'Coronavirus hairstyle': Affordable, trendy and creates awareness in East Africa
It costs about 50 U.S. cents to get the braids, while the average hairdo costs $3 to $5.
By AP |
Reuters
Martha Apisa, 12, and Stacy Ayuma, 8, pose for a photograph outside their house after plaiting with the 'coronavirus' hairstyle, designed to emulate the prickly appearance of the virus under a microscope, as a fashion statement against the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19), at Mama Brayo Beauty Salon within Kambi-Muru village of Kibera slums in Nairobi, Kenya.
The style's growing popularity is in part due to economic hardships linked to virus restrictions - it's cheap, mothers say - and to the goal of spreading awareness that the coronavirus is real.
The hairstyle had gone out of fashion in recent years as imported real and synthetic hair from India, China and Brazil began to flood the market and demand by local women increased. Pictures of the flowing or braided imported styles are tacked up in beauty salons across much of Africa.
But now, in a makeshift salon beside a busy road in Kibera, a slum in the heart of the Kenyan capital, Nairobi, 24-year-old hairdresser Sharon Refa braids young girls' hair into the antennae-like spikes that people call the "coronavirus hairstyle." Girls shift in the plastic chairs as she tugs at their scalps.
"Some grown-ups don't believe that the coronavirus is real, but then most young children appear keen to sanitise their hands and wear masks. So many adults do not do this, and that is why we came up with the corona hairstyle," Refa said, her face mask tucked under her chin.
Kenya's number of confirmed virus cases was nearing 700 as of Monday. With the widespread shortage of testing materials, however, the real number of cases could be higher. Health officials are especially worried about the possible spread of the virus in crowded slums.
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Margaret Andeya takes her daughter Gettrueth Ambio, 12, right, and her neighbor's daughter Jane Mbone, 7, left, back home after having their hair styled in the shape of the new coronavirus. Mothers like Margaret Andeya, who is struggling to make ends meet, said the coronavirus hairstyle suits her daughters' styling needs and her pocket. Virus-related restrictions have stifled the daily work for millions of people with little or no savings.
"This hairstyle is much more affordable for people like me who cannot afford to pay for the more expensive hairstyles out there and yet we want our kids to look stylish," Andeya said.
It costs 50 shillings, or about 50 U.S. cents, to get the braids while the average hairdo costs 300 to 500 shillings ($3 to $5). That's money most people in Kibera cannot afford at the moment.
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The technique used in braiding the coronavirus hairstyle is threading, which uses yarn instead of synthetic hair braids. This is the secret to making it affordable, residents said.
"COVID-19 has destroyed the economy, taken our jobs from us, and now money is scarce. I therefore decided to have my child's hair done up like this at an affordable 50 shillings, and she looks good," said 26-year-old Mariam Rashid.
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"The hairstyle also helps in communicating with the public about the virus."
Coronavirus Hit Global Economy: What India Can Learn From 26 Countries Around The World That Are Helping Employees, Employers
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The worst economic disaster in decades has seen governments in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa roll out special schemes to shore up employers’ capacity to pay salaries to their staff.
As India waits for the next stimulus package, here’s a look at how other countries have opened their fiscal purse strings.
The worst economic disaster in decades has seen governments in Europe, North and South America, Asia and Africa roll out special schemes to shore up employers’ capacity to pay salaries to their staff..
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Starting Monday for next 3 months all employers can get 80% govt funding for workers’ salaries of up to £2,500 a month.
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Income support for families of $1,200 for each adult and $500 for children, and $250 billion to boost unemployment insurance.
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Affected workers will receive full salary during lockdown. Bar on outright dismissals. Plus allowance for temporary workers and household employees.
€5 billion top up on wage supplementation scheme for those furloughed employees. Plus one-off payments to various other categories of workers.
€5 billion top up on wage supplementation scheme for those furloughed employees. Plus one-off payments to various other categories of workers.
Employees receive an allowance of approx 84% of their net salary, 100% for minimum-wage workers.
Employees receive an allowance of approx 84% of their net salary, 100% for minimum-wage workers.
Temporary living allowance for migrant workers; and some benefits for jobless.
Temporary living allowance for migrant workers; and some benefits for jobless.
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Central government relief checks to households in the bottom 70% income bracket (around 14 million households), of up to $820 per household.
Payment of 50% of the net minimum wage for three months for employees in large private sector companies and for employees who are currently not working.
Payment of 50% of the net minimum wage for three months for employees in large private sector companies and for employees who are currently not working.
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Government will cover 60% of salaries of Saudi staff in companies under stress for the next three months.
