To Flowbee or not to Flowbee
Tuesday, Apr 7, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* WGN TV…
Photos surfaced over the weekend showing the mayor after she got a haircut amid the state’s stay-at-home orders.
A woman posted photos on Facebook Sunday saying she “had the pleasure of giving Mayor [Lori] Lightfoot a hair trim.”
In the photos, the mayor is standing next to the woman and they are not standing six feet apart — plus, neither one was wearing a mask.[…]
Beauty and hair salons are among the many businesses closed to the public amid the statewide orders.
* Fox 32…
“I’m the public face of this city and you know, I’m a person who [takes] personal hygiene very seriously and I felt like I needed to have a haircut,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “So I got a haircut.”
Part of the criticism came from the fact that the mayor had called on people not to go out and get their hair done in one of her “Stay Home, Save Lives” public service announcements.
* Tribune…
“I think what really people want to talk about is, we’re talking about people dying here. We’re talking about significant health disparities. I think that’s what people care most about,” Lightfoot said.
In response to a follow-up question, she said, “The woman who cut my hair had a mask and gloves on so we are, I am practicing what I’m preaching.”
A reporter asked the mayor about one of her “stay home, save lives” public service announcements where Lightfoot admonishes an off-screen person by saying, “Getting your roots done is not essential.”
Asked about that, a visibly annoyed Lightfoot said, “I’m the public face of this city. I’m on national media and I’m out in the public eye.
* Sun-Times…
The mayor grew somewhat impatient when asked again about her mixed message to men and women across the city who don’t like the way they look after weeks without a haircut.
“I’ll answer this again. I’m the public face of this city. I’m on national media. And I’m out in the public eye. I take my personal hygiene very seriously. I felt like I needed to have a haircut. I’m not able to do that myself. So, I got a haircut. Want to talk more about that?” the mayor said.
Pool reporter Craig Wall of Channel 7 replied, “No. I think you answered the question. Thank you.”
* WBBM Radio…
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker says he doesn’t question the mayor’s decision. As for him, he said he hasn’t had a haircut since he issued his statewide “stay-at-home” order last month, which is now effective through April.
“I actually feel like I’m getting a little shaggy. I’m going to turn into a hippie at some point here–my hair grows pretty fast,” Pritzker said Monday during a question-and-answer period at his latest COVID-19 briefing.
Pritzker, who has a full shock of brown hair, joked he may need to learn how to use a Flowbee, a do-it-yourself haircutting system that relies on the use of a vacuum cleaner. The product was marketed on television commercials that were considered unintentionally funny back in the day.
He said he understands the hardships peope are enduring as barbers and stylists close their shops during the COVID-19 crisis.
I bought a Flowbee online to cut Oscar’s hair, but he’s deathly afraid of it, so now it’s in the garage (the Flowbee, not Oscar).
How’s your hair looking these days?
- Streator Curmudgeon - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:24 am:
I’m not looking like a geezy rock musician yet, but by the end of April it should be long enough for one bodacious comb over.
- Glengarry - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:24 am:
You should let JB borrow it. Personally, buzz cut it is.
- CharlieKratos - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:25 am:
Back to my roots. I’ve got a buzz cut (I call it my ‘Rona-do’.
- efudd - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:25 am:
Started going bald in my 30’s. Have used a Wahl trimmer to cut my own hair for over 10 years.
Side note-the instructions that came with it are actually pretty good. Followed them to cut my son’s hair (he can grow a beard in two days). Did a pretty good job if I do say so myself.
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:26 am:
I’m still considering just shaving it all off.
- Diver Down - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:26 am:
I am waiting for the blowback from the hippie community. As for my hair, I am still bald on top but extremely unkempt everywhere else.
- hisgirlfriday - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:28 am:
This mayor haircut thing has really blown up on my facebook among downstate Republican facebook friends.
Disappointing response by the mayor doubling down on arrogance about the situation without showing any contrition.
there are lots of out of work hairstylists with clients who need to look good in the public and if haircuts are so important for “hygiene” why shouldn’t everyone have access to them?
