The Coronavirus and What It Means For My Events

There’s no question the coronavirus outbreak is bad, with nearly 90,000 people infected and 3,000 dead in less than three months. I don’t want to minimize the danger or gloss over the seriousness. After all, I am exposed to other people (and germs) at every special event I attend.

Working with children adds another layer of complexity, as they are often unaware of some of the precautions adults take, like staying home when ill, sneezing or coughing into an elbow, covering their mouths, and frequently washing hands.

I have thought several times in the last few days about my next face painting cruise. I am assigned to the “Freedom of the Seas,” a Royal Caribbean ship, to entertain guests during the Easter cruise. That cruise, is leaving out of San Juan, Puerto Rico, so it involves a plane ride…making it a “double exposure whammy.”

If you are concerned about the spread of germs, I will be totally honest: face painting is not a risk-free activity. But then again, once you leave your home, there is very little out there that DOESN’T put you at risk of picking up a germ or two. (Think of the grocery carts you push, the hands you shake, the railings you hold onto climbing stairs, the money you handle, and even, elevator buttons.) But in my world of special events, I do a great deal to protect the health of my party clients and their guests.

Read on, and feel free to use these bullet points to question your next entertainer about their safety and hygiene practices. What are they doing to lessen the risk of passing germs from one person to another?

They should have a written policy they can share, as well as alternative artistic entertainment if face-painting is not the best choice for the group or venue. Any virus (especially the FLU) can be dangerous, so I exhibit these precautions all the time. Any face or body painter, make-up artist or aesthetician should do the same. We are all touching the skin. Make sure your high quality professional is protecting your guests.

My kit is pristine prior to the start of an event, and I bring plenty of sponges and wipes so that I don’t have to use them on multiple guests.

Safety and Hygiene Practices

1. Only use the right products that are safe for face and body painting. Compliant with FDA guidelines and designed for use on the skin, most high quality makeups contain antibacterial components. These makeup products are DRY to the touch and are activated only with fresh, clean water, which gives them their creamy texture. After the event, lids are left off so that the moisture can evaporate (bacteria cannot survive without water). Acrylics and water-based poster paints are never used.
2. Two basins for water are used: one for activating clean makeup, with water that is clean enough to drink. The second basin contains rinse water for dirty brushes with a sterilizing liquid soap added. These basins are cleaned and water refreshed after every 10-15 guests.
3. One sponge for the application of makeup (base colors) per guest. No re-dipping in the makeup. Once the makeup has been applied, each sponge is discarded for later washing in hot laundry water with detergent.
4. Brushes are cleaned in between guests by spraying with liquid brush soap that kills bacteria.
5. Individual cotton swabs are used for application of lipstick, never brushes! After application to the lips, the swab is discarded. No double dipping.
6. Hands of the artist are clean to start…always washed with soap and water before the event starts. Frequent use of hand sanitizer after each guest. Any visible cuts or sores on the hands demand the use of disposable NON-Latex gloves.
7. Equipment, such as makeup chairs and tables, are clean. Artist brings their own chair, and are responsible for sanitizing it, instead of using tables and chairs from the venue. Anti-bacterial wipes are used on all surfaces.
8. During the event, the artist will stop to refresh water basins, and clean surfaces…taking a few minutes between guests, in order to protect those that come later.
9. Makeup is only be applied to clean, dry skin, without damage, rash or wounds. Do not paint over freshly healed skin, but instead encourage a hand or arm painting.
10. Require a clean and dry “canvas” to start, the artist will have clean wipes available for guests to use prior to getting decorated.
11. After each event, brushes are cleaned thoroughly with soap and hot water, and then sterilized by dipping in rubbing alcohol.
12. Good judgement should always err on the side of caution. If a guest is clearly ill, they should not be painted, but provided with another form of entertainment. Stickers, bling, stamps with designs, and glitter tattoos are all acceptable body art alternatives.

Putting people into small confined spaces for a special event is not risk free. But we as entertainers must do what we can to lessen the risk of contagious illness. I treat each guest as if they were a member of my own family and protect their health the same way I would my own children.