What to Expect With the Future of COVID
One of my favorite sayings that I have stumbled across since this virus hit our shores is this: COVID-19 did not break America, it just showed what was already broken. In today’s day and age, we need to stop thinking about “what if” a natural disaster occurs but more so “when” it will occur. In this instance, a global pandemic unlike anything we’ve ever seen. Like most things in this world, there are risks involved in nearly every aspect of our lives, including the beauty industry. Health and Public Safety has always been at the forefront of our training and licensing procedures but is it enough to prepare for something of this magnitude? As devastating as this pandemic has been, I think it has taught us all that we need to embrace the risks in this profession and be prepared in both our process and the rules that dictate those processes. In other words, it’s okay to be overprepared! With sanitation, safety, and public health being examined more than ever, hopefully this pandemic has shed some light on what was already “broken” and encouraged beauty professionals to re-examine some of their protocols and measurements.
COVID has brought on a lot of uncertainties but one thing that seems to be certain is that it is here to stay. For the foreseeable future, anyways. Our guidance, statistics, and forecasting of a vaccine change almost daily but I think it’s safe to say that we are not through with this pandemic and probably won’t be for months to come. According to an article written by Women’s Health, it is impossible to predict the full outcome and the potential longevity of this virus because it is truly unlike anything we have ever seen. However, to date, most pandemics have been deemed to last any between 12- 36 months. Since returning to the salon/ spa, most of us have implemented strict infection control procedures which can include everything from tedious disinfection processes to PPE and social distancing. Fortunately for the beauty world, state boards across the country have been requiring proper disinfection processes long before we had ever heard the word “Coronavirus”. State regulations include that all hard non-porous surfaces to be disinfected with approved detergents and methods so in a way, we’ve been preparing for a virus like this for years!
Another thing that we can be sure of is that even after COVID is long gone, these health and safety practices that we have started implementing will be carried out into our daily lives. Not necessarily in the sense that we will all still be wearing face coverings and staying 6 feet apart from strangers (although, not a bad idea!), but our sanitation and personal health procedures will become a part of our daily routine. From washing our hands, wiping down surfaces, sneezing and coughing into our elbows, these are all procedures that we are burning into muscle memory and they’re here to stay!
Aside from the new health and safety practices, COVID-19 has brought on an onslaught of other positive outcomes. From a balanced environment, innovation, connectedness, new found gratitude, corporate responsibility, and reinvented education, there has been a lot of positive side effects that have been brought to the forefront that I think we forget to appreciate. Though this virus has been nothing short but devastating both for our economy and our families, it has allowed us all the opportunity to grow and show some extra appreciation towards those who mean most. A smile is not longer just a smile anymore. And a hug holds more love and appreciation than ever before. To learn more about what Creative Images is doing to help slow the spread of COVID, head on over to our Press Releases page or check out our appearance on ABC’s Living Dayton segment!
Stay safe and stay warm, love bugs. Please be sure to head on over to our calendar to stay up-to-date on our holiday closings!
