In his [del]in[/del]finite wisdom, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has decide we gotta open some shit (or die trying?). I’m anticipating possibly going to the hair colorist by the first of June. I’ve described below why this seems low-risk to me.
Gov. Greg Abbott to let restaurants, movie theaters and malls open with limited capacity Friday
For myself, I will not be going to retail stores, movie theaters, malls, museums, or libraries any time soon. When he clears barbershops, hair salons, bars, and gyms, I won’t be going to those either.
HOWEVER, my colorist Mary Lou doesn’t work in a wide-open salon with multiple operators and a waiting area. She works alone in a space she rents-- a separate room, really-- in a complex where each stylist is completely cut off from all the others with their own chairs, sinks, supplies, linens, etc. The door to her room closes completely. You pay her directly, i.e., there isn’t a reception area where you check in and pay on the way out. I never have to wait when I see her, because she is good at scheduling. There doesn’t have to be any interaction with anyone except her. She and I are good friends, and keep in touch by text. When the Gov gives the all-clear for hairdressers, I will likely go for an long-overdue appointment.
In the past six weeks, I’ve been to Whole Foods once, and have gotten three grocery deliveries and two takeout food deliveries. Otherwise, I haven’t been in the presence of another human being in all that time. With the setup Mary Lou has, I will be less exposed to other people than at the grocery store.
I generally get my hair cut elsewhere, but that is a regular open salon with multiple chairs and a waiting area. It’s also located in a part of town where a friend tells me, social distancing is not being followed rigorously. I don’t know when I’ll get back there-- it might be months. I can ask my colorist to cut my hair, too, although I’ve been loyal to this cutter-- don’t want to take a chance on her location, even if Unca Greg says it’s okay.
As things in your area start to open, what places will you visit, and what places will you continue to avoid?