LANSING, MI (WHTC-AM/FM) – The state’s beauticians and barbers are apparently not happy with Governor Gretchen Whitmer right now.
Michigan remains the only state that still prohibits the hair cutting and styling industry, along with those who handle nails, tattoos and other such personal services, from reopening in any way, shape or form in the wake of the COVID 19 situation. In pulling back from the “Safer at Home” executive order, the Governor said that “we got to follow the data” in keeping the barber shops and salons in Michigan closed, although those in neighboring states have reopened.
“If you’re like me (and) you need a haircut desperately, a couple more weeks of this, and we may be back to a place where we are able to do that safely,“ Whitmer said during a Monday press briefing. “If you haven’t resorted to (going to Ohio), Google how to do a haircut, or throw your hair in a ponytail or curl it, get though the next couple of weeks, and we can resume some of those things.”
That reference to Google infuriated a group of more than two dozen cosmetologists, spa and barber shops owners calling itself “Safe Salons for Michigan.” “As if being closed wasn’t impossible enough, Governor Whitmer made matters worse by disrespecting Michigan’s highly-trained licensed cosmetologists in saying that people can simply Google how to do a haircut,” said Kevin Lent, president of BAMF X2, LLC and member of Safe Salons for Michigan in a statement. “Michigan’s licensed cosmologists and barbers are well-trained, educated professionals who have spent years honing their abilities. On behalf of the entire salon industry, we ask Governor Whitmer for an apology.”
Safe Salons last week had sent the Governor a “comprehensive, eight-pillar plan” to reopen their industry.
