Hairstylist gives free haircuts to Thai health frontliners

In this Tuesday, April 28, 2020, photo, Pornsupa Hattayong gives haircuts to a medical worker treating COVID-19 patients at Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital in Bangkok, Thailand. The 43-year-old hairstylist is boosting the morale of frontline medical workers by dispensing free haircuts at Bangkok hospitals since Thailand’s hair salons have been closed for more than a month, to help stop the spread of the coronavirus. (AP Photo/Sakchai Lalit)

BANGKOK — Scrubs may be in fashion during the coronavirus crisis, but split ends — never. That was where Pornsupa Hattayong came in.

The 43-year-old hairstylist was boosting the morale of frontline medical workers by dispensing free haircuts at Bangkok hospitals.

Pornsupa said she was almost embarrassed to offer her service, thinking it was too trivial. But she’s been overwhelmed by the response it drew from desperate, shaggy-haired doctors, nurses, and support staff wrapped up in the fight against COVID-19.

Thailand’s hair salons have been closed for more than a month, to help stop the spread of the virus.

On her first hospital visit, Pornsupa had counted on cutting the hair of six health workers, but 30 turned up. On her second visit, 20 customers turned into 50.

“They just kept coming. Some arrived in their medical gowns and asked if they could get a haircut right away as they had to go to work,” said Pornsupa.

At that point, she asked her friends to pitch in.

Bangkok Metropolitan Administration General Hospital was the fourth to welcome Pornsupa since she began her free service at the end of March. All of them were designated treatment centers for COVID-19 patients.

On arrival Thursday, she quickly set up her makeshift salon and began working her way through a long list of hard-pressed medical staff. The team averaged around 50 heads per day.

For this kind of work, they would normally charge customers 500 baht ($15.45).

The 20-year veteran hairdresser took no chances: The full-on protective clothing she dons was impractical but didn’t seem to cramp her styling. She doused her equipment with an alcohol-based spray between clients.

There was no financial gain for her or the others — in fact, Pornsupa said she is living on her savings. She said she is proud that her skill is making a difference.

“The doctors are so happy to get a haircut. It’s like we lift something off their chest, perhaps not chest but head,” she said. “I think they feel lighter and relaxed. They all want to do something with their hair so it’s easy to clean and ready for work.”

For Dr. Teerapat Jittpoonkuson, it was the humanity behind the haircut that really counts.

“I don’t feel like this is merely a service I am getting. It feels like more of kindness given by a group of people to our hospital staff. This is more than just a haircut.”

As of Thursday, Thailand had reported 2,954 positive cases of COVID-19, with 54 deaths. The toll was slowing, prompting the government to announce a gradual easing of lockdown measures — including next week’s reopening of hair salons, with a list of safety restrictions to abide by.

Even then, Pornsupa said, she may continue to style and groom medical workers on her days off.

“I have cut hair for 20 years, and I feel so proud. Cutting hair for the rich, for the famous, is nothing compared to these frontline heroes. They are the most important people in the world right now,” she said.