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?

I don’t know what the guidance is for hairdressers but the problem is that the antibodies test doesn’t prove immunity maybe. And your job makes you a higher risk?

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 do think this might have confused the matter. The person making bookings at a hair salon is quite likely to be quite junior so I can see why they'd err on the side of caution rather than risk getting it wrong, especially as I'd guess they can afford to be picky with customers at the moment.

It does serve as a warning that if you do have an antibody test, you are discreet about whom you reveal the information to, especially since we don't yet know the likelihood of long term issues arising from infection and businesses / insurers will always err on the side of caution.

How strange. I've not experienced that from my hairdresser, but then I don't work with in a frontline role.

I think they've got confused like Frazzled suggested.

It was the owner that responded back to me with the decision.
I'm only occasionally in contact with covid-19 positive patients last week there was only one on my ward. And she wasn't showing symptoms - she was admitted into hospital with stomach pain which turned out to be appendicitis.

Oh well lesson learnt I won't be telling anybody I'm a nurse anytime soon.

I had a similar but different experience with nursery-
Was told that if I have had exposure to anyone covid positive in the last 2 weeks my daughter cannot attend nursery.
Well that's a problem because I am an a&e doctor and I've been seeing a lot of covid!

Could it be the coming into contact with patients bit they are referring to?

That was my thought too. Imagine if you passed it on to a hairdresser who then passed on to their clients. That business would be toast.

Is this some weird insurance thing ?

Take a leaf out of Boris's book.

Lie.

Hairdresser is not thick - they have understood the science behind the current government advice. We do not know that the presence of antibodies is durable, or is sufficient to ensure someone is immune. It should never be the reason to abandon protective and distancing measures.

I guess the decision is based on potential for occupational exposure.

If people get into the habit of lying about their exposure to secure goods/services, then that does not bode well for wider infection control.

From current government page on antibody tests:

"There is no strong evidence yet to suggest that those who have had the virus develop long-lasting immunity which would prevent them from getting the virus again"

"Therefore, the value of antibody tests is currently limited to answering the question of whether someone has had the virus or not, and providing data and a greater understanding on the spread of the virus"

"While the results of an antibody test will not allow people to make any changes to their behaviour, such as easing social distancing measures, there’s clear value in knowing whether NHS and care workers and hospital patients and care home residents have had the virus, and in collecting data on the test results"

Nuts.

If people get into the habit of lying about their exposure to secure goods/services, then that does not bode well for wider infection control.

That horse has well and truly bolted, I'm afraid.

They don't understand, do they. And if they don't understand either the regulations or testing then they are hardly likely to understand GDPR either. What are they doing with the data they are collecting?

"Bonkers! Surely you're the customers they should be welcoming with open arms!"
What, customers who come into contact with Covid patients?

My hairdresser knows I tested positive and have a positive antibody test and she’s happy for me to see her. I also have contact with covid cases at work as I’m a paramedic which she also knows.

@NotEverythingIsBlackandWhite yes thats exactly what I was saying. Spot on.

As @nether has stated, the Govt and scientists do not know if having antibodies confers immunity in the case of Covid-19 or, if it does, how long that lasts.

Just because antibodies confers immunity in other diseases, it doesn't automatically follow that it does with this new Coronavirus. It may do it it may not.

I wouldn't blame a hairdresser, in the circumstances, for being very cautious.

I think it's likely the coming into contact with covid patients bit, that they think it makes you higher risk of spreading. Which, to be fair to them, it does, even though you are taking all the precautions. I would be amazed if the government guidelines did mean this though - essentially saying that nhs workers are to be discriminated against?
Maybe they are interpreting it more as if you'd said someone in your household who you were in contact with had covid?

@NurseButtercup, my intake is somewhat similar. I wouldn’t be allowed to have a client who is living with someone with Covid. They should be self isolating anyway.
I also have the question if people have been tested positive with Covid.

They ARE standard questions. But I suspect they have taken a really strict understanding of them that doesn’t make sense.

I think they have become mixed up.... they probably think you currently have covid not that you had it a while ago and recovered...

Its irrelevent whether antibodies mean long term immunity or not.

Testing positive for antibodies doesnt mean OP has covid, which seems to be what the hairdresser is saying. Its bonkers to prevent anyone whos ever had corona going to the hairdressers.

They have either misunderstood or dont want you in there because you are a nurse.

I was going to post the same as @AnyFucker

At the moment going to the hairdresser seems like more hassle than its worth.

Also obviously NHS workers are going to come in to contact with Covid patients and will wear PPE. We can't expect them to do this, which we all need them to, and then try to deny them access to services they need. I am especially thinking of the A&E doctor whose nursery doesn't want to let her child come back.

You've got antibodies, you're almost certainly immune

For now. How long that immunity lasts is another matter.

@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?

have they misunderstood and think you mean you have tested positive for covid

antibody tests are a relatively new thing and not rolled to the general public so maybe what they are/ mean is not understood properly

maybe call them?

bet you are pleased to have a positive though!

There is no reason to think that anyone has misunderstood anything.

It is entirely correct to disregard an antibody test when it comes to deciding risk for an activity. Indeed all guidance tells you that you must disregard it.

Because the quality and the duration is unknown. People lose that munity (2/3 of them will have no immunity in a matter of weeks)

The people who are misunderstanding are those who think that the antibody test means any reliable form of immunity at all, based on the current state of understanding.

That may change, but until then the hairdresser actied correctly in ignoring it.