With hair salons and barber shops closed in Regina due to the COVID-19 pandemic, some may be wondering what to do with their ever-growing shaggy locks.
For Dustin Browne executive director of the Street Culture Project, it’s a dilemma he’s turned into a fundraiser.
After doing just that, Browne said he got the idea to raise money through GoFundMe, encouraging others to donate the money normally spent on haircuts to local shelters.
“It’s to promote the great work the community is doing behind the scenes and the dedicated people that we don’t always think about or see, or recognize, but they are helping society’s most vulnerable,” Browne said.
“There’s a lot of folks out there that need those services, there have been a lot of services that have been cut off so the ones that are still out there are really, really crucial right now.”
Browne said one of the crucial items needed by shelters right now is personal protective equipment.
“Our physical distancing is very challenging in the shelter system. We are dealing with society’s most vulnerable and transient folks, so that puts our staff at risk and we are really focused on maintaining the safety of our staff right now.”
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Browne is encouraging people to post photos and videos of homemade haircuts, using the hashtag #shaveitforshelters.
But for those not wanting to part with their luscious locks, Browne said any donation will help. At the same time, he adds, the campaign is also bringing attention to shelter workers.
“They are on the frontline the same way as health-care workers and grocery store workers; there’s a lot of attention given to those folks right now,” Browne said. “So part of this is to raise awareness to the frontline community and shelter workers.”
Browne said the goal is to raise $5,000, which will be distributed to local shelters across the Queen City.
Questions about COVID-19? Here are some things you need to know:
Health officials caution against all international travel. Returning travellers across Canada are legally obligated to self-isolate for 14 days, beginning March 26, in case they develop symptoms and to prevent spreading the virus to others. In Saskatchewan, international travellers are already required to self-isolate for 14 days upon their return to the province.
Symptoms can include fever, cough and difficulty breathing — very similar to a cold or flu. Some people can develop a more severe illness. People most at risk of this include older adults and people with severe chronic medical conditions like heart, lung or kidney disease. If you develop symptoms, contact public health authorities.
To prevent the virus from spreading, experts recommend frequent handwashing and coughing into your sleeve. They also recommend minimizing contact with others, staying home as much as possible and maintaining a distance of two metres from other people if you go out.
For full COVID-19 coverage from Global News, click here.
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