Governor Reeves & Dr. Dobbs,

I am writing on behalf of the tattooing industry who has been out of work for six or more weeks and counting. As of Friday, May 8th, salons and barbershops were given permission to re-open their doors. However the tattoo industry has seemed to have been forgotten about. This industry falls under the same strict health care guidelines as the salon industry if not more so. All tattoo shops and tattoo artists are regulated by the Mississippi Department of Health and all licensed professionals must go through thorough training of infectious disease control. Aside from that, they have the ability to control the quantity of traffic in and out of their establishments.

This industry includes a large number of hard-working licensed professionals who provide for their families. Several of the artists in Mississippi are also business owners.

This creative industry is known for serving it’s community. You can see their creative work displayed on our law enforcement, our doctors, our nurses, our lawyers, our first responders, as well as some elected officials. While we realize that the tattoo industry has been somewhat of a taboo in years past, it is no longer a stigma that we should have to hide behind or be forgotten about.

Because these artists have dedicated their lives to their craft and their clients, the devastation of not being able to return to work is heavy.

In conclusion, we ask that you hear us, see us, and permit us to go back to work and provide for our families. We are suffering.