious functions
High risk: Movie theaters and sporting events
Medium to high risk: Gyms
Medium risk: Restaurants (indoors)
Medium risk: Hair and nail salons
Medium risk: Dates or gatherings with a couple of friends
Low to medium risk: Beaches
Low risk: Outdoor dining
Low risk: Outdoor activities
Low risk: Shopping
Low risk: Touching mail or groceries