Angry business owner shares her thoughts on lockdown

One of our neighbours here in Mullingar is very annoyed today.

She’s aiming her ire at the government in particular.

She is Máirín Gallagher, owner of First Floor Hair and Beauty Studio, and here are her thoughts in her own words.

Today is the 21st October 2020, and as a business owner and employer for almost 35 years, I am extremely angry. Our industry has been targeted to go into lockdown once again.

Speaking for my own business, I have to date spent almost €3,000 on PPE equipment. These measures were put in place so that we could reopen and feel safe delivering our treatments, and more importantly that our clients would feel comfortable and safe having treatments.

On entering our salon, every one has to sign the COVID form and everyone’s temperature is taken. Their coats are removed and placed in a bag, and the only belonging they can take into the salon is their handbag. There are protective screens everywhere, with a distance of 2.5 meters kept between stations. I have wall mounted hand sanitizers all over the studio. All the surfaces are either leather or plastic and these are constantly wiped down with disinfectant between clients!

No one is allowed into the studio without wearing a mask. All these measures were put in place to comply with government rules so we could operate safely. Now we have to close. WHY???

We have been more than compliant with HSE guidelines.

We are not considered an essential service. To me, and I’m sure every woman and man in Ireland would agree, this IS an essential service. What do the government want us to do? Go back to the Stone Age? Where we all let our hair go wild and grey while going out of our minds with the stress of looking like that!!

How is a shop that sells curtains and bedding deemed an essential service by the government?? PLEASE EXPLAIN??

How is GAA an essential service where men go out to a field, and run around sweating ,coughing and spluttering wearing no masks bumping into each other??? It doesn’t make sense. It just proves what a corrupt government we have, ruled by money and power! And then to make matters worse they win the game and they all go out in “close knit” bubbles partying. And if there’s a complaint about a party the Garda cannot fine anybody unless the door is opened and they’re welcomed into the party!! If the Garda are not invited in then of course they could sit outside the house all night at tax payers expense!!!

It seems to me that the government has targeted areas of our community that are not only necessary for mental health but also bring pleasure to people, for example; Gyms - Barbers - Hair and Beauty Salons and Clothing shops. I understand cafes and restaurants been closed due to the fact that it would not be viable to open with 15 people sitting outside during an Irish winter! What planet has this government just stepped off!!!

It’s like the Hens running the Hen House!!!

There are far more people dying from cancer and suicide per month than ever did from COVID. I understand that this is a pandemic and yes people are dying. But in August more people died from suicide in one county than the number of deaths from COVID in the whole country.

If you agree that Hair and Beauty salons should be open, as an essential service, please share.

We really need to get our point across to the government.

I want to thank my amazing staff and all my wonderful clients.

Please stay safe until we meet again❤️

Máirín Gallagher

Owner First Floor Hair and Beauty Studio.