California had a reasonably decent response to COVID-19 months ago, and with a lot of hard work and sacrifice, we flattened the curve enough to allow a phased reopening of our businesses. A lot of us felt it was too fast, too soon, and the state seems to be recognizing that. In the last few days, we’ve seen many businesses closed, indoor dining suspended, and our governor and mayor have been warning us that we’re probably going to have to shelter in place again. (Thanks to everyone who refused to take this seriously for wasting the sacrifices we made for 100 days.)
So businesses that were reopened have to close again, because it’s a public safety issue.
The owner of Fades n’ Blades, in Burbank (suburb of Los Angeles) is refusing to heed the county and city orders to close salons and barbershops. And he is doing it in the most racist way you can imagine.
On social media, the barbershop owner stated, “Everyone can protest? I’m going to protest, too, now. Barber lives matter. We are going to stay open."
Sorry your business is hurting, dude. Everyone is hurting right now, as it turns out. But appropriating Black Lives Matter and anti-police brutality protests to justify putting the public’s health at risk is gross and indefensible.