- XonXoff - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:29 am:
Same as always. A little beyond shoulder-length and thinning on top.
- Montrose - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:29 am:
I am happy I went to a buzz cut many years ago as part of accepting balding. Home trimmers are doing the trick, but I feel very badly for the barber I typically see.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:30 am:
I’m starting to get a bit shaggy. Last week Jonathan Van Ness (a Quincy native) shared the best advice:
==Jonathan Van Ness shared tips with Jimmy Fallon about cutting your own hair while self-isolating during the coronavirus crisis. Van Ness said: “I think the most important advice is just to not. It’s just to not do it.”==
https://news.yahoo.com/jonathan-van-ness-told-jimmy-121313369.html
- Louis G Atsaves - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:31 am:
A little shaggy, but doesn’t look the way it did when I was 18. The longer it gets, the darker it gets, so maybe I’ll make it my newer look down the road. Tonight my two dogs get a bath, shampoo and trim. With the doggy salon shut down, they will either understand or hate me when its over. Offered to cut my wife’s hair. She politely turned me down but then, she has always been smarter than me.
- Steve Rogers - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:31 am:
Shaggy. I have clippers with the #1, #2, #4, etc. guides, and I thought of trying to give myself a haircut, but I’m too afraid as to what the end product would look like.
- Winderweezle - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:32 am:
Shaggy!
Last year after retiring I tried to pull off the aging rock star look. It didn’t work.
- Birdseed - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:32 am:
“I take my personal hygiene very seriously.”
I’m going to use this one. Thanks for the laugh, Mayor.
- Keyrock - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:33 am:
Working on a ponytail. I hope the stay-at-home doesn’t last that many months, because it would take a long time.
- Commisar Gritty - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:34 am:
#HaircutGate reminds us, again, that we are in the dumbest of all possible timelines. Lori has been absolutely killing it, and if this is their mainline of criticism, it clearly shows it.
- JSS - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:37 am:
I bought some clippers to use on my 2 boys and cut the oldest’s hair on Sunday after watching several YouTube videos. No bald spots or mistakes, but pretty nervewracking doing for the first time.
- DTAG - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:37 am:
Mine is all over the place, but it’s about shared sacrifice right, unless of course you are a mayor of a big city.
- Sayitaintso - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:37 am:
I’m sure JB isn’t super hot on the idea of wearing a mask in public, so, there’s that, Mayor. To the Governor, I’d just say “Let your freak flag fly”. Whoooop
- Ducky LaMoore - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:38 am:
Nothing against any hardworking barber (I am just a spectacular cheapskate), maybe 6 or 7 years ago I bought a set of clippers and made my wife cut my hair. For the price of one haircut, I’ve had 70-80 haircuts.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:39 am:
I’m a month overdue for a haircut. I guess I don’t take my personal hygiene as seriously as the mayor.
Seriously though if you want to send a visual message about how serious this is don’t get a haircut. We’ll understand and it will underscore the importance of all this.
Getting a haircut isn’t a question of personal hygiene it’s vanity.
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:41 am:
We have clippers here, and my makeshift haircut this weekend turned out OK. My hair is usually short anyway so not a big deal.
- Practical Politics - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:41 am:
I paid a call to the barber a few days before the orders were announced limiting activities to essential businesses only. I am probably good until sometime in May. I really worry about some of the small businesses which cannot afford to be closed indefinitely. I patronize a local barber shop and have thus far avoided the national chains.
- Bruce (no not him) - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:41 am:
It’s just a bad look.
- SouthernCentrist - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:42 am:
It’s VERY long in the back. I can control the front, but the back just looks messy. Should have gotten it cut before everything closed. Alas, I did not.
- Amalia - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:42 am:
Roots. It’s not just a miniseries.
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:44 am:
This is an opportunity for the men of our society to create an iconic COVID-19 pandemic hair look that inspires period television, movies, and is discussed in history decades from now.
