However, Hamade is not alone in her feelings or actions. More than 2,000 miles away, Olympia, Washington-resident J Farr grappled with a similar circumstance when he drove 600 miles to Northern California for a haircut, as reported by the Los Angeles Times. The $20-dollar cut was “exactly what I had hoped for,” said Farr. On the other hand, his actions leave less hope for chances to control the coronavirus pandemic.

A symptom of our country’s pocked pandemic response, how and when states begin opening up their economies is often a tale of two cities — in some cases like LA, two counties, and sometimes regional when it comes to time frames. Even still, there is the matter of sudden infection outbreaks, which can considerably set back plans for reopening. 

The state of Ohio is following a timeline outlined in its Responsible RestartOhio plan, which includes protocols for business closures, openings, sector specific operations and coronavirus contact tracing. Head north across state lines and business is governed by Michigan’s MI Safe Start Plan, which includes a six-phase process to “reengage” the state’s economy slowly, safely, that could be months behind Ohio’s timeline.

You don’t need a map to predict how such a disparity will affect business between neighboring cities in the long term. But when it comes to finding work in the skilled trades, crossing state lines to find work may be the new normal.

Now, a little about our new normal: from this point on, SNIPS magazine will live online at SNIPSmag.com, and we could not be more excited to do away with the past and focus on our future.

For our readers, staying connected comes first. In order to receive the digital edition of the magazine, where you can exclusively read this month’s cover story, subscribe at SNIPSmag.com/subscribe. This will not only give you access to our digital magazine pages but also access to exclusive stories and reports only available to our registered readers.

With all this talk about adjusting to a “new normal,” we understand that readers are likely facing a new normal, too.

Nawal Hamade lost her construction job as a direct result of the coronavirus. Farr’s job as a painter suffered the same fate. Yet if they were willing to travel to another state for hair and nails, we can only imagine how far skilled trade workers would be willing to go to get back to making a living.

Wherever you find your next job, we are committed to ensuring SNIPSmag.com has the knowledge and tools you need to thrive as a sheet metal worker.