Practice Updates
Periodic Updates will be posted here to keep you informed during the pandemic.
December 20, 2021
After the vaccines came along it became much safer for people to receive massage, so I began the process of re-opening my practice in June 2021. Just as I was ready to fully re-open, the Delta surge began. And just as the case numbers and positivity rate are coming back down enough to re-open to new clients and fewer restrictions, here comes Omicron! The upshot? Fully re-opening is off the table for right now.
What that means is that if you received a Holiday card from me, you can book an appointment.
If you were on my wait list prior to December, you can book an appointment.
If you were referred by a current client or by a healthcare professional, you can book an appointment.
If you have been in to see me before, you can book an appointment.
If none of those apply, then you may call to get on my wait list. I will add someone from that wait list on a periodic basis as it becomes safer to do so.
Notice that I keep saying safer not safe. There is still a risk that you or I may contract COVID-19, but I am doing everything I can to mitigate those risks. This includes adding certain safety precautions that restrict when you can come in to see me.
For example, if you or anyone in your household do any behaviors that I've labeled as risky, then don't plan to see me until two weeks after you've done them. More details are on my booking page, but here are a few examples:
We may be able to loosen things up over time, but right now, we still must be vigilant because we don't know the effect of the variants yet. We're getting more info about vaccine immunity, and if you've been vaccinated but haven't been boosted, I strongly encourage you to get your booster now. The science is telling us that those who've been boosted do much better against omicron than those who haven't.
As I said, re-opening has been a process, so expect things to change as what we know changes.
Right now, I'm still concerned. It didn't take long for the delta surge to get to Montana and everything I've researched about omicron says that it spreads much faster. I expect the next surge to arrive soon. So I am not loosening up my protocols at this time.
Consider Testing
One of the things that you may also want to consider is using an over-the-counter antigen test on the day of your appointment shortly before you arrive at the office. I regularly test myself once or twice a week using the BinaxNow test. They are not as accurate as a PCR test for telling whether you have the virus, but they are pretty accurate determining if you are contagious. And that's important for you to know to protect the people around you.
I've been very fortunate so far as I've managed to keep my practice open. It's not only because I've erred heavily to the side of caution it's also because everyone who's come in has cooperated in helping me, my family, and all of my clients to stay safer by following the protocols. Let's continue that trend!
If you'd like to be placed on my wait list or make an appointment, please contact me:
text/phone: 406-544-4704
email: deb@debkimmet.com
In the meantime, until we are all back to "normal," let's all stay safe!
Deb
December 20, 2021
After the vaccines came along it became much safer for people to receive massage, so I began the process of re-opening my practice in June 2021. Just as I was ready to fully re-open, the Delta surge began. And just as the case numbers and positivity rate are coming back down enough to re-open to new clients and fewer restrictions, here comes Omicron! The upshot? Fully re-opening is off the table for right now.
What that means is that if you received a Holiday card from me, you can book an appointment.
If you were on my wait list prior to December, you can book an appointment.
If you were referred by a current client or by a healthcare professional, you can book an appointment.
If you have been in to see me before, you can book an appointment.
If none of those apply, then you may call to get on my wait list. I will add someone from that wait list on a periodic basis as it becomes safer to do so.
Notice that I keep saying safer not safe. There is still a risk that you or I may contract COVID-19, but I am doing everything I can to mitigate those risks. This includes adding certain safety precautions that restrict when you can come in to see me.
For example, if you or anyone in your household do any behaviors that I've labeled as risky, then don't plan to see me until two weeks after you've done them. More details are on my booking page, but here are a few examples:
- Eating/drinking at a bar or restaurant
- Going shopping or to the grocery store without properly masking
- Going to indoor events (basketball games, concerts, etc.)
- Without masking Or
- If you are wearing a mask, without proper physical distancing from anyone who is unmasked
- Going to outdoor events without physically distancing (even while masked),
We may be able to loosen things up over time, but right now, we still must be vigilant because we don't know the effect of the variants yet. We're getting more info about vaccine immunity, and if you've been vaccinated but haven't been boosted, I strongly encourage you to get your booster now. The science is telling us that those who've been boosted do much better against omicron than those who haven't.
As I said, re-opening has been a process, so expect things to change as what we know changes.
Right now, I'm still concerned. It didn't take long for the delta surge to get to Montana and everything I've researched about omicron says that it spreads much faster. I expect the next surge to arrive soon. So I am not loosening up my protocols at this time.
Consider Testing
One of the things that you may also want to consider is using an over-the-counter antigen test on the day of your appointment shortly before you arrive at the office. I regularly test myself once or twice a week using the BinaxNow test. They are not as accurate as a PCR test for telling whether you have the virus, but they are pretty accurate determining if you are contagious. And that's important for you to know to protect the people around you.
I've been very fortunate so far as I've managed to keep my practice open. It's not only because I've erred heavily to the side of caution it's also because everyone who's come in has cooperated in helping me, my family, and all of my clients to stay safer by following the protocols. Let's continue that trend!
If you'd like to be placed on my wait list or make an appointment, please contact me:
text/phone: 406-544-4704
email: deb@debkimmet.com
In the meantime, until we are all back to "normal," let's all stay safe!
Deb