Don’t screw up this opportunity by rushing to the nearest Sport Clips when they’re allowed to reopen.
Ask yourselves, what would Hemingway do?
Finally you all have had that excuse to go the awkward two or three months without a hair cut that you need to grow some locks.
- Behind the Scenes - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:44 am:
if I could only find my ears…
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:45 am:
Surely someone in her household could have given her hair a trim. Or wear your hair longer as a badge of courage and solidarity with your constituents. The public eye is on you regardless, and most will take this as a double standard.
- Stuff Happens - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:46 am:
Mine was getting too long already and I had an appointment scheduled, but I pushed it back because I was getting worried about safety. Then we had the stay-at-home order, so…
Starting to look a little like a gray-haired John Denver (on the sides; I could probably comb the top with a sponge).
- ChicagoVinny - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:49 am:
I bought clippers last month and my first attempt this weekend went ok. I did not shave my head or feel the need to wear hats all the time. I’ve had worse haircuts.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:49 am:
Lori, I have two words. Head wraps.
Seriously, my hair is so overdue for a cut that I’ve taken the scarf-tying talents I learned during chemo and am using them now.
- Michelle Flaherty - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:52 am:
Back-to-session mullets.
The fashion statement Springfield never stopped planning for.
- Anyone Remember - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:53 am:
Last time it was this long, Ford was in the White House …
- fedup - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:55 am:
Biggest problem with cutting my own hair is the weird mirror perspective of moving my hand one way, and it going the opposite direction. It is easier than I thought it would be though. That said I’m at the awkward in-between short and “hockey hair.” Need to make up my mind on going full hippy again.
- Rag-A-Muffin - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 10:59 am:
I needed a haircut badly before the barber closed. I am a total grey curly mess now. I am wearing my ten to twelve ballcaps these days.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:06 am:
It was a stupid thing to do and getting defensive about it was not a good idea. Let’s hope that’s the worst mistake she makes.
- Langhorne - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:11 am:
Full head of wavy, silver hair. Think Richard Gere’s older dumpy brother. I hate it. I have had to trim the hair around my ears two or three times. I prefer it just long enough to part.Pretty soon I will break out the clippers and shear myself like a sheep. Or boot camp. Or a sheep in Boot Camp.
- Frank talks - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:15 am:
There are salons and barbershops all over this state that have closed down. They are being threatened with losing their license to practice if they work. Now the leader is saying it’s ok for her but no one else? The stylists, the beauty shop owners, the barbers, that are all following directives have a right to be mad. And if Lori doesn’t get why their upset she’s just another clueless politician.
- twowaystreet - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:22 am:
Might go back to the bowl cut in the next few weeks. Relive my childhood.
- Because I said so.... - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:28 am:
Hubby needed a cut in early March and never got one so his full head of thick, wavy hair is something to be envied for men his age but getting pretty messy. He wears a lot of caps these days.
My nails on the other hand are a mess. I can’t wear rubber gloves all the time.
- Suburban Mom - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:30 am:
Borrowed a trimmer (via porch drop off) from my brother who’s balding and cuts his own hair, and gave me two sons a long buzz (5 on top, 3 on the sides) after watching YouTube videos for instruction. It came out pretty well; after seeing that they looked okay, my husband let me do his too (9 on top, 5 on sides). He usually gets scissors on the top but that’s obviously not happening. I’m pretty proud of myself.
My own hair is basically 24/7 ponytail right now. I’ve never had the energy for hair dye so I’m not dealing with roots, unlike a lot of my friends who are very unhappy.
I feel for the mayor, because black women’s hair is such a nasty racist flashpoint and people would have absolutely been racist as it grew out. But sheesh was getting a professional haircut a bad decision, and the hairdresser posting it on social media made a TERRIBLE decision.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:37 am:
Still bald.
- SAP - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:40 am:
Can the barber community repurpose old selfie sticks in order to simultaneously cut hair and practice social distancing?
- Blue Dog Dem - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:46 am:
How’s my hair look? Is that some sort of smart-alec question?
