Dear Friends:
How many emails have you already received with COVID-19 in the subject line?
Here is mine.
I’ve arrived at the hard decision to suspend my massage therapy practice from now through March 27, or 
until the signs are clear that re-opening is safe and responsible.
If you have an appointment scheduled during this time, I will follow-up directly with you to reschedule. But please read on…
As you know, I follow careful infection control in my office. Added measures, while helpful in reducing risk, do not fully address the need to “flatten the curve” of COVID-19 cases through social distancing. At this point, epidemiologists, government agencies, and school departments all point to the importance of minimizing close contact.
For the record, though, I want you to know that the contact we have is the highlight of my week. I will miss greeting you, talking with you, and providing you with this service. I always look forward to seeing you.
These are strange, frightening times. If you are already walking a hard road through health and healthcare, you might feel even more vulnerable and isolated than usual. Please reach out if you like. Let me know how you are doing. I am still here, and I welcome any and all email or phone updates.
Thank you for being a client or friend of my practice. I hope the weeks ahead are as smooth as possible for you and for everyone you hold dear.
I can’t wait to see you on the other side of this crisis.
Sincerely,
Tracy
Thanks for posting this, Tracy. I sent you a note via your website yesterday. I closed my practice to 5/1.
Big question for me is, then what? What are the risks for close contact between the initial surge of infections and the availability of a vaccine? Lots of other questions to follow….
Best wishes to you and yours.
Good question. “This is an evolving situation,” right? We will understand more as more testing becomes available and we know more about transmission.
This is so beautifully written., Tracy. Last week I made the hard decision to cancel\postpone clients who have traveled in the last two weeks. I am in the state of Alaska where so far there has only been one confirmed case, and it wasn’t even an Alaskan resident but rather someone who is traveling through by their own private jet.
All weekend I have grappled with a harder decision and that is whether or not to suspend my practice until this threat has passed.
I believe I am at odds with some friends, peers, and clients but ultimately it feels like the right thing to do.
Thank you for sharing how you’ve handled it. Health and best wishes to you and yours.
Rebecca
Good luck, Rebecca!
Thanks for leading the way in a gracious way. 🙂
🙂
Thank you. In my struggle to understand,Be responsible ..
Having sleepless nights-,At 3am your gift of wisdom reaches me.
Thank you
I look forward to seeing what is next
For me as a massage therapist and a human.. stay safe.