Is it me, or is the international climate starting to feel real Walking Dead-ish? Since the outbreak of the Coronavirus, the viral disease has made it quite clear that this pandemic ain't nothing to play with.
From celebrities scaling down their tours to the cancellations of major events across the globe, the COVID-19 virus has become an international threat and we pray that you've got your sanitizer on deck, sis. The number of confirmed cases of the virus has risen to more than 1,300 as states like D.C., Arizona, New York, and Kentucky have all declared a state of emergency but according to select booking sites, that can be news for travelers who are willing to take a risk.
Among those who won't let the virus keep them stationary is our favorite supermodel, Naomi Campbell, who confirmed in a recent Instagram post that she is not here for your germs. In the post, the 49-year-old icon is seen suited up from head-to-toe in a totally chic full-body protection suit and matching mask and issa mood all damn cold season.
Although the president issued a travel ban that will prevent U.S. citizens from traveling to a number of European countries, with the right precautions in place, officials say that you are still relatively safe to move about the country and a number of people are taking advantage of these somewhat scary circumstances.
Due to widespread cancellations and the level of fear that is currently associated with flying, trips on websites like Google Flights and Hopper are significantly cheaper, making this the perfect time to book your next domestic staycation.
While safety comes first, always, no risk-taking travelista would want to miss out on these amazing flight deals. Here are the details on some quick trips you can snag before the hysteria dies down and airline prices jump back up:
Miami - New Orleans ($38)
Charlotte - Las Vegas ($54)
Atlanta - San Juan ($86)
Houston - Chicago ($72)
New Orleans - Denver ($50)
Featured image by Instagram/@naomicampbell.
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Now, when you go to the hair store you are inundated with all kinds of hair textures, colors, and more. That’s why it was so upsetting to read the latest report about synthetic braiding hair.
Delmaine Donson/ Getty Images
A Feb 27 Consumer Reports article revealed that most popular synthetic hair brands that are used for braiding have dangerous chemicals such as carcinogens, lead and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). The report stated that 10 of the brands were tested and all 10 had these chemicals. These brands included Shake-N-Go, Sassy Collection, and Sensationnel.
These chemicals include benzene, which is a carcinogen that has been linked to acute myeloid leukemia and unsafe levels of lead, which can cause kidney damage, brain damage, and cardiovascular problems in adults.
In children, it can cause brain and nervous system damage, learning disabilities, behavioral problems and even developmental delays.
James E. Rogers, PhD, director and head of product safety testing led the testing for synthetic braiding hair. “Our exposure and risk analysis found all nine products could expose a regular user of any of these products to a level of lead that could be concerning over time,” he said.
As shocking as this is, it also brought some clarity around why I’ve had issues with wearing braiding hair as of late.
Not only have I dealt with scalp irritation, I’ve even had breakouts on my back from the hair touching. Since then, I’ve started rinsing the hair with apple cider vinegar, and haven’t had that many issues. However, the report stated that ACV isn’t a “cure-all” and can potentially release harmful chemicals when rinsing the hair.
@javonford16 Replying to @Julianna Rebundle vid: @Javon Ford Beauty #blackhairstyles #braidinghair #blackgirlhairstyles @Consumer Reports
While the report sparked some outrage, chemist Javon Ford has a different view. In a TikTok video, he shared that the report was tested for oral exposure and not dermal exposure.
He showed a screenshot of an email he allegedly sent Consumer Reports questioning their decision to test this way. The email said, “the best model to use, in our view, is the ingestion model for the reasons given in the article.”
“While I understand they went with that model, I don’t agree with it because you’re not intentionally ingesting braids,” Javon said. The chemist also said that the amount of chemicals found in the brands is “conservative” compared to other types of products.
So what does this mean for us braid-wearers? If you still want to wear braids, but have some concerns, you can limit how often you wear them. Another option is wearing non-toxic braiding hair or plant-based hair. The only downside is that it's pricier than synthetic hair.
The Consumer Report also suggested checking for recalls, reading labels carefully, and reporting adverse effects. Hair isn’t regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, so it’s best to do your research when making purchases.
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Feature image by AzmanL/ Getty Images