Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is facing backlash from the salon industry in the state after she suggested people start researching how to cut their own hair during the coronavirus pandemic.
After violent protests swept the country for the sixth straight night over the police custody death of George Floyd, Ms. Whitmer stressed Monday that Michiganders needed to maintain proper social distancing to protect themselves and others from getting sick.
“If you’re one of those people that’s going to Ohio [for a haircut], I hope and pray that you are doing your part not to bring COVID-19 home,” she said. “If you haven’t resorted to that, Google how to do a haircut, or throw your hair in a ponytail or curl it and get through the next couple of weeks so we can resume some of these things.”
Ms. Whitmer announced Monday that the entire state would soon move to phase 4 of reopening, which includes dine-in bars and restaurants and retail stores but excludes salons and barbershops.
“I’m absolutely flabbergasted the way this has been progressing that restaurants are opening before salons,” said Mike Sarafa, of the Alline Group representing 80 Michigan salons, FOX 2 reported.
Members of the Safe Salons for Michigan Coalition testified Tuesday before the Joint Select Committee on the COVID-19 Pandemic in Lansing, where they demanded that the governor apologize and lift the salon lockdown.
Hair salons will still not be open, even though the stay-at-home order has been lifted. Governor Whitmer suggests people Google how to cut hair. Read More: https://t.co/Y78IJOJAnM pic.twitter.com/5nY400hblt
— Mid-Michigan NOW (@midmichigannow) June 1, 2020
