PIVOT Questions California Governor’s Statement about First Covid-19 in Nail Salon

May 9, 2020

PIVOT - the Progressive Vietnamese American Organization - has great concerns with California Governor Gavin Newsom’s statement that the first known Covid-19 community spread was from a nail salon. We acknowledge the need for accurate information for public health concerns and the importance of pointing out the risks to workers and customers. However, singling out a particular type of business, one with a large number of Asian American owners and workers, may further increase the pandemic’s economic effects on minority-owned businesses, inflame the already heightened level of anti-Asian American racism, and threaten the livelihood of nail salon owners and workers. 

As Vietnamese Americans and allies, we are very familiar with this service industry. Many of our family members work in nail salons - our mothers, our sisters, our aunties, our fathers, our brothers, and our uncles. In California, over two-thirds of the 400,000 licensed manicurists and cosmetologists are Vietnamese Americans. It is our economic cornerstone. 

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, nail salons were forced to close. This workforce, which was already vulnerable due to the need to use nail care products that often contain harmful chemicals, was greatly impacted, with many workers and owners facing unemployment. Despite the hardships, they responded with compassion by donating their masks and gloves to community health centers and hospitals to protect health care workers. Nail salon owners and workers were not only keenly aware that our health and well-being are all connected but acted decisively to protect all of us.

The governor made his statement in response to a question about why nail salons are not among the businesses to open in the next phase. By definition of community spread, we are perplexed as to how any specific location can be definitively pinpointed. Furthermore, the governor could have explained the policy considerations behind the State's decisions on these businesses without unnecessarily publicizing information that could contribute to further anti-Asian American hate incidents and economic hardship to small businesses. Any statements such as this one, even when not made with ill intent, can have detrimental repercussions and unintended consequences on an already highly vulnerable population. 

PIVOT recognizes and applauds Governor Newsom’s outstanding leadership in keeping California safe. We also stand with nail salon workers and owners. During these difficult times, great leaders need to avoid actions and statements that can be construed as being divisive or scapegoating. We hope that Governor Newsom and the California state government will be sensitive to the needs of our different populations and work with our community to ensure the health and economic well-being of all Californians.