Report by Paula Antolini, April 29, 2020, 6:46PM EDT
A petition has been created on sign.move on.org a campaign created by Nancy Smigiel to “allow a Licensed Professional Barber, Hairdresser or Cosmetologist to perform designated service.” The petition presently has 13,466 of 15,000 signatures requested.
It reads as follows:
“Allow a Licensed Professional Barber, Hairdresser or Cosmetologist to perform designated service; one client at a time per Barber/Hairdresser in place of business as of Tuesday, April 28, 2020.
“All existing sterilization and sanitation protocols approved by the state of Connecticut and coinciding county’s Board of Health would be strictly maintained. All individuals will wear face masks. Clients would be scheduled accordingly to allow ample time to perform extra cleaning and sanitizing procedures
“The Barber and Hair Styling industry needs to be recognized and deemed as an essential business. With careful and responsible procedures, we can safely provide the necessary services that our clients so desire.
“Why is this important?
“We are educated and licensed professionals; so many of us working within the small business community. Not only are we suffering from the financial aspects of this shut-down but we are dealing with the reality that we are unable to provide the services that our loyal clientele rely upon.”
Comments on the petition include a comment by Marta R. that reads, “As a small business women owned nail salon. I have never seen so much unfairness in my life .. We work day in day out endless hours we start at 9am and work till 7 closing time 7 days a week at times I’m signing this because I can’t believe how the care act has failed so many small businesses we don’t qualify for unemployment we cant work so how are we gonna feed our family .. we are not gonna get a bail out as we stay home our Bills pile up at our commercial location.”
Kelly C. stated, “Its time to start allowing some services to return to work, under protocol.”
Kari C. said she was signing because, “Because I am a hairstylist.”
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