Please note the story you’re reading was published more than a day ago. COVID-19 news and recommendations change fast: Read the latest here to stay up-to-date. We’ve lifted our paywall on all essential news and updates about the coronavirus.
I’m sorry to confirm that no, your third cartilage piercing and bikini wax are not, in fact, “essential” services during a pandemic. Today, New York governor Andrew Cuomo ordered that all barbershops, hair and nail salons, piercing shops, tattoo parlors, hair-removal services, and other personal-care services will close indefinitely starting Saturday night to fight the spread of the coronavirus.
The order follows yesterday’s closure of retail shopping malls, amusement parks, and bowling alleys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania. While the news may be upsetting for the acrylics growing further and further from the cuticles with each never-ending day, it’s extremely troubling for salon workers in the beauty space who were already worried with making ends meet, considering social-distancing and staying 6 feet from other people in public goes against their entire livelihoods.
While your unibrow, roots, and pubes come out of hiding and you attempt to cut your own hair, trim your own bangs, and paint your own nails (instead of biting them) at home, consider buying gift cards or pre-paying for future services at your favorite salon or spa to provide them with some immediate cashflow.