Friday, July 10, 2020

Hair Salon "Experiment"


by: Mark McMahon



Photo by Tai's Captures on Unsplash


Since very early in the pandemic, public health officials have strongly urged all of us to WEAR MASKS when in public. Ongoing scientific research continues to bear this out; mask use is possibly the single most important thing we can do, if we are going to venture out of our quarantine bubbles. Laboratory experiments have shown that the virus’ main transmission vector is through exhaled aerosolized droplets - and that well-made masks do a fine job of limiting the spread of those droplets.


Two hairdressers in Missouri, however, may have given us a genuine field test of this principle. Before they shut down, two ASYMPTOMATIC (unsuspecting) COVID-carrying stylists together saw 140 clients, mingled with 6 co-workers, and - wait for it - according to the local health department, there were NO transmissions of COVID-19 resulting from those interactions! Read the article HERE:

In this salon, everyone wore masks, they staggered appointments to spread out client traffic, and they put extra space between work stations - all steps which we have been taking at RIF since the first day we reopened over a month ago.  Of course, we’re also maintaining social distancing, and scrupulously cleaning all treatment items and surfaces between clients. We are doing everything we can to keep everyone safe while visiting RIF. We are all in this together!