’I’m putting everybody at risk.’ Hairdresser at local nursing home concerned she’s endangering residents

ROSS TOWNSHIP, Pa. — A hairdresser at a local nursing home says she feels like the only person in Pennsylvania who is cutting hair.

“I feel like I’m endangering the residents, I’m endangering myself. I feel like I’m putting everybody at risk," she told Channel 11′s Amy Hudak.

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The beautician at Kane Ross Community Living Center says every day she’s cutting 10-15 residents’ hair without gloves and using a shared cape. Sometimes she even goes into the units.

“I watch the news and hear one thing. I go to work and do the opposite,” she said.

She fears losing her job for speaking out so we're not using her name.

With hair salons in the state forced to close indefinitely because of COVID-19, she doesn’t understand why the rules don’t apply to her, and the most vulnerable people in the community she’s in close personal contact with.

“I feel like we’re going against the governor and president. I feel like we’re doing something unlawful,” she said.

She's also fearful because of what's happening at the Kane facility in Glen Hazel, which is also owned and operated by Allegheny County.

Thirty residents and 19 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19. Another four residents have died.

The hairdresser at that facility is now working in another capacity for everyone's safety.

“No beautician is working! Are we above the law,we’re allowed to keep doing this? Nobody else in the world is,” she said.

Allegheny County says with nursing homes "the rules are different." Staff are responsible for "ensuring the personal hygiene of residents who cannot care for themselves. That includes haircuts and shaves."

“I'm so scared I don't want to go, I don't want to do it,” she said.

There are currently zero positive cases reported at Kane’s locations in Scott, Ross or McKeesport. There are now strict measures in place at all four facilities to take the temperatures of staff before and after their shift, and for residents at every shift change.

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