Last night, 11/08/2020, Governor Herbert sent out an emergency alert detailing the stress our medical systems are about to be under, and how focus on our personal responsibility will help lighten the strain they're already experiencing. During this time we have been told to limit our social gatherings, with the state of Utah saying, "You should cancel plans with extended family and friends for the next two weeks. Telework if you can."

As students interacting directly with the public, we are putting each other and our clients at risk. This causes needless opportunities to spread the virus, especially when the school is already equipped to go online and allow us to telework, just as the state recommended.

Beyond this we as individuals feel put in a precarious situation, where we desire to further our education, but not at the cost of our own health and others. Mask rules and social distancing within the salon can only take us so far, especially when we have direct physical contact with our clientele. Teleworking ensures we aren't spreading it to each other, and by extant, not spreading it to our own family members within our own home that are at higher risk.

We are aware that schools and salons are still open and operating under previous covid restrictions, but we interact with such a large amount of people in our daily classes that it is frightening to think about how many of our classmates could become sick and create more strain on our communities resources. We say this not to be difficult, but out of concern not just for ourselves, but for those we care about. Thank you for taking the time to read,

select students of Avalon.