The Immunocompromise: staying open in the pandemic

Tim Bray has been cutting hair for over twenty years, his Algester shop in Brisbane’s south has been a place for men, young and old, to get a haircut from a local business owner.

Mr Bray, like many other small business owners, has had to adapt to continue to stay open, balancing the financial and physical risks of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many small businesses and their employees have been impacted by the pandemic, with the May unemployment rate being up 1.9 points as compared to the same time last year and the underemployment rate (the rate of which workers are not employed to a job which matches skills or experience) rising 4.5 points from the same time last year.

Roy Morgan estimated as of late March the total number of unemployed and underemployed Australians was 3.92 million people, with the ABS stating a comparison between May 2019 and May 2020 saw the participation rate drop 3.9 points (62.9%).

Data from May has shown the number of unemployed Australians is just below 2.1 million with a decrease of those unemployed from April to May of 69,000.

As someone who is immunocompromised due to his rheumatoid arthritis, Mr Bray could also be more seriously impacted by the virus which spreads easiest by being in close proximity to an infected individual.

Tim Bray (39) owner of Tim’s Classic Cuts Barber Shop in Algester has kept his doors open during the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking steps to limit exposure and follow new government guidelines. Mr Bray is immunocompromised.

The global pandemic had led to the creation of new rules which some hairdressers and barbers claimed limited their ability to operate. “We need the government now, to shut us down,” said Denis McFadden CEO of JustCuts in a YouTube post on March 25, 2020.

Potential exposure to the virus has always been a possibility for Mr Bray and he has adapted his businesses operations.

Mr Bray continued to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic while other businesses did shut their doors. 

“Not for too long honestly, not with the rent and overheads, all those costings, wouldn’t be able to last too long when you’re forced to shut,” said Mr Bray when asked how long he could shut his doors for.

Clients are now confronted with signage which enforces the shop policy of six people at a time in the shop (inclusive of staff).

“That was a very nervous situation constantly trying to keep up to date with what we can and can’t do and regulations and timeframes, so it was very concerning, but I was even talking to friends with barbershops what their ideas and thinking are.”

Tim Bray, Owner of Tim’s Classic Cuts Barber Shop

Mr Bray continues to cut hair as usual for clients, without gloves or masks which have become a common sight during the Pandemic, outdoor and socially distant seating is now a part of the shop’s operation.

Tim Bray (right) cuts Brett Glancy’s (left) hair on May 21 2020. Mr Glancy had been a client of Tim’s for 20 years. As a Pastry Chef, Mr Glancy had been unable to work; his workplace had closed their doors. “It’s [COVID-19] made everything tighter, but then, on the other hand, we’re not going out to spend the money either, so swings and roundabouts I guess,” said Mr Glancy about financial impacts of the pandemic.

In a statement, Minister for Environment and Member for Algester Leanne Enoch said the State Government’s $4 billion stimulus package had the largest stimulus package of all States and Territories.

The stimulus has included payroll tax relief, workers support packages, loan support and a $500 rebate on power bills.

The Queensland Government also has a dedicated small business hotline (1300 654 687) to provide financial advice and counselling support.

Restrictions are now beginning to ease, and Mr Bray said he thinks his industry will see a bounce back in business.

“I think probably at least two or three months for our industry to get back to normal, with other businesses I expect at least until Christmas or more, I think once kids go back to school and people slowly go back to work just get routine again…” said Mr Bray.