December 16, 2004

Street Talk by Carol Rosen

Have you been following the pedicure controversy? Is this stopping you from having pedicures?
(Asked at Via Valiente Plaza)


“Yes, I’ve read it. Wow it scares me because I was going to Lovely Nails, but generally just in the summer. My husband says, ‘absolutely not,’ that I shouldn’t get them. Nothing has ever happened to me and I don’t go that often, but it’s very disconcerting. When I don’t get pedicures, I take care of my toenails myself, keep them clean and trimmed of course, but it’s hard to get the nail polish on, and it’s troublesome. I’m just sorry for the young women who do the pedicures, what will happen to them, this is their livelihood. People are so fear driven.”

Sally Pyle, 60ish
Almaden
Retired/volunteer

“I’m afraid to get a pedicure at this time. My sister got that infection on her foot after I’d referred her to a woman for a pedicure. I stopped at that time. It made me realize who’s really cleaning those basins.”

Tina Minato, 58
Almaden
Retired

“Yes, I’ve read the stories and I would not go at this time and use those big chairs. I went to a place in Los Gatos and they used bowls, but I haven’t had one for a long time, for at least a year. My daughter Kaylee [who is 4 years old] and I went a few times together to get pedicures, but I’m definitely staying away for a while.”

Kim Earnshaw, 37
Almaden
Homemaker


“Yes, I’ve read them. I’m a microbiology major. I don’t get pedicures. The only way I’d get one is if I had my own sink, utensils and equipment, that way I’d know they all were OK.”
Mahtab Shahkarami, 27
Almaden
Grad student

“Yes, I’ve read the article in the Almaden Times. It [this pedicure problem] comes back every two to three years. I don’t think it’s as prevalent as it appears. I have pedicures every three months at a reputable beauty shop [at Camden and Branham]. I never worry, and I’ve never had a problem. They use a big spa chair, one of those specially designed chairs, the water is hot but not boiling and they sterilize it after every use.

Deanna Curley, 60
Almaden
Part-time veterinary assistant

“Yes, I’ve read them. It’s terrible, what can I say. You should check out the nail salons thoroughly before you go to them. I go to a person on the East Side, she works out of her home. She’s from Germany and she’s extremely clean. Every once in a while, I go to a place by Safeway, I can’t remember the name of it, but I don’t get pedicures there all the time. I’m not terribly worried right now, because I don’t get pedicures in the winter.”

Joy Genovese, 69
Almaden
Retired