Prosper Hair Bar in Ballston is hosting a no cost COVID-19 vaccine clinic this Saturday (Oct 23).
The clinic is in partnership with the Arlington County Community Overall health Division and component of the “Pictures at the Shop” initiative, a White-House-backed effort to recruit Black-owned barbershops and salons to enable improve COVID-19 vaccination prices in the neighborhood.
The software trains barbers and stylists to dispel myths and misinformation about the COVID-19 vaccines, as very well as offers a $1,000 grant courtesy of magnificence treatment manufacturer SheaMoisture.
“We observed the lagging COVID-19 vaccination costs in Black, Latinx, and other minority communities,” Prosper Hair Bar owner and founder Ajia Minnis told ARLnow by means of email about why they are internet hosting the clinic. “Given the greater part of our shoppers arrive from these communities we considered we may possibly be perfectly positioned to help dispel myths, help persons sense a lot more at ease, and get extra folks vaccinated.”
The clinic is from 10 a.m. to midday and is open to all people 12 many years previous and older, in accordance with present-day guidelines. Only the Pfizer vaccine will be supplied. No appointments are desired and walk-ins are welcome.
Minnis says that they really achieved out to the county about holding the clinic following attending a system at the College of Maryland Center for Well being Fairness. It was there that she acquired about the role salons have historically played in their communities in expanding awareness of health challenges.
“As a community we need to have to provide just about every other and this is our modest way of providing back again to those people who give so significantly to us,” says Minnis. “We want to not just be great neighbors but we want to also be valuable property to the communities we like and provide.”
Fifty-9 per cent of Black inhabitants in Arlington that are eligible are fully vaccinated, in accordance to Virginia Division of Wellness facts. That’s equivalent to the white inhabitants in Arlington, but both equally are reduced than the Latino and Asian/Pacific Islander populations in the county.
Covid instances in Arlington have fluctuated in excess of the earlier thirty day period but are at this time down to just higher than 25 cases for every working day, on ordinary, in accordance to Virginia Dept. of Overall health info.
There continues to be a worry amongst some clinical specialists that a fifth Covid wave could transpire amid the unvaccinated in the winter season. This problems Minnis as well and is yet another cause why she made the decision to hold the clinic now, as temperatures begin to dip, she states.
Thrive Hair Bar opened in Ballston in August 2020 inside of Sola Salon Studios at 1010 N. Glebe Highway. A previous experienced dancer and choreographer who traveled the entire world, Minnis opened the store due to the fact of her experiences battling to obtain a area salon that was effectively-versed in her hair texture.
“Our goal isn’t just for us to give [clients] a hairstyle and they wander absent, it is truly to support educate girls on how to keep their hair and care for their pure hair,” Minnis informed ARLnow at the time.
She claims organization ownership has been good so much, introducing that she genuinely enjoys becoming in Ballston.
“It has a modern-day, specialist vibe with wonderful individuals but did not have plenty of salons that provide twists, braids and blowouts for all hair textures,” Minni explained.
