Raimondo Gets Her Hair Done - While RI Hairdressers and Barbershops Are Closed - UPDATED
Tuesday, April 21, 2020
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo has closed hairdressers and barbershops in the state during the coronavirus crisis.
On Sunday, while taping national TV with John King on CNN at the "Insert Studios" on Olney Street in Providence, Raimondo had a special guest.
Betha Wood, the owner of Salon Bianco, took to Facebook to post that she was "hanging again with her bestie" -- with Raimondo in the background -- before the Governor's appearance on Inside Politics.
GET THE LATEST BREAKING NEWS HERE -- SIGN UP FOR GOLOCAL FREE DAILY EBLASTThe Governor's office had previously said on April 12 that the Governor "has not had her hair cut" during the coronavirus crisis.
Today, when asked about the hairdresser, her press office said when GoLocal presented to them the photo in the studio "wasn't a hair salon."
Chris Borghesani of Insert Studios the location in which Raimondo did the CNN taping, told GoLocal in an email on Tuesday night,"... it was not her choice. The hosting network typically provides hair and makeup for guests. That’s how it’s done."
Wood on Tuesday on Facebook wrote that she was “working for the studio, and consulting with [Raimondo] about what she needs.”
“She has all her own tools and makeup. I stand where you see me in this photo which is much more than 6 feet apart,” wrote Wood.
The executive order signed by Raimondo in March shuttering “in-person operations” of hairdressers was followed by an announcement that out-of-work hairdressers are eligible for unemployment assistance in the state.
Wood commented that she had applied for unemployment, but did not get it and was continuing to work
“This is my only income, as my unemployment isn’t working and I can’t seem to get it fixed. The little $$ I make from these random gigs is all I’m able to feed myself with at the moment. I got completely left out of PPP and EIDC loans. I don’t know if my business will survive at this time. But I really hope it does," she wrote.
Raimondo Says She Would Consider House Calls at Recent Press Conference
Raimondo said on Sunday during her press briefing that the state is at this stage only looking at allowing hairdressers to make house calls.
"Hairdressers, barbers, nail salons -- those are what we call 'close-in-contact businesses' -- to be honest, those are some of the toughest calls to make," she said.
"I would not expect hairdressers, barbers, and 'close-in-contact businesses' to be among the first to come back. Those are among the most difficult and dangerous," she said. "We’re thinking through right now what would be safer. Would it be safe to allow hairdressers to make appointments and go to people’s homes? Or would it be safer to keep them in a more controlled environment, but with a very limited work schedule with new regulations and mask-wearing and temperature taking?"
"I’m not sure — it’s top of mind for me. But just a reminder — hairdressers, barbers, gig economy workers, you are eligible for benefits you’re usually not [entitled to]," she said. "Until I can find a way to get you open safely…please file."
See the 8:35 mark of the Governor's comments on March 22, ordering the closing of all salons.
Updated Tuesday 7:09 PM, Updated Wednesday 12:38 PM
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