Hair salons, barber shops evaluate Phase 2 re-entry

CLINTON COUNTY | Deemed "non-essential" back in March, hair salon and barbershop professionals, members of the personal care industry, now consider re-entering the workforce with Phase 2 of the state's 4-phase plan. It remains to be seen how "corona-era" haircare compares to past career expectations for members of this segment of the cosmetology workforce. Prepping for the comeback Throughout the county, preparations are being made to usher hair salons and barbershops back into the world of operation. "Phasing in" requires eligible businesses to draft their own unique health and safety plans. Much of the area's "at-risk" business activities are concentrated in and around the central "city" areas, including parts of uptown and downtown Plattsburgh, where populations are larger than in the rest of the county, thus resulting in a comparatively more challenging effort to generally maintain safety restrictions. "It might be involving masks on both the hairstylist and the customer," City of Plattsburgh Mayor Colin Read recently commented when asked about the adoption of new processes. "It might mean a face shield as well." He also suggested it could involve salon patrons waiting in their vehicles rather than inside the salon, with a limitation on the number of individuals seen at a given time. The city's re-opening committee is keeping careful watch of the daily data surrounding cases, should phasing in create an uptick through transference, and the city received some funding to distribute PPE to personal care workers in the city. "Nobody should be forced to open, obviously, and a lot of people will probably choose not to open," said the mayor. "But if we do, I want to make sure that you have N-95 masks and face shields to protect you. And if we can protect [personal care workers], they can ultimately protect all the customers they come into contact with." He said there's more information to come on the distribution of the city's PPE supply before the projected May 30 reopening. A worker perspective With 6 years of local experience in her industry, Plattsburgh-based hairdresser Kylee Gonyea said she empathizes with clients who won't be getting the experience they look forward to when visiting a salon, which for many includes socializing and feeling pampered. "If you're a smaller business, it seems like it would be easier to meet new standards. Stations are already 6 feet apart at most places anyway." She thinks masks that wrap around individuals' ears would work for cutting short styles, but dealing with long hair could be a challenge, particularly if customers decide to wear N-95 masks, which completely wrap around an individual's head. Kylee Gonyea cleans and preps a past barber shop station after hours to accommodate clients in need of flexible scheduling, prior to pandemic closures. Photo by Alina Walentowicz The 24-year-old has provided haircare services throughout Plattsburgh since graduating from CV-TEC's 2-year cosmetology program in 2014 and earning her NYS Cosmetology License, which requires 1,000 hours of practical experience. Gonyea's first job was for a hair service corporation, which she said traditionally have more of a "women's feel"; she's since worked at an area barbershop catering to predominantly male clientele and has become a sole proprietor of her own services, managing all promotional efforts. Gonyea cited loyalty built with customers as positive for re-entry. "People like who they like. I love seeing my people in person. Sometimes I even feel like a part-time therapist," she added with a chuckle, saying she's enjoyed the job so much it's felt like a hobby at times. Honing transferable skills; being "essential" Gonyea, like many individuals throughout the state, only recently received the unemployment check she filed for at the time of closures, while others are still waiting for the state to process their paperwork. "If you're not working for a corporation, you're renting out a chair — and most people can't pay rent on a chair they're not using," she explained, adding that some of these personal care professionals might not be able to afford to return to their stations. Additionally, the experience of being considered "non-essential" was a self-esteem hit. She's also still concerned about the potential threat of community relapse that accompanies economic re-entry. "If this ever happens again, I can't just go another eight weeks without pay." In the meantime, she's explored a number of "essential" employment opportunities, such as becoming a Census Taker — though field operations were halted due to the pandemic. In the past 8 weeks, she's also gained her contact tracing certification through Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, hoping it could lead to a more immediate job for the remainder of the year. Beyond this, she has a part-time retail job lined up, but she's concerned about health insurance benefits and hopes for the day when she might gain some PTO. "I feel like I should be doing something 'essential' so I know I am safe and secure." She hopes to return to hairstyling with Phase 2, but on a more flexible basis that allows her to grow other professional experiences simultaneously in "the new normal". The future of cosmetology training, licensure Gonyea could do home hair visits, and has offered the service to some clients who have asked. With no proms this year, and weddings on hold or postponed, the landscape of cosmetology seems to be changing. "It's impossible to do someone's hair from 6 ft. away. I'm sure you've seen the memes," she laughed. The city's mayor even made reference to Edward Scissorhands in jest at a recent press conference, relaying the humor of distancing expectations for such a close-contact industry. With the potential for change on the horizon, Champlain Valley Technical Education & Careers (CV-TEC), a segment of Champlain Valley Educational Services (CVES) BOCES, is following guidance from the state concerning licensure, which hasn't changed much in the pandemic's wake, according to Director of Career & Technical Education (CTE) Michele Friedman. Graduates of CV-TEC's cosmetology program in 2020 will still be able to receive recommendations for their licensing exam through the state's Office of Professions, as teachers help students accomplish their 1,000 practical hours virtually. Photo by Alina Walentowicz The trade school's cosmetology program doesn't report significant adjustments for its fall semester, and the number of required hours to sit for the state exam through the Office of Professions hasn't been altered, but their team plans to follow through with details and guidance from the state and regional experts. Friedman said the school is hopeful about what seems to be a widespread realization that trade and technical education for careers like cosmetology is more "essential" than ever. "It's quite remarkable what our educators have been able to accomplish virtually, particularly with our programs tied to licensure," she informed The Sun, saying she is "over-the-moon proud" of CV-TEC's teaching experts. "Students are really engaged; for our exiting students in the two-year cosmetology program, their recommendations to sit for the exam won't be interrupted." To recent graduates of the program heading into the workforce amidst a pandemic, Gonyea advises, "Stick with it. This is a really great thing to have in your back pocket — haircutting will never go away. Get your experience working with the public and practicing communication. Maybe you're not 'deemed-essential' as a worker, but the skills you're learning really are."

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Hair salons, barber shops evaluate Phase 2 re-entry

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