…to expect everyone at the hairdresser’s to be Covid- compliant?

Just to repeat, someone I know tested negative in the morning,, but positive in the evening. It does not creep up on you.

The first time I returned too the hairdresser the Covid Security was good, face masks, shields and gloves were worn by the hairdresser and all bags and coats put in plastic bags. This year, it was almost back to normal. I time my haircuts with the infection rates, as I do cinema, theatre, eating out etc. I know of a Christmas Party with 20 people, all tested negative in the morning, one tested positive in the evening, one other person also caught it from same party. This Omicron is so easy to catch, unless you really really don’t mind the risk of getting it, and feel your hair is more important, then I would not go to an indoor situation where hardly any face mask wearing is practiced, with little or no ventilation, and hairdryer’s blowing virus particles about the salon. Wait till the end of January/February maybe if you can.

I noticed in Scotland the mask regulations changed in that non mask wearers are now obliged to prove they are exempt. Other nations need to step up and do the same. Your hairdresser has been very lax when you were in. Dread to think just how she is at other times.

Cabbie21 - You are not being unreasonable in wanting protection for yourself and others in the hairdresser's especially as they are often warm places with dryers working that help to circulate what's in the air. I would draw the line, however (not that you've mentioned that) at the suggestion that people can only go into such a place if they're vaccinated which is unfortunately something that some people will be asking for.

Masks are unfortunately false protection unless you’re going to wear an FFP3 one. The majority are just there as show. However, someone taking a lateral flow test is much better for your protection and you cannot see that. I resent wearing a mask that does nothing when I am regularly testing for my job and know I don’t have the virus and am not infectious. You have no idea whether someone has tested or not, so cannot judge someone else for their lack of mask wearing, nor do you know if they are exempt. I’m afraid the only answer is to go elsewhere. Personally I will not live in fear - I am triple jabbed and test regularly.

I don't think it's the virus itself that's airborne it's the droplets from an infected person. If the virus was truly airborne itself it would be spreading even more than it is and 2 metres would not help at all.

jeanie99 my husband went into hospital with gall bladder infection caught Covid-19 in there and never came out.

I don't understand why you didn't draw the attention of the maskless to the fact that they had "forgotten" to put on a mask.

If they had been offended, so what? It is surely wisest not to risk spreading infection. If they were deliberately disobeying the restrictions that are in place just now, I would either just have got up and left, or asked the hairdresser to finish my hair as quitckly as possible, pay and inform her that I would start looking for a hairdresser that obeyed the restrictions.

My home dresser also uses a visor and it's as much use as a chocolate teapot! You can see the spatters and vapour deposits both inside and outside the thing, she's not the sharpest tool in box and I've not caught anything but still, why are they so insensitive and stoopid?! It's as if money drives out all other considerations for a lot of trades people. Pity they've not realised that you can't take it with you and it won't bring someone back either!

My hairdresser has a salon attached to her home and only has 1 customer at a time as she works alone. She takes my temperature when I arrive, we both wear masks and we both sanitise our hands before I sit down. Only problem I have is that she got her 1st jab no problem, but now has listened to her family and won't get any more vaccinations. I have been going to her for over 20 years, but it has made me question will I still be happy going now.

Fortunately my salon continues to wear masks, sanitize etc, and insists that clients do the same. She did say I could be exempted as I'm asthmatic, but I prefer to wear a mask regardless of my asthma. However I know of at least two nearby salons who have completely abandoned all safety measures. Very foolish. My DIL (unvaxxed) visits one of them which is a bit of a worry.

My hairdresser, who works from home and had a serious covid infection last year, asked her pre Xmas appointment clients to take a lateral flow test before going to her house.
It wasn’t compulsory but because she didn’t want her family, or anyone else’s, to be as sick as she had been.
We were amazed at how many people refused and cancelled their appointments.

Yes, you are being unreasonable. I'm presuming you are double jabbed at least. The people in the hairdressers obviously feel happy and comfortable not wearing a mask.

If you are wearing yours, and have taken all the precautions YOU feel comfortable with, why are you still nervous. Honestly, this is getting ridiculous now.
Go to the hairdressers you love, it's important not to change things/places you like, keep your mask on if you feel the need. Otherwise, you are letting this damn thing win, time and time again.

I can't understand why people feel safer with a mask. On some of the packets it states they are not effective against viruses. So a waste of time really.
That said I do wear one in shops etc but find breathing difficult as I have a lung condition. I always thought this was psychological but GP confirmed I should be exempt as its caused by my lung condition. However I do still wear it in shops so others feel safer but I'm in there for a very short time only.

Excellent points Amalegra!

Study measuring filter efficiency. (2010)
academic.oup.com/annweh/article/54/7/789/202744: httos://www.cidrap.umn.edu/news.
perspective/2020/04/commentary-masks-all-covid-19-not-based-sound-data;
academic.oup.com/annweh/article/54/7/789/202744
Filter efficiency was measured across a wide range of small particle sizes (0.02 to 1 um) at 33 and 99 L/min.
All the cloth masks and materials had near zero efficiency at 0.3 um, a particle size that easily penetrates into the
lung (SARS-COV-2 is 0.125 um)
Efficiency for the entire range of particles
T-shirts
- 10%
Scarves - 10% to 20%
Cloth masks - 10% to 30%
Sweatshirts - 20% to 40%
Towels -
40%

Masks are only one tool in the box and those who class themselves as exempt don't have to wear one. Surely vaccinations, regular LFTs and good ventilation also play a part.
BTW, someone mentioned temperature checks: I've just recovered from Covid-19 and not once did I gave a raised temperature and neither do many others. On the other hand lots of other illnesses cause a raised temperature. Maybe time for .gov to review Covid-19 symptoms.

I wouldn’t go to the hairdresser or beautician if all staff and customers weren’t masked. A general observation by someone who travels a lot is that in small towns/villages people are masked but in towns less people comply (?). Living in an area that comprises mostly residents of middle of age or above mask wearing is very high.

Went to my HD yesterday in her beautiful 'vintage style' salon. Only my HD, the owner, and one other stylist with work stations very well spaced. Notice on door and inside re mask wearing. I did have my home made Christmas mask present on, unfortunately the straps were getting in the way as a little thick, so I was given a new one from a supply she keeps for anyone turning up unmasked. Felt relaxed as the rules being followed.

Think you should say something. Covid isn’t nice I’m currently experiencing it but so glad I’ve had vaccinations n booster must be so much worse without that protection.

I think you should have raised it at the time and (if your head wasn’t covered in foils!) left immediately. What these establishments don’t realise is that they’ll actually lose customers if they’re lax, rather than retain them. Eg if I had a choice of restaurant/hairdresser/shop where masks are worn and where they’re not, I’d choose the former.
The unknown woman wandering around unmasked is totally unacceptable in my view and it’s understandable that you’re now anxious.

Had a conversation with my hairdresser before Christmas at my last appointment. He told me that he has never stopped wearing a mask throughout and has no plans to stop wearing one anytime soon. Most customers were wearing masks that I observed - except one. When I queried it, he explained that this was a lady with dementia whose husband brought her every week for her regular salon hair appointment while he went and had a relaxing coffee elsewhere.

You also need to ensure they either have a ventilation system or that their doors and windows are open. The virus is airborne.

My #1DS had reaction to MMR at 14 months. he had high temperature and chucked up all over his pushchair in the middle of Chorley market!! Very embarrassing but afterwards he was right as rain. Better that than the diseases eh?

No you're not. She sounds like she's treating her place of work (for that's what it is) like a drop in centre! How unprofessional and not fair on her clients either. If you know her well maybe have a quiet word?