Dozens of protesters in Orange County called on California Governor Gavin Newsom to reopen the state’s nail salons.
They gathered at the Asian Garden Mall in Westminster decrying the Governor’s announcement to reopen hair salons, but not nail salons, reported Patch.
“Ever since the beginning, and prior to COVID-19, we’ve been prepared in regards to (personal protective equipment), and now purchasing shields, purchasing masks and the abundance of caution we’re taking,” salon owner Christie Nguyen told Patch. “We just feel like this is our time to reopen, and we don’t know why we haven’t been able to.”
Many remain upset at what they say is Newsom’s false statement that the first case of coronavirus in California came from a nail salon.
“He’s putting everything in the same basket. It’s not fair,” said another salon owner to KTLA about the Governor’s comments.
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Former State Senator Janet Nguyen (R) whose running for the State Assembly said “Governor Newsom has not only doubled down on his previous statement that nail salons were responsible for the spread of COVID-19 in California, he has never apologized for his comment or presented any evidence to prove his statement. Now it is very clear that he has specifically targeted nail salons that led to the closure of thousands of nail salons and put tens of thousands of nail technicians out of work in our state. Eighty percent of nail salon owners and workers in California are Vietnamese Americans and the nail salon industry is the largest employer for Vietnamese refugees in the state.” Nguyen made the statement in an op-ed she wrote for the OC Breeze.
A spokesperson for the Governor says talk with the nail salon industry will continue.
“The Newsom Administration continues to engage with stakeholders in the nail salon industry to gather feedback and participate in constructive dialogue about reopening — with a focus on public health and safety. We remain committed to keeping the lines of communication open as we look to modify our Stay at Home order.”
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