As the side effects of the Vaccine have been unpredictable, please do not schedule an appointment within 4 days of getting the 1st or 2nd vaccination. Please be mindful of my cancellation policy.
Feb. 11, 2021:
At this time I am fully vaccinated and am accepting new clients that have also been vaccinated. I still ask that you are practicing strict social distancing, as well as wearing masks while in public. My apologies for any inconvenience, but given the multiplier effect, this is what I am comfortable with at this time.
Personal services are considered by the CDC to be “medium risk occupations”. This means medium risk to both the provider and the client due to the time spent in close proximity.
Time in proximity and the prevalence of asymptomatic spread is a huge concern for any of the professions that must put aside the 6-foot physical distancing guidelines in order to work. I personally have concerns about the variety of ways in which this disease presents; specifically the high likelihood that asymptomatic or pre-symptomatic transmission is common as well as the prevalence of blood clots associated with COVID-19 infections. I am continuing to keep an eye on the research and hope to evolve my understanding of the ramifications and dangers involved as related to massage and bodywork.
If you would like more information about the blood clotting issues you can find them here and here.
What to expect:
As I move forward with resuming my practice, a few changes will be in place. I will be taking the following precautions in order to reduce the risk of exposure for you and myself as well as for the other practitioners and clients that utilize the building.
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Masks are required at all times in the building. Please bring a mask or one will be provided for you before entering.
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An exception can be made during your session when you are lying face down with your face in the face cradle – We will utilize a loose pillowcase under the headrest as a loose barrier in that case.
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I will be wearing a mask during the session and possibly gloves (for example, if I have a hang nail or cut).
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I will have an exhaust fan running the entire session to move air through the room and out the window, as well as an 2 air filters. The Air Doctor filters up to .03 microns, including mold spores.
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All surfaces that you will come in contact with in the course of your session will have been cleaned thoroughly prior to your appointment (this is not new, but I am including this for the sake of transparency).
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Hard and non-porous surfaces will have been cleaned and disinfected with medical grade disinfectant.
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Linens are laundered and stored in plastic containers as to not allow for contamination.
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Treatment rooms are vacuumed daily.
What I ask of you:
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Please bring a mask and a water bottle.
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Please take your own temperature prior to coming in. Anything over 100.00 is enough to require a re-schedule.
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If you have ANY symptoms whatsoever please be in touch to cancel your appointment. This includes allergies.
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We have a thermometer for use at the office and I will take your temperature prior to your session. It’s not clear to me that this screening is useful but it certainly cannot hurt.
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I will ask you to fill out a new informed consent form prior to your first appointment back.
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If at all possible arrive freshly showered and wearing clean clothes.
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If at all possible, make your appointment the first stop of your day (i.e. please don't go grocery shopping & get a haircut before coming in).
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Upon arrival, I will meet you for your session on the porch. We have added a plastic enclosure for you while you wait to make it more comfortable during the winter months.
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Please utilize the provided hand sanitizer or wash your hands immediately upon entering/ before going upstairs.
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Once in my office, our sessions will proceed as they always have with the exception of now wearing facemasks for the entirety of the session (unless you are face down).
In an effort to make quality bodywork accessible, I will NOT be increasing my fees at this time. My rates are low given my 17 years of continued education and experience. That being said, I have had a great deal of expenses buying PPE supplies and have not yet received Gov't assistance during this time.
I ask that you please pay CASH or Venmo when possible, however new clients will be required to prepay using a credit card.
You will be given an opportunity to "tip" upon check out. This allows me to continue to offer reduced rate sessions to others. Please pay it forward if you are in the position to do so. Priority for sliding scale is given to BIPOC, non-binary and trans folx. Please get in touch directly if you would like to learn more about this offering.
BODY ALTAR MASSAGE stands in solidarity with Black Lives Matter and movements dedicated to dismantling systems of oppression toward Black and under-served communities.
Please know that I am thinking of all of you and I trust that you are finding ways to nourish and care for yourselves in the face of all that is happening in our world.
With LOVE,
Andy Blum LMT