A daily look at how Hongkongers are dealing with Sars. Today we speak to Jenny Mak Chun-yee, a beautician at a spa in Central.
As beauticians we are used to wearing masks when doing facials and massages. But since Sars we switched from thin masks to surgical masks to protect both parties. I also wash my hands more often - every time I touch something. This has dried out my hands so I have to do more treatments to make up for it.
At the spa everything is disinfected with alcohol. Aromatherapy oils which can kill germs - such as lavender, tea tree, cajuput, thyme and lemongrass - are also sprayed around the spa. When we first started doing that our clients asked why the place smelled different. After I explained they started buying the aromatherapy oils to use at home. Sales of the oils doubled and we have run out of stocks of a few of them.
I thought that our business would go down because of the outbreak, but actually it didn't really affect us. A lot of teenagers came in for treatments because they were bored and had time on their hands. Many expatriate clients flew back to their own countries but people who were stuck in Hong Kong came to the spa as a treat.
Of course, I am worried about getting Sars. As soon as I get home at the end of the day I throw my clothes in the wash, clean my hands, jump in the shower and wash my hair. I carry an alcohol spray with me all the time as well as alcohol pads. I make sure to clean the floors and doors at home with a solution of bleach.
I try to avoid crowded places and go to parks and beaches instead. I don't shop as much anymore. I am worried but I have done my part. But I worry because my parents don't wear masks.
