CDC Says Masks Likely Prevented Spread Of Coronavirus At Missouri Hair Salon

Update: With all the controversy surrounding face masks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released a new study proving just how effective face coverings can be in reducing the spread of COVID-19.

Months after two Missouri hairstylists tested positive for COVID-19, health officials closely tracked the 139 exposed customers and staff and offered free testing five days after their appointments. Of the 67 clients who volunteered to get tested, all of their test results came back negative, which the CDC says is likely the result of the infected stylists wearing masks. "Adherence to the community’s and company’s face-covering policy likely mitigated spread of SARS-CoV-2," read the report. "These findings support the role of source control in preventing transmission and can inform the development of public health policy during the COVID-19 pandemic."

The other 72 clients refused testing, but of the 101 out of 139 people that agreed to interviews, none reported signs or symptoms of COVID-19. While a only subset of clients were tested and asymptomatic clients could have been missed, this study serves as a useful point of reference in the effectiveness of wearing face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19. As businesses continue to open, it's important to remember that it's on all of us to seek the proper precautions.

It's been three weeks since Missouri's state governor allowed businesses to reopen amid the widespread Coronavirus pandemic. While the state hoped to restore business and boost its economy, store owners are grappling with the reality of continuing their work during an ongoing health crisis — especially when that work requires close contact with others.

Just this past weekend, the Springfield-Greene County Health Department announced that two hairstylists in a recently reopened Great Clips salon tested positive for COVID-19, exposing nearly 140 people, including staff and customers. According to city officials, one hairstylist from the chain salon exposed 84 clients after working for eight days, and a second stylist at the same location exposed 56 clients while working five days. Together, the two employees exposed seven coworkers.

Despite posted guidelines by the Missouri Board of Cosmetology stating that services should not be offered to or given to anyone who is sick or exhibiting signs of illness, both employees were symptomatic when they returned to work. "The 84 clients potentially directly exposed will be notified by the Health Department and be offered testing, as will seven coworkers," the Health Department said in the statement, adding that the two employees were wearing face coverings. As of Friday, one exposed person who underwent screening tested positive for the virus.

Great Clips responded to the news, telling NBC that safety is its top priority. "Both stylists are following medical advice and taking appropriate actions, and the local health department notified individuals who came in close contact with those stylists," a spokesperson said in a statement. "The franchise owners have closed the salon to undergo additional sanitization and deep cleaning, consistent with guidance from health officials."

The incident comes after Missouri included salons in its phase one reopening plan, which went into effect May 4. While states have had varied approaches to hair salons — California, for example, listed them in phase three — salon owners across the country have started petitioning to return to work while planning precautionary measures to protect clients and stylists. Some salons intend to require contactless temperature checks, a move that might have prevented these two employees from working in the first place.

Customers like Erik Chase, one of the exposed Missouri Great Clips clients, says businesses should take greater responsibility — especially when employees are experiencing symptoms. "All of this because someone wasn't responsible. They should've stayed home," he told NBC affiliate KYTV of Springfield. "I also think that the employer had a great responsibility that if one of their employees wasn't feeling well, especially with this pandemic, [they] should've sent their employee home."

Chase also revealed that after his haircut, he came in contact with about 15 to 20 people, adding, "I don't think that the story is ending any time soon." Ultimately, it's clear that it won't be business as usual as states reopen, and it's on everyone — from government officials to store owners to clients — to seek the proper precautions and prioritize health first.