A hairstylist worked while symptomatic and exposed 91 people to coronavirus

[brooklynite]

Source: CNN

A hairstylist with coronavirus worked for eight days this month while symptomatic, exposing as many as 91 customers and coworkers in Missouri, health officials said.

The case highlights the threats of community spread in the United States as businesses reopen after weeks of restrictions to combat the spread of coronavirus.

In this instance, the 84 customers exposed got services from the hairstylist at Great Clips, said Clay Goddard, director of the Springfield-Greene County Health Department. In addition to the customers, seven coworkers were also notified of exposure.

It's unclear when the stylist tested positive but the infection is believed to have happened while traveling. The stylist worked May 12 through Wednesday, health officials said Friday. At the time, businesses such as barbershops and hair salons were allowed to operate in the state.

Read more: https://www.cnn.com/2020/05/23/us/missouri-hairstylist-coronavirus-trnd/index.html?utm_medium=social&utm_source=twCNN&utm_content=2020-05-23T12%3A29%3A01&utm_term=link

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Liberate Missouri!

[tanyev]

1. 𝙻̶𝚒̶𝚋̶𝚎̶𝚛̶𝚊̶𝚝̶𝚎̶ Obliterate Missouri.

[still_one]

2. While symptomatic is unethical as hell. Did the the hairstylist at least have a mask on?

Of course what no one has answered is what about those people who are asymptomatic?

[AllyCat]

11. Since we have no reasonable sick leave laws in this country,

this will continue to happen in other places too.

[Blues Heron]

15. that's a really good point that can't be emphasized enough

[DBoon]

21. We need income support during a pandemic

Instead what we have is Mitch Mc complaining that our unemployment is too generous because it encourages people to stay home instead of going to work and getting infected.

[Bengus81]

17. Republican State and not a WORD about where that place is, the persons name etc......

As stated before these PUKES now want to hide as much of this kind of shit as possible to make Trump look better for a few minutes. SOAB!! It should be clearly stated where that is and all the other facts.

Let me guess...same State that figured some queer in the 80's should have been charged with first degree murder for infecting someone else with AIDS. That's really rich because this could turn into multiple deaths unless they hide it more than already.

[FakeNoose]

19. Springfield, Missouri

It's a small town in the southwestern corner of the state, closer to Arkansas and Oklahoma than it is to Saint Louis or Kansas City.

[LibinMo]

33. Population around 200,000

We are 35 miles north of Branson, where the summer tourist season could spread Covid-19 all over the country.

[pstokely]

38. Springfield MO isn't that small

but it's an oversized small town rather than a small big city

[Cobalt Violet]

24. according to the article, yes there where mask worn by the stylist and clients.

It will be interesting to see how much it spread even with masks.

[LisaL]

32. Start the count.

Second hairstylist tested positive. She had 56 clients.
"The health department says 56 clients were potentially directly exposed by the second case. These clients will be notified by the health officials and be offered testing."
https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Second-hair-stylist-from-Springfield-Great-Clips-tests-positive-for-COVID-19-570724181.html

[Blues Heron]

3. everyone was masked so we'll see if that's enough to provide safety

[LisaL]

7. I am positive we are not talking about quality PPE here.

So, my guess, no, it would not be enough. I guess we have to wait and see how many will get infected from that little experiment.

[Blues Heron]

9. self appointed guineau pigs- shaking my head

some people - sheesh

[AllyCat]

13. Even with masks, people are still supposed to be 6 feet apart

So, unless the stylist had some really long scissors, clippers, and combs...I doubt it. But this would be a test of the recommendation for sure.

[LisaL]

20. Adding to the problem, any face covering counts as a mask.

A bandana, a scarf, a whatever.
These masks are not tested to see how well they work. If they all were wearing quality N95 respirators, it could have been a different story. But obviously chances are, they were not. Add to that, with hair washing, etc, it's hard to even keep the mask on and mask could get wet and be pretty useless.

[RobinA]

34. That's Why This Whole

mask thing is dangerous BS. They can't tell us to wear N95s because there aren't any. So they tell us to wear any covering and people think they and everyone around them are safe. And they shame other people for not wearing whatever over their faces. I look around and see people with all these made up masks and it just seems so sorry.

[LisaL]

35. Well, even home made masks help to stop the spread.

So better to wear homemade masks than no masks. However, people should still be social distancing. But in this case, she would have been close to the clients and her colleagues for prolonged periods of times. We already know one of her colleagues tested positive.

[RobinA]

45. I Remain To Be

convinced that non-N95s do much of anything. I wear one because I have to, but I think this mask thing is a crock.

[LisaL]

30. It's not. We can start counting.

"A second Great Clips hair stylist in Springfield has tested positive for COVID-19, according the Springfield-Greene County Health Department."
https://www.ky3.com/content/news/Second-hair-stylist-from-Springfield-Great-Clips-tests-positive-for-COVID-19-570724181.html

[padah513]

4. That's the problem

Without testing, who knows who has what or when they have it. No telling how many of those 91 were infected if any, or how many they might have infected.

