Pandemic Notes...
August, 2020
Hello,
We've had several months of dealing with the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic we were forced to close via government order. Later, massage therapy was allowed to resume, but my practice remains closed. Here's why: It's not safe to get a massage right now.
The leaders of my industry agree with me, but because of the financial and political realities they are providing guidelines to make giving and receiving a massage safer. That's the operative word: safer. Not safe. At some point it will become safe, but not right now.
One of the things that can make it safe is a cure. The same is true for a vaccine. But currently neither exist. Fully 20% of those who contract the disease get sick enough to require hospitalization and a few of them die. We're learning every day of the long haulers - those who have been sick for months and likely have permanent damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, and other organ systems. Long haulers include those who have been hospitalized and those who haven't. These things alone should be enough to give you pause about getting a massage right now.
As a massage therapist, there are several other aspects that are concerning. We know that
Upgraded sanitation protocols, air purifiers, and the like do make things safer too. But they don't completely mitigate the risk, just reduce it. And once my practice re-opens, you can be assured that I will incorporate all of these measures.
Those are all of my main concerns. I would feel terrible if anyone developed COVID-19 as a result of coming to my practice. And right now, massage therapists are sharing stories of how they were doing all of the right things but have contracted the virus from clients and subsequently exposed their families. I live in a high-risk household, so exposing my household is not an option. In fact, experts are still telling high-risk people to stay home and stay isolated. And the vast majority of my clients are high risk.
It is devastating to me to have to pause my practice right now. I miss each and every one of my clients. And I know that they miss me too. But the risk is too great at this time. While the push is on to re-open our economy and our schools, the real indicator of how safe it is to be out there is the behavior of our government: Governmental offices remain closed or are barely operating with greatly reduced staffing. And if open, most agencies have their people working from home. If it is not safe for them to be on-site, then how can it be safe for the rest of us?
I re-evaluate my decision every two weeks. So far, my thinking on re-opening has not changed.
If you'd like to be placed on my wait list, please contact me:
text/phone: 406-544-4704
email: deb@debkimmet.com
I wish you well and stay safe! See you on the other side.
Deb
Hello,
We've had several months of dealing with the pandemic. At the beginning of the pandemic we were forced to close via government order. Later, massage therapy was allowed to resume, but my practice remains closed. Here's why: It's not safe to get a massage right now.
The leaders of my industry agree with me, but because of the financial and political realities they are providing guidelines to make giving and receiving a massage safer. That's the operative word: safer. Not safe. At some point it will become safe, but not right now.
One of the things that can make it safe is a cure. The same is true for a vaccine. But currently neither exist. Fully 20% of those who contract the disease get sick enough to require hospitalization and a few of them die. We're learning every day of the long haulers - those who have been sick for months and likely have permanent damage to the lungs, heart, kidneys, and other organ systems. Long haulers include those who have been hospitalized and those who haven't. These things alone should be enough to give you pause about getting a massage right now.
As a massage therapist, there are several other aspects that are concerning. We know that
- Masks combined with social distancing greatly reduce the spread of the virus, but social distancing is not possible.
- The riskiest environment is being in a small enclosed space for more than 10-15 minutes, which describes a massage session.
- When a client comes in they are exposed to every client that I have treated in the last several days (up to 14). Since there is no reliable testing and contact tracing at this point in time AND people can be asymptomatic, you and I have to trust that each of those clients has not been exposed. And have been using masks. And that the people with whom they've come into contact have also been doing the right thing. And you have to trust that I and the people I see outside of my practice (at the grocery store, the post office, etc.) have not been exposed. And finally,
- COVID-19 manifests as a coagulation disorder. Blood clots are a contraindication for massage. I screen for blood clots with each client, but these ones are different. They are pervasive - in veins, arteries, and capillaries. My industry leaders are developing protocols for this issue, and I'm confident that we will be able to overcome this one easily.
Upgraded sanitation protocols, air purifiers, and the like do make things safer too. But they don't completely mitigate the risk, just reduce it. And once my practice re-opens, you can be assured that I will incorporate all of these measures.
Those are all of my main concerns. I would feel terrible if anyone developed COVID-19 as a result of coming to my practice. And right now, massage therapists are sharing stories of how they were doing all of the right things but have contracted the virus from clients and subsequently exposed their families. I live in a high-risk household, so exposing my household is not an option. In fact, experts are still telling high-risk people to stay home and stay isolated. And the vast majority of my clients are high risk.
It is devastating to me to have to pause my practice right now. I miss each and every one of my clients. And I know that they miss me too. But the risk is too great at this time. While the push is on to re-open our economy and our schools, the real indicator of how safe it is to be out there is the behavior of our government: Governmental offices remain closed or are barely operating with greatly reduced staffing. And if open, most agencies have their people working from home. If it is not safe for them to be on-site, then how can it be safe for the rest of us?
I re-evaluate my decision every two weeks. So far, my thinking on re-opening has not changed.
If you'd like to be placed on my wait list, please contact me:
text/phone: 406-544-4704
email: deb@debkimmet.com
I wish you well and stay safe! See you on the other side.
Deb