“Social distancing” practiced to prevent spread of Coronavirus

SALINAS, Calif. (KION) While officials offer new recommendations to mitigate the spread of the Coronavirus (COVID-19), where does that leave people in professions like cosmetology?

"I was just talking to the staff about this. We were joking that the safest place to be is probably in a barber shop," said Owner of Furey's Old Town Barber in Salinas, Lelyn Furey.

Furey said she is confident her doors will stay open. While some feel staying in your own "bubble" is the best way to keep healthy, Furey's staff feels comfortable carrying on with business as usual.

Furey said if a customer walks in sick, they will simply help them reschedule their appointment. "They know if they're feeling any bit under the weather, that we are going to have to stop the service. Luckily, our clientele are amazing. They're not coming in if they're sick. We're rescheduling them," said Furey.

This is a version of what officials are now calling "social distancing." Dr. Lisa Maragakis, Director of Infection Prevention at John Hopkins Health System, recommends keeping a total of six feet between you and another person.

"It's anything from not shaking hands, not hugging and kissing someone, to just leaving more space between yourself and someone else," said Maragakis.

It is clear that a lot less than six feet is required of cosmetologists to do their job. That is why ramping up an already strict cleaning routine, mandated by the state board of cosmetology, has become so important. "We're going to continue our sanitation procedures. We're using hospital grade antibacterial sprays. We're using sanitary nex strips. We're educating our clients," said Furey.