- NotMe - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:53 am:
Fired up the Wahls for one of the kids and the spouse. Waiting for the other 2 kids to lose patience with their shagginess. Just letting mine grow, but it’s already long.
- Titan - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 11:57 am:
I’ve been home trimming with a Wahl using the #2 guide for 25 years
- Ok Boomer - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 12:10 pm:
Movies like Mad Max are starting to kind of make sense. I always kind of wondered why the characters all had crazy hair and now I get it. I am hopeful that someone can do a story on post-pandemic hair with some of our more colorful Chicago characters. What will Blago look like? How about the Speaker? Marty Quinn? Who am I missing?
- Simple Simon - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 12:18 pm:
I haven’t needed a barber in 20 years, but my kid wants to grow his hair long and get a man bun. I guess he should enjoy it while it lasts, but a man bun? Just no.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 12:31 pm:
Saw this coming so I got a cut exactly one month ago today and had it cut shorter than usual. I’m normally an every-6-weeks guy so it’ll be May before it gets too terribly long, but I’ve already resolved just to let it go until this is all over.
- Huh? - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
Brushed my hair today for first time in 3 weeks. Getting shaggy.
- Generic Drone - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 12:41 pm:
Got the silver fox look Goin on myself. Rocking the Charlie Rich look.
- Lynn S. - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 12:46 pm:
You tried to Flow-bee poor little Oscar? Rich (banned punctuation, multiple times)
I just wear my hair long, and I’m too cheap to dye the gray, so nothing has really changed in my corner of the world.
- Rich Miller - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 12:47 pm:
===You tried to Flow-bee poor little Oscar?===
For like 30 seconds. lol
- Lynn S. - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 1:23 pm:
Poor little Oscar must be absolutely terrified (single banned punctuation)
Send him over to my house and I’ll spoil him absolutely rotten for a few months.
Just be sure to stay in the garage when you Flow-bee your own hair. You shouldn’t expose sweet little Oscar to such trauma again.
- Nearly Normal - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 1:55 pm:
I had a haircut scheduled for the end of March. The stay at home order got it cancelled. Then it was re-scheduled for April 8. That’s not going to happen. Now we are on for May 2. I get an inch cut off each month so I am getting on the shaggy side.
- Mason born - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 2:05 pm:
We have a set of Oster clippers we used on our, unfortunately deceased New Foundland mix, we just ordered a set of guides so we can trim the boys and my hair.
- ArchPundit - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 2:14 pm:
I got a haircut four hours before the barbers were shut down so I’m still good which is good because I resemble Meatloaf with long hair.
I remember when you bought the flow-bee but I’m not sure if I knew it didn’t work out well. That’s really quite fantastic.
- yinn - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 2:16 pm:
Got a cut just before early primary voting started so am good for another couple of weeks.
The REALLY good news is nobody got hurt last weekend with the dreaded Dremel experiment on the chihuahua’s nails, tho she may be planning revenge (and it will be good to get back to the groomer’s).
- Six Feet of Separation (temporary name) - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 2:18 pm:
Business in front, party in back. But getting more party every day.
- Earnest - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 2:52 pm:
Grayer than it was.
- Gdubya - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 4:19 pm:
For the record…Having your hair washed is personal hygiene, getting a haircut is not.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 4:21 pm:
==Business in front, party in back. But getting more party every day.==
Bring back the mullet.
- Honeybear - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 4:34 pm:
Doing great! I have clippers from my Navy days and I’ve been using them. Takes a bit of practice to get the back right but looking high and tight!
- Papa2008 - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 5:30 pm:
Haven’t been to a barber since 1988 (25 at the time). Have shaved it all off since then. Tell everyone I do it so it look’s like my idea and not God’s.
- 618er - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 8:35 pm:
I can’t wait for news anchors to start looks my like the two from Gotham city in Batman movie
- 618er - Tuesday, Apr 7, 20 @ 8:37 pm:
Let’s try this again
I can’t wait for news anchors to start looking like the two from Gotham city in Batman movie