The South Portlander

What on earth are they talking about?  “Exchanged” implies that fluids are transferred from one person to another.  Ummm… do these folks understand how tattooing works?  It’s not a blood transfusion for heaven’s sake…

The comments made by Beecher and Soule show that they have not done even rudimentary homework before casting their vote. They virtually slandered an entire profession with their bizarre comments about exchanging body fluids.  And how about that “progressive” hypocrite Claude Morgan? You would think he might understand the prejudices of a selective criminal background check. Thankfully Claude is leaving.  Unfortunately Soule and Beecher will remain to make more poor decisions.

Another nutty decision by our city leaders. Allowing personal prejudices control the regulations of the city.

I went to my doctor’s office today and got a flu shot.  Oh no!  Bodily fluids!  PLEASE, SoPo city leaders, step up and regulate doctors’ offices before it’s too late!!!

Haven’t our city leaders been paying any attention to the phrase “creative economy?”

Kudos, again, to Tom Blake for having common sense, articulating his objections clearly, and voting against this. Bravo also to Hughes and Loring. The city is wrong on this, and it seems to me they may be opening themselves up to potential legal action by this discriminatory act.

Step into a tattoo shop around Portland. Most are clean, well-lit, sanitary and could be mistaken for art galleries - because they are, of a sort. The owners are artists and business people, interested in making a living doing what they love. They take care to keep themselves and their clients healthy. And, again, they’re already regulated by the state.

Back off, now.

In response to the first two comments: yes indeed, there is a transfer of bodily fluids. The tattoo artist punctures the client’s skin with a needle repeatedly and comes into contact with their blood. That’s why all tattoo artists wear rubber gloves nowadays. They also sterilize their tattoo equipment after every use and disinfect their work areas frequently. And then there’s other forms of body modification such as body piercings, and don’t forget the split tongue look. (Yeesh.) Some tools, such as single-use razors and needles, are used once and thrown away.

Here’s a great informative link from a reputable source:
http://www.cdc.gov/Features/BodyArt/

OK, so bodily fluids are “transferred” from the client’s skin to the artist’s rubber gloves.  Fine.  But “exchange” of bodily fluids is what was being said by certain councilors, and that implies that the fluids are going from one human to another human, and that simply does not happen… unless Mr. Soule and Ms. Beecher were thinking about prison tattoos or something...?