Having the ability to go to a salon appears to be a priority for some people in Texas despite safety measures to stop the spread of COVID-19. Last month a Texas mayor violated her own stay-at-home order to visit a nail salon, while this week the owner of Dallas’ Salon a La Mode has been sentenced to seven days in jail for refusing to close her business amid the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Shelley Luther reopened her salon in Dallas on April 24, a month after a stay-at-home order was issued in the county requiring all nonessential businesses to cease operation, BuzzFeed News reported. During an anti-lockdown protest, Luther tore up the cease-and-desist order she received, actions a judge called “selfish.” Luther received the letter on April 24, followed by a restraining order on April 28 for continuing to operate despite being ordered not to.
Luther’s hearing was broadcast on YouTube, and the decision came the same day Texas Gov. Greg Abbot announced salons and barbershops would be given permission to reopen with restrictions Friday, The Hill reported. Luther wore a face mask during the court hearing and used a phone to allow a court reporter, logged in via teleconference, to hear her comments; she was taken into custody after the hearing.
According to WFFAA, Dallas Judge Eric Moyé told Luther she had the “keys” in her hands and he would consider not ordering jail time if she admitted the severity of her actions and apologized to the officials whose order she defied. "You may utilize them [keys] now if you would like to take this opportunity to acknowledge that your actions were selfish, putting your interests ahead of those of the community in which you live," he said. "This court will consider the payment of a fine in lieu of the incarceration, which you have demonstrated you have so clearly earned."
However, Luther did not stand down. She refused to apologize and admit her actions were “selfish,” instead arguing that she had “no choice” but to stay open. "I have to disagree with you sir, when you say that I’m selfish because feeding my kids — is not selfish," Luther argued. "I have hair stylists that are going hungry because they’d rather feed their kids. So sir, if you think the law is more important than kids getting fed, then please go ahead with your decision but I am not going to shut the salon.”
Judge Moyé held Luther in criminal and civil contempt of court for failure to comply with a restraining order and ordered the salon to pay a fine of $500 for every day the company was in violation of the court’s mandate to stay closed. According to court records, the salon continued to stay open until the date of Luther’s hearing.
"The defiance of the Court’s Order was open, flagrant and intentional," Moyé wrote, according to court documents. "The Defendants, although having been given an opportunity to do so, have expressed no contrition, remorse or regret for their contemptuous action." The judge emphasized that Luther’s actions went against the betterment of society, referring to the number of increased cases the state has seen of COVID-19. According to BuzzFeed News, Dallas County has reported more than 4,000 positive cases of coronavirus, including 237 since Monday.
Luther has attended a number of anti-lockdown protests, garnering support from those like her and others who have deemed her an “American Hero.” The Oath Keepers, a militia style group, protested in front of the court building during her hearing. In addition, she has raised more than $22,000 in support of her cause on the fundraising site GoFundMe, BuzzFeed reported.
As states reopen, experts are warning of potential surges and increases in the transmission of COVID-19. But that isn’t stopping demonstrators from taking to the streets and demanding states reopen. Some anti-lockdown protesters seem to be in favor of the economy over life itself.
Despite planning to reopen the state and allowing some businesses to open Friday, Gov. Abbot acknowledged the risk in a private call with lawmakers, The Daily Beast reported: “How do we know reopening businesses won’t result in faster spread of more cases of COVID-19?” Abbott asked Friday during the call. “Listen, the fact of the matter is pretty much every scientific and medical report shows that whenever you have a reopening—whether you want to call it a reopening of businesses or of just a reopening of society—in the aftermath of something like this, it actually will lead to an increase and spread. It’s almost ipso facto.” He added that he knew the more people were outside, the greater possibility of a spread there was. A spokesperson confirmed the call was authentic on Tuesday, the news outlet said.