Hairdressers turning down clients that have tested positive to covid-19

[NurseButtercup]

I'm a nurse and I've worked throughout the pandemic. I haven't taken any time off, I haven't seen friends or family because bi followed the self isolating rules and thankfully I didn't fall ill.

I agreed to take the antibody test - which came back positive. I was surprised because well I haven't had any symptoms and I thought I'd used all the appropriate PPE.

I tried to book an appointment online with my hairdresser's for week beginning 4th July. They asked me to complete a questionnaire about covid-19.

I disclosed that I have tested positive for covid-19 via the antibody test. And that I occasionally come into contact with patients with covid-19.

They sent me an email advising that I'm not allowed to come into the salon, because of what I've disclosed. They are following government guidelines and they need to minimise the risk of spreading infection to their other clients and members of staff.

They won't share the government guidelines that state that anybody testing positive to covid-19 isn't allowed to enter their salon. I suspect it doesn't say this because then technically I won't be able to enter any retail premises either.

I've managed to find someone else so I'm ok. But I'm annoyed, has anybody else had a similar experience?

What a mess! 🌎

Bonkers! Surely you're the customers they should be welcoming with open arms!

Sorry, I have nothing positive to add or share. We've all been taking a shot at trimming and cutting each other's hair in my household!

Could it be the coming into contact with patients bit they are referring to? Not that that would make it any better but maybe they are worried you could pass it on.

No apologies necessary I'll be able to laugh about it in a few weeks. It's their loss. I mainly posted to see if anybody else had the same experience

I've tested positive for antibodies and won't be now sharing that info with my hairdresser. Surely it means I'm less of a risk.
She knows I'm a nurse. Appt 4th July but no questionnaire as yet. Interesting.

Surely the coming into contact with patients bit is the risk.

You've got antibodies, you're almost certainly immune and therefore pose much less of a risk than the majority of their customers. Complete madness!

@usernotfound0000

I wear PPE including gloves and mask with all patients.
I wash my hands before putting on gloves and after removing my gloves.
I change out of my uniform before I leave the hospital.
I have a shower as soon as I get home and boil wash my uniform.
I'm taking so many precautions to minimize spreading the infarction outside of the hospital.

And I understand that salons have to conduct a deep clean after each client, all staff must wear mask and gloves and they cannot have clients sitting and waiting. The risk of me spreading the disease is so minimal with all these precautions in place.

Plus I'm not showing any symptoms.

Have they got mixed up about what a positive antibody test means?
As in, do they think it’s the test for whether you’ve currently got Covid19 and are therefore contagious if you’re testing positive?

Either it's the coming into contact with patients bit - which I agree isn't totally logical but I can at least see the rationale - or they just do not understand what an antibody test is.

Maybe they have misunderstood and think that you mean you are currently positive for CV-19.

I totally understand that, but maybe they are just thinking 'oh she is in contact, she could pass it on'. I'm not justiying their decision, but that would make more sense than turning away people who have tested positive.

Are they very clear that you have antibodies which means you don't currently have it. You have had it in the past. I'm not convinced everyone is up to date and informed of the difference.

I have a lot of acquaintances who would hear "I've tested positive for covid-19..." And they wouldn't listen to the rest of the sentence. You need to start with "I've had covid-19 a while ago, confirmed with an antibody test". That way the start of your sentence (the bit people are paying attention to) is that you've already had it and are no longer a risk.

@cptartapp

I'm not telling anyone else after this.
I need to go to the dentist, podiatrist. I was hoping to book a massage and get my eyebrows done as well.

I'll tell the dentist because they are healthcare professionals, so they will understand and be more sensible but nobody else is going to know.

I expect your hairdresser doesn't understand the difference in testing positive for Coronavirus and testing positive for Coronavirus antibodies.

I would suggest that you call her and find out their reasons so you can explain what your test results actually mean. I'd regard someone with antibodies as probably safer than someone without.

You have contact with covid patients and therefore you pose a higher risk

@MsAwesomeDragon

Yes I possibly over explained, whivh is part of my frustration. I started by stating I had the antibody test and explained what the test was. And then said I tested positive for covid-19. And I then explained that it means I've had it at some point. I then used the explanation that a Dr gave me about how I will have antibodies for the flu and chickenpox because I've had both of those at some stage.

I think they have maybe got a bit confused.

I am still waiting to hear from my hairdresser which is strange. I have messaged him via messenger on FB but I thought he would have been in touch before now.

What a positive antibody test means in terms of immunity is not well established, and levels of antibodies can drop within just a few weeks.

The official guidance is that antibody status should not be a factor one way or the other in deciding contacts and activities

That you remain in regular contact with Covid patients (and the antibody test is officially meaningless) is likely to be the sticking point

My hairdresser has asked that I don’t come if I have tested positive for covid 19 in last two weeks OR have symptoms which makes sense. I think they are just confused with what an antibody test means.

I think they've misunderstood and think you are positive now.

Find another hairdresser.

I think they are a bit thick

I think that they might be confused or that it might be that you come into contact with patients who have covid that has made them say no.

Isn't it up to them?

Beauty salons are still shut FYI