Petition to open Maryland barbershops and salons during the coronavirus pandemic
MARYLAND–Trying to get a haircut during COVID-19 may be difficult considering salons and barbershops are closed, but that may be able to change with an online petition that is out right now.
“I actually feel like it is a good option for it and for anybody else in small business,” Nicholas McIntosh, a DCD Grooming Lounge barber, said.
In Maryland, some hair salons and barbershops are trying to reopen their businesses with a petition, but not everyone is on board with the idea.
“I don’t think a petition is going to get us anywhere, but sure we love our clients and we miss them greatly, but their safety is also important,” Teena Twilley, owner of Designer’s Edge Hair Salon, said.
Kino Lily, who created the petition, told us he understands that safety is important, but having to close has been hard on business.
“Have people living day to day, so being out of work 60 days is going to be crucial without unemployment, cant pay these bills,” Kino Lilly, owner of A Cut Above, said.
“At the end of the day, bills still have to get paid so what else is there for us to do,” McIntosh said.
But Lilly wants officials to know that if his shop were to reopen, the proper precautions would be taken.
“You need to take the proper measures of wearing your mask, putting on your gloves, staying groomed, washing your hands frequently, but these are things we usually do,” Lilly said.
Lilly said he hopes his petition convinces Governor Larry Hogan that hair salons and barbershops should be considered essential businesses.
“Make some noise, so people understand the importance within the community, it’s not just serving the community it’s actually being there having an ear, walking people through hard times,” Lilly said.
While there may be some opposing views on the matter, one thing is clear, the safety of employees and customers is taken seriously by all barbershop and salon owners.
“We would take precautions measures to accommodate customers, so they are in the best conditions,” Lilly said.
“I feel that the safety and well being of my Designers Edge family members are of the upmost importance to me,” Twilley said.
Twilley told us that they have already started working on a plan to bring back employees when they are allowed to do so.
To find more information on the petition, you can visit the link below.
https://sign.moveon.org/petitions/maryland-barbershops-and-beauty-salons-soft-opening?bucket&source=facebook-share-button&time=1586994793&utm_campaign&utm_source=facebook&share=13382258-e47d-4d5d-89fc-c3a990075ac8
