Dear Clients,

Hi, I think we're all getting a bit weary of the Covid procedures (well, I certainly am), but with cases on the rise again, I'm trying to get more educated about the Delta variant. It already feels a bit cliche to discuss it!

Here are a few resources I'm watching:

The Maine CDC Data page.....way at the bottom is a list and one of the items is the Tables of Data for the past 14 and 28 days. This is where I've been checking out the community transmission numbers - I mention this in the confirmation/reminder email. I do change that email up from time to time! Check the date at the top to see if there is new info such as when to come inside, what types of masks are required, etc.

If the numbers for the past 28 days are below 8, community transmission is LOW. Between 8 and 16, it is MODERATE, and above 16 it is HIGH. At the mid-end of July Somerset county had two weeks at Low, and Franklin had one week before they both started rising again. The new data gets posted every Thursday, and yesterday's numbers had Somerset back in the HIGH range and Franklin back in MODERATE...Maine is also back to HIGH.

The new thing to watch I hear is the county-by-county map for indoor face coverings. I hadn't looked at it until just now, and the entire state is orange or red except for three counties (today, Franklin appears to be yellow, but Somerset is orange). You can also click through for a county-by-county map of the entire country, and there are many different drop-down options to see how everything is going. I'd point out that the Maine and Federal county colors don't match - Federal colors Franklin orange, only Kennebec and Sagadahoc remain yellow. So basically...remain cautious.

If you don't feel well, please reschedule. If you have close contact friends or family who don't feel well, please reschedule. Masks continue in my office as they have been, and...I hope you all stay well. It's hard to remain vigilant where we have so few cases nearby, but...I suppose we must.

Cheers,

Liz

Dear Clients,

I've been getting lots of questions about whether my policies have changed now that folks are starting to get vaccinated, so here are my thoughts.

If you have gotten a Covid vaccine, you are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after your last dose (2nd dose Pfizer/Moderna; Single dose Johnson & Johnson). If you are following the recommendations by the CDC, you are welcome to come in for your appointment at any time. If you are traveling, or visiting socially with people, or have been in contact with a known Covid case, feel free to check in with me...I'm going to go with my gut, but I'll also be checking out what the U.S. CDC has to say. As far as traveling goes, I'll be following what the Maine CDC is requiring. The CDC guidelines do not apply to workplace or healthcare settings.

If you aren't fully vaccinated yet, or don't plan to be, my policies are the same as they have been. After traveling/gathering in groups/visiting long-lost-relatives, please allow 14 days before your next appointment.

I'd love to be able to allow free-choice of which type of mask you're wearing - so as a perk for those who are fully vaccinated, you get to wear your mask of choice! You still have the wear the mask during your whole appointment. For those who are not fully vaccinated, I'm still requiring KN95s until the community transmission* in Franklin and Somerset counties is LOW. Right now it is HIGH, and on the rise since last week. I still have plenty of KN95s on hand!

I'm pretty sure I've mentioned this to everyone, but in case you're wondering...I got the Moderna vaccine back in Jan and Feb, and have been fully vaccinated since February 23rd.

A last note off-subject...I plan to work a few "light-load" weeks rather than taking a full vacation week this spring, so there might be a bigger gap than usual between your appointments. If the timing for your appointments matters (travel, medical appointments, other commitments, etc), please let me know - I'll try to give those with stricter schedules first go at their requested weeks.

As always, thanks for reading my long email, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Happy Spring,

Liz

Dear Clients,

Well, it was a nice stretch of low case-counts, but as they say, the time's they are a changin'. 

First I want to thank you for trusting in my protocols for being open during this pandemic. The recent surge is troubling to me, especially since it is here in our local schools and businesses. My plan is to stay open as long as I feel I can keep everyone who comes for massage safe from Covid-19 transmission, so I have been taking a hard look at how to "batten down my hatches" so to speak.

With the SARS-CoV-19 virus transmitting through aerosol droplets, I believe my air-safety measures are *nearly* as good as they can be, but for one exception. The place I see to be the biggest weakness is the type of masks worn by clients (mostly cloth and surgical-style), specifically the ability of these masks to air-seal and achieve true filtration and protection. As a result I'm asking you to choose a KN95 mask or equivalent.  

You can get KN95 masks locally.  I have some available if your don't have one - a $3-$5 donation is appreciated but not required.  Jordan's and the pharmacy have also had them available.  

Now that we have "community transmission," I'm also asking for a 14 day buffer if you have been present at "gatherings," even if they are small. If you are following CDC guidelines, staying masked, and socializing or working outdoors, that's fine. If you are going to indoor restaurants, or taking part in small indoor gatherings where your mask is removed for eating and drinking, I ask that we delay your appointment. If you fall somewhere in the in-between, or aren't sure, let's talk! This is not meant to include those people who you consider to be in your household.

I truly do appreciate your business, your trust in my protocols (more details below, if you care to read, and feel free to ask questions) to keep everyone safe, and we need to do all we can to keep each other safe as well. I will also ask that you consider your actions in the community, and how those decisions might impact other clients in my practice's "bubble."

