Tattooing and the COVID-19 virus
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- Category: Member Submitted Articles
- Published: Friday, 20 March 2020 19:53
Tattooing and viruses in general don’t go well together, which is why tattooing is typically a highly regulated profession. Our clients are our bread and butter, we have to look out for them and always keep their health and safety foremost in our minds. As states like New York go into lockdown mode, non-essential businesses are ordered shut. Most people who were wanting to get tattooed are putting it off for a few weeks, but not everyone. Some of you want a tattoo and you want it now. Spring break is eminent and you want your tattoo ready for the beach. Stop rolling your eyes, you probably know someone like this. If you do, share this article with them. Unless your state goes into lockdown mode or the government goes full Marshall Law, tattoo shops will likely be open for business somewhere out there in the midst of the pandemic. If they are not open now they will be in the near future. We won’t be shut in forever. Eventually we tattooists will have to learn to live with the COVID-19 virus just like we had to learn to live with the HIV virus.
As tattooers, it would be prudent to follow the guidelines of your local department of health or whatever official tattooing licensing body in your area. If you are tattooing in an unregulated area it would be a good idea to adhere to OSHA Blood borne Pathogens guidelines; however, with the COVID-19 virus there is more you need to be aware of.
The COVID-19 virus enters the body via the nose and mouth and attaches itself to lung tissue where it starts to infect the body. Unless an infected person sneezes or coughs in your face or in your immediate vicinity, the most likely means of transmission would be introducing the virus to ones face, specifically the mouth and nose, with unclean and contaminated hands.
- Be mindful and stop touching your face.
What complicates matters is some people, especially younger people, can experience very mild symptoms, yet carry the COVID-19 virus while unaware. Death rates have shown the virus is more deadly for the elderly, those with pre-existing conditions (such as diabetes and hypertension) and men. Studies have also shown that basic household cleaners like bleach solutions and Lysol are highly effective disinfectants against bacteria as well as viruses, including COVID-19. Vinegar and other homemade disinfectants have been shown to be less effective against bacteria and vinegar in particular has been show as ineffective against viruses. It has also been reported in main stream media that Chloroquine, an inexpensive malaria drug, can significantly increase recovery rates of those infected with the COVID-19 virus... just saying.
Sheltering in place may not be an option for those who must work and who are not on lockdown. Yet, following a few basic precautions could greatly decrease you or a loved ones exposure to the COVID-19 virus.
1. Wash your hands often; especially before and after tattooing sessions (as normal), also before and after meals (because yo Mama said so!). Wash when you get to the studio. Require your clients to wash their hands immediately when they enter the shop. Keep door knobs, drawer pulls and surface areas properly disinfected.
2. As tattooist, we are service providers dealing with bodily fluids; therefore, if we become ill with COVID-19 symptoms it would be incumbent upon us and in our client’s best interests to be screened by a doctor before returning to work. Do not go to work if you experience the following symptoms.
· Fever
· Cough
· Shortness of breath
These symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.
3. When confirming appointments or before tattooing a walk-in client ask them if they have been ill in the past two weeks. Ascertain if they have experienced COVID-19 symptoms or have been exposed to anyone that has been ill within the past two weeks. If they respond affirmatively, reschedule their appointment for the following month.
4. Communicate to your clients that the nature of tattooing requires a sterile environment. Explain that we must be extra cautious in this regard and implore them to help you strictly observe these extra precautions as well during these unprecedented times.
If we honestly and clearly explain these precautions to our clients we will all benefit. We can bring this virus under control quicker, our clients will understand and they will respect our professionalism. Happy and safe tattooing. To all those suffering from the coronavirus virus T.A.G. wishes you a full and speedy recovery.