With many states now gradually lifting stay-at-home orders, many people are considering a trip to the nearest JC Penney Salon for much-needed hair services. We completely understand even when salon services aren’t exactly considered as essential services because a “messy hair, don’t care” attitude isn’t for everybody. But before becoming too excited about finally getting a haircut or a hair spa, you shouldn’t throw caution to the wind! JC Penney Salon prices are considered to be very competitive with other salons and that should only improve now that JC Penney has declared bankruptcy.
Keep in mind that the states may be opening up the economy, among other things, but there are risks about going to the salon nowadays. You have to be well aware of these risks, know the safety precautions salons should take, and know the safety precautions you have to take. In these times when an invisible enemy has taken thousands of lives in the United States, knowledge and vigilance can mean the difference between life and death, literally.
Risks Inherent in Close Quarters
The biggest risk about being in salons at present is in the manner in which the Covid-19 coronavirus, known scientifically as SARS-CoV-2, spreads between humans. So far as is known, it spreads mainly through close person-to-person contact with infected persons as well as through their respiratory droplets.
There’s also the matter of being in close quarters, literally and figuratively, which spreads the coronavirus even further. In a salon, the people are usually in close contact with each other, particularly when cutting, coloring and styling hair. The entire process indeed means being in close face-to-face contact if the desired results are to be achieved.
This means being in contact with other salon clients and employees who have Covid-19 but doesn’t know it yet for one reason or another. Take note that the virus can still be transmitted from an asymptomatic infected person to other people. The risk of infection is still high even when the people in the salon don’t look or feel sick.
But that’s not all! There’s also the risk, albeit a significantly lower risk than through person-to-person contact, is surface contact. Basically, a non-infected person can pick up the virus, so to speak, from surfaces with the virus on them. These surfaces, such as the chairs and tools, may have an infected person’s respiratory droplets.
The bottom line: Be aware of the risks of being in public places including salons.
Recommended Risk Reduction Measures for Salons
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued guidelines regarding coronavirus-related safety precautions but these don’t specifically address salons. Nonetheless, the American Industrial Hygiene Association (AIHA) and other official agencies have already issued salon-specific guidelines. The states, counties and other local governments have also issued their own safety guidelines and recommendations for the industry.
A few of these include:
- Limiting the number of customers inside the salon at any time, usually by 50% capacity
- Limiting the face-to-face interactions between client and employee, such as the latter mostly standing behind the former
- Asking both the client and employee to wear a mask or face shield when in the salon
- Disinfecting the surfaces, equipment and tools used in the salon on a regular basis, preferably after every use (equipment and tools)
Many salons are also adopting stringent measures to protect their employees and clients. These include separating the different workstations to minimize contact. Ensuring contactless payments, and asking clients and employees to frequently wash their hands. Many salons also don’t provide blow-drying and blowout services since the coronavirus may spread quickly through the air.
As a client, you should ask the salon owners about their safety measures and observe the staff doing their work. You will get a good idea about their compliance and decide whether you will proceed with the service or not.
There are also other things that you can do to decrease your risk of infection as well as of the health of other people in the salon.
- Call the salon about a day or two before coming to it. This isn’t just about asking about the available services and making your reservation although these are also part of it. You should ask about their protective policies, too, as well as what you should do before and during your appointment. You may, for example, be asked to wear a mask, wash your hands and undergo a thermal scanner before entering the salon.
- Be sure to follow the safety protocols implemented by the salon. Keep in mind that everybody should do their part in reducing the risk of infection.
Of course, you should never schedule an appointment when you feel ill or you cannot tolerate wearing a mask for the duration of your appointment. You may not, for example, be able to breathe well with a mask on for more than 30 minutes at a time. You may have to find other ways to have your hair looking great again.
With the pandemic still affecting our lives, we have to sacrifice certain things that we have been used to before the pandemic. But there are also ways in which we can still enjoy many of the beautiful things in life.