Massage During a Pandemic

April 2023:

Washington’s COVID-19 emergency order has ended.  We are gathering again, traveling, and choosing where and when to mask up.

Effective April 3, 2023 the Washington State Department of Health will end the Secretary of Health Mask Order which has required universal masking in healthcare settings, including massage therapy.  After this date, you may choose to wear a mask or not when you come for massage, according to your own risk management strategies.  While some people are relieved to be done with this requirement, others are nervous about the potential for increased exposure.  As always, I will continue to be fastidious about cleaning and disinfecting.  And I will gladly honor any requests to wear a mask during our sessions to reduce concern.

The Covid-19 pandemic has been a powerful reminder that we are all potentially affected by the choices of others.  Most of us have gone to work or school with a cold or the flu at some time, figuring it’s all just part of the season – without realizing how many vulnerable people actually die of the flu every year.  When we experience a sore throat, we don’t necessarily know whether we have a seasonal cold virus, the flu, RSV, or Covid-19.  Now that we are gathering, traveling, and leaving masks behind, it is important to me that we keep our symptoms and their corresponding pathogens isolated, even when it is frustrating and means cancelling something we are looking forward to – like massage.  Please: take any signs of illness seriously.  Stay home and call me to reschedule your reservation.  I will respectfully do the same.

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When you come for a massage:

• Masking is no longer required, but continues to be recommended.
• Please take seriously any symptoms of illness and contact me to reschedule.
• If you have had contact recently with anyone diagnosed with COVID-19 or experiencing symptoms, please reschedule.
• Consider a COVID-19 test before coming for massage if you have traveled or attended an indoor gathering.

It is important to recognize that, even after ensuring policies and protocols that are aligned with current best practices to minimize the risk of exposure and transmission of the Covid-19 virus, there is no way to completely remove this risk in a massage environment.  Therefore, it is important for everyone to understand their personal risk level and risk tolerance when choosing to receive massage therapy.

Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions!  I am very interested in your thoughts and concerns.

Thank you for prioritizing your wellness and supporting the health of our community.

– Brenda