[progree]

5. Also visited a fitness center, according to the Kansas City Star article excerpted at

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213473587

The hairstylist also visited a Dairy Queen, Walmart and fitness center, officials said.

[LittleGirl]

6. Did she have sick pay?

Probably not, which is why anyone goes to works sick, especially during a pandemic.

I’m sorry this happened but the cruelties from low wage earners like salon workers is that they don’t have sick pay which is the point. They and everyone that comes in contact with is disposable. 😥

[Igel]

12. It's a question. Depends.

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/pandemic/ffcra-employee-paid-leave

[keithbvadu2]

14. She's reopening the economy. D'ya suppose Donald and Melania need a trim?

She's reopening the economy.

D'ya suppose Donald and Melania need a trim?

[DBoon]

22. Many are contractors

hair salons will rent out seats and treat stylists as subcontractors largely to avoid the costs and liability of an employment relationship.

The gig economy is literally killing people

[LittleGirl]

29. Yep, it's a feature not a bug

It’s today’s reality.

[Freddie]

8. She worked for a corporate hair salon

Those places are famous for no paid sick time and firing stylists who call out unpaid. Don’t blame her, blame the greedy corporate masters.

[Cobalt Violet]

36. Cheap haircuts come with big hidden price sometimes.

Around here Great Clips is the bottom of the barrel corporate salon.

[AirmensMom]

10. This is really scary.

My husband has gone from "needing a haircut is a badge of honor" to "I can't stand it anymore." And he's going next week. Our hairdresser has been covered up ever since she reopened a month or so ago, so that's a lot of potential people to pick it up from. I'm absolutely terrified. Oh yeah, and I am perfectly capable of cutting his hair. Not perfect, but enough to get him through at least another month. Needless to say, I have cancelled my appointment. We still pay her, even if we don't go, because I'd rather she not feel financially squeezed by this.

[Bengus81]

16. This is the future of all these State re-openings.....

Not one DAMN thing has changed with this virus since it hit the US. Lives and positive cases were saved only because of shut downs and distancing--not because of a drug which you won't see until a year from now or longer.

Most businesses will adhere to re-opening guide lines for about five minutes, or until they know that there are no "virus cops" lurking around.

[Cobalt Violet]

37. Your last sentence is very true of the salon industry.

People who think it going to be safe are delusional. Salons will run out gowns but keep working because the book is full. Same with masks and gloves. Corners will be cut. Time is money. People will be squeezed in. Not enough time will be allocated to the new sanitation protocol. Work will need to be to work. No paid time off. Work sick or no money.

[Steelrolled]

18. It would be very interesting to know how many customers were infected

I'm not sure if they will publish that information. And of course, it will become a political point which will further pressure the numbers to be kept hidden. This is what happens when politics infects society.

[rocktivity]

23. If she's asymptomatic, she's infected and should be quarantined

Those 91 people should be tested as well, of course -- well, everyone in the state should be tested


rocktivity

[Cobalt Violet]

25. Yet my stupid state, Massachusetts, a known hot spot opens salons in phase 1.

There is no way this will end well.

[Initech]

28. No and it's not even June yet.

Just when I think this year can't get any worse, there are new surprises waiting in store.

[keithbvadu2]

26. All for the economy first.

No real healthcare for people getting sick on the job (and then die).

Republicans don't mind killing living babies.
Republicans want to deny adequate health care to ordinary Americans.
Republicans want Americans to go back to work in dangerous conditions.
Republicans want corporations to have legal immunity for workers who get sick and die doing dangerous jobs.
Republicans are against requiring safe working conditions for ordinary Americans.
Republicans are OK with killing off 2-3% of children who go back to school early.

All for the economy first.

[Initech]

27. What could go wrong?

[LibinMo]

31. This is the shop my husband and I have used

for hair cuts and his beard trims for the last few years. Since we're both senior citizens we have sheltered in place since early March. Now I'm going to let my hair grow until it's long enough to pull back in a pony tail!

Another employee at the same shop has tested positive -56 more possible exposures. I went to the Walmart grocery pickup this morning and less than 10% of the customers were wearing face masks. Crazy.

[pstokely]

39. meanwhile in the Ozarks

https://www.kansascity.com/news/rebuild/article242931921.html

[BigDemVoter]

40. Yikes. But I guess this is what happens in Pussy-Grabber Paradise.

My sister-in-law sent me a photo of some swine sitting outside a local bakery and harrassing customers going in with masks. Disgusting.

[Miigwech]

41. Yeah, but don't I look great with my new do?

Cough, cough, cough ... what's happening?

[LisaL]

42. Some might end up looking great in the coffin.

[Miigwech]

43. That is true.

[Bengus81]

44. Now up to 140 infected customers because of a second stylist............

And how many have they unknowingly infected? The first tech had gone to the DQ a time or two so it would be spread there. Oh the joys of getting this Nation OPEN eh Trump??

[RobinA]

46. Actually

testing positive, or exposed?

[Bengus81]

47. exposed and then find out in the coming days on positives.....

But...it won't set at only 140 exposed, it could be a thousand or more.