Hairstylists in the province should or must wear masks?
But guidelines unclear on if it’s a recommendation or a requirement
Some people could not mask their frustration.
“Your article has left me absolutely furious,” emailed one hairstylist, whose sentiments were echoed by many readers who have contacted me since Wednesday.
Vitriol resulting from my previous column, focusing on Tuesday’s haircut, spilled over on to Facebook.
“You are being lambasted,” my dear sister informed me.
The reason? My barber did not wear a mask during my appointment, which was scheduled for the first day that personal-care services were allowed to reopen during the pandemic period.
She did ask customers if they wanted her to don a mask and, for a considerable portion of the day, did wear facial covering. Some customers also exercised the option of wearing a mask themselves.
Such was the reality, from my experience, so I wrote about it.
And now, unexpectedly but dutifully, I am writing about it again.
Clearly, there is a need for clarification. Consider the wording of one item in the provincial government’s Re-open Saskatchewan plan, referencing Personal Care Service Guidelines.
“Employees working directly with clients should wear PPE, including a procedural/surgical mask and eye protection plus an apron to protect clothes.” (Page 40.)
The key word being “should.” Not “must,” but “should.”
Is that a recommendation or a requirement?
Earlier in Re-open Saskatchewan, it reads like a requirement: “All businesses and customers are expected to maintain physical distancing practices. Where it is not possible to provide personal services through physical distancing, service providers will be required to take precautionary measures, such as client screening, wearing eye protection and face masks.” (Page 9.)
In an attempt to resolve any ambiguity, the Regina Leader-post’s Arthur White-crummey spoke Wednesday with Tracey Smith, the assistant deputy minister of health.
“We do have a set of guidelines that we have prepared with that public health advice for personal services, and there is information in the section that is included around personal protective equipment for people undertaking personal services and for those who can’t maintain that appropriate physical distancing,” Smith said. “So, again, there is information on the website.
“And you know, the approach and that guidance is really there to ensure that businesses and individuals have the information they need so that when they do restart or if they have restarted their business that they’re doing so in a way that’s safe for them and safe for their customers.”
White-crummey followed up by asking whether compliance is mandatory or recommended.
“I think that businesses need to, regardless of what business they’re in, review those guidelines, understand what that means for their business, and take into consideration the guidance that has been provided and make determinations for their businesses, based on the information that is within the guidelines,” Smith responded. “Again, that’s where it is important to have this information available.”
Some information was provided in a handout entitled “Guidance For Hair Salons on Phase II of Re-open Saskatchewan.”
One excerpt, under the category of Personal Protective Equipment, reads: “Stylists should wear surgical masks and eye protection plus an apron to protect their clothes. Consider encouraging clients to wear a mask, too.”
Again, please note the use of
“should wear” as opposed to “must wear.”
Based on the feedback received here, a vast majority of people in the hair-care industry have been wearing masks, aprons and other forms of personal protective equipment.
My barber cheerfully, instantly complied once the column resulted in the matter being raised. But, honestly, I can understand why there was some uncertainty. The wording, as presented in the Re- Open Saskatchewan document, invited varying interpretations.
I attempted to clarify this with the Ministry of Health, but no one was made available for a oneon-one interview on Thursday.
Many readers, however, were quick to make their sentiments clear.
■ “Please note that this is NOT how salons in this province are reopening.”
■ “This is not our NORMAL. Our normal is carrying our clients’ hair home on our clothes, not COVID.”
It was not my intent to inflame people, but instead to lightheartedly document another day in the life of a reformed sports writer.
In hindsight, a broader perspective was required.
There was not the slightest concern at the time, because my barber is a longtime friend — someone I trust and will continue to patronize (hopefully for another 35 years).
But I also hearken back to the trusted words of my mentor, Bob Hughes, who repeatedly stated that the readers, irrespective of whether they are inclined to cast bricks or bouquets, come first.
They have spoken — often with phrasing that is suitably snippy — and the result is another column for the clippings file.