So what happens if you go against orders and reopen your business?

In the case of an Oregon salon owner, purportedly, Child Protective Services comes to your house.

As reported by Beaverton’s Fox12, last week, Glamour Salon owner Lindsey Graham (no relation) opened the doors of her Marion County proprietorship — against the executive dictate of Gov. Kate Brown.

The whole county might’ve opened Friday as part of the governor’s Phase One, but its petition was denied the day before.

Apropos, according to Lindsey, she was issued a $14,000 citation by Oregon OSHA.

Speaking to KPTV, the business owner lamented the designations of essential and non-.

And I must say, she had an excellent point:

“Everyone’s job is essential, not because (of) what we do or how we do it, but because it’s how we make our living.”

She also insisted Glamour stylists had been inaccurately pegged:

“I have independent contractors that are choosing to work in this facility. OSHA has illegally deemed them employees and is citing me as an employer, which I am not.”

While OSHA wouldn’t confirm to Fox that a citation had been issued, administrator Michael Wood explained that the status of Independent Contractor is conferred based upon criteria beyond the designation in a worker’s contract.

KPTV reports:

Before issuing a fine, Wood says Oregon OSHA assesses the nature of the work relationship like whether workers advertise on their own or control their own hours. They even look at how the work is described informally, and if there’s a dress code.

Michael told the station Lindsey is “unquestionably operating in violation of the governor’s executive order, designed to protect workers and the public.”

Nonetheless, Graham remains defiant, in order to survive. Here’s Linds:

“I’m vowing to stay open as long as I can, basically, until the governor tries to take my entire career —  something I’ve worked 15 years for — out from underneath me.”

What’s arguably more disturbing is that the Powers That Be appear to have made a move regarding her children.

Lindsey claims Child Protective Services showed up at her home last week and interviewed her and her family members.

About that, Oregon Department of Human Services wouldn’t confirm details of an open case, but Press Secretary Jake Sunderland did provide a statement:

“Due to confidentiality laws, we cannot comment on whether or not there is an open CPS assessment against any individual. I want to stress however, that not following Governor Brown’s Stay Home, Save Lives executive order or not following physical distancing guidelines would never be a reason to assign a CPS assessment.”

Furthermore, as relayed by Fox:

Sunderland also said any reports of suspected abuse or neglect are screened and then if they see a need, case workers will visit a family to do a safety assessment.

It seems to me we’re in a very odd and untoward place.

Personally, I believe it was wise to take a short pause as medical facilities got ahead of the virus. As I understand it, that need was due to the government’s lack of preparedness, and I view it rightful for elected leaders to financially assist those out of work for a short time.

Unfortunately, of course, the government doesn’t possess any money — only we do. I’d consider appropriate them cutting spending in order to compensate for the relief.

In my opinion, we’re now past the point of reasonable rest. The world must get back to work, because Lindsey is correct — every job is essential to the person who needs it.

At this point, is the government’s job to protect us from ourselves and punish us if we don’t do what it demands is best for us?

That doesn’t sound like governing; that sounds like parenting.

Perhaps Child Protective Services needs to visit a few capitols — some folks appear to be mismanaging their kids.

Meanwhile, it seems, Lindsey Graham is trying to provide for hers, as are her workers.

That’s gonna take extra work on the entrepreneur’s part — allegedly, $14,000’s worth.

When your livelihood depends on your being able to clip customers’ hair, a moratorium on barbering ain’t cuttin’ it. Here’s to hoping Glamour makes it to Phase Two.

-ALEX

See 3 more pieces from me:

‘I Was Too Hot’: A Nurse Gets Punished for Going Near-Naked ‘Neath Her See-Through PPE in an All-Male Wuhan Ward

You’re Killin’ It, California: An Early Release of Seven Sex Offenders Results in the Early Re-Arrest of Six Sex Offenders

NFL Eyes Boosting Teams’ Draft Status if They Hire Nonwhites

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