Of course I have discussed these things with many of you, and seldom (can't think of one) have any red flags gone up. One of the state recommendations is to limit casual conversation, and I haven't pressed this issue because I often learn valuable information both about how you carry yourself during a pandemic, but also what activities may have contributed to the surprise tender spot that I happen across! I strive to be transparent about my actions during the pandemic, and am happy to address any questions or concerns so don't hesitate to reach out. You can always request appointments first-of-the-day, first-of-the-week, or after my longer lunch break (typically 60-75 minuntes) if you prefer a time when my room has had longer to air out.

I do intend to teach skiing this winter on the weekends at Sugarloaf, and will wear my KN95 while indoors.  I haven't figured out how to eat lunch yet.  Maybe soup through a straw?   I do know that Sugarloaf is screening employees daily on arrival to work, and has protocols in place for a safe winter - even air purifiers in the locker room!  

Stay well my friends!

Liz

PS For the science-detailed types 🙂

So my room is half the size of the room rating for my HEPA air purifier (Honeywell HPA300) which has a 5 air change/hr rating. I have one cracked window near the head of the table - and will crack another when temps allow. I just added a humidifier in the treatment room, and will keep the room warm and comfortable. I wear a "pre-pandemic" N95 mask (I have 5, one for each day of the week, and I date the bag each day when I remove it, then rotate through accordingly. I typically work 3 days per week, no more than 4) and sport-sunglass-style glasses for protection against accidental respiratory droplet-to-eye contact. I just ordered two more HEPA filters from Honeywell - one for the bathroom, and one for the laundry room where I seem to be spending my "free time."  My protocols are 30 minutes between appointments, disinfecting with an EPA registered disinfectant (Bioesque Botanical Disinfectant - EPA Reg. #87742-1), which has a 4 minute kill time. I typically spray my table, face cradle, desk, file-cabinet handle, any other handle touched, lotion/oil bottles and pump top including the underside, doorknobs/edge of door, client chair, floor in front of client chair and at head of table where hands might touch down, and I put my air purifier on "turbo" with door closed after disinfecting. Any disinfectant puddles (typically on my table, desk, client chair and floor) are wiped dry before the next client arrives, and the purifier is turned to the highest normal setting during the appointment for noise-reduction purposes.  I'm sure I've left something out because fortunately some of these cleaning protocols have become close to clockwork! 

Dear Clients,

The state has finally issued the long-awaited industry guidance checklist for massage facilities. I’ll be putting out a short-version for new intake/extake (extake? is that a word?) procedures, but for those who are interested in the nitty-gritty details of what I’ll be having to comply with, have a read here. Currently the allowed opening date is July 1st, but the fingernails are coming off today, and Dave will be getting the first test-massage to make sure I remember how to do it! Stay-tuned for updates for rebooking…

Cheers,
Liz

Dear Clients,

The state has finally issued the long-awaited industry guidance checklist for massage facilities. I’ll be putting out a short-version for new intake/extake (extake? is that a word?) procedures, but for those who are interested in the nitty-gritty details of what I’ll be having to comply with, have a read here. Currently the allowed opening date is July 1st, but the fingernails are coming off today, and Dave will be getting the first test-massage to make sure I remember how to do it! Stay-tuned for updates for rebooking…

Cheers,
Liz

Dear Clients,

I was hoping to start with some re-booking by now, but as you may have seen or heard, massage is listed as being able to reopen during Phase 3 of the governor’s plan for re-opening Maine. The guesstimate for when that will happen is currently July/August, although I’m maintaining my optimism that maybe we will be able to keep the Covid enough at bay for an earlier reopening. But at this point, I’m having to cancel all future bookings at this time. HOWEVER, it does appear that massage can be allowed with a doctor’s orders note. If you want to pursue that with your doctor, please let me know! I have several clients who are looking into that option, so I am looking into what steps to take in order to have my office prepared for reopening.Many of you have asked, and I am still holding up well–I’m very grateful to live somewhere I have ample outdoor activities! Thanks for asking 🙂

I’m also grateful to be an introvert who is content not socializing for long periods of time. And to have my jewelry business at home to let me be creative and have a little income. I do know there are others who desperately need that social contact, and I hope we can have that opportunity back in the safe-zone sooner than later–And when that happens, even this introvert will be glad to be social again! You may want to know what my plans are for when I can fully reopen. I will say the thing I am most concerned about is my ability to reopen with a full schedule, so the one mostly concrete decision I’ve made is that I’ll be working fewer hours per day, but more days per week to spread out the physical load for me. This will also let me schedule sessions with plenty of time in between for cleaning. There will likely be some new self-assessment intake questions before you arrive, having to do with travel, or contact with people from Covid hot-spots. I’m not sure if at that point I’ll have to take everyone’s temperature or not, or if I’ll have to be donning PPE (including gloves/mask) during our session, but that seems very likely. I’m sure that will all become more clear in the coming weeks and months.

If you have expectations on how I can make my office procedures safe for you to return comfortably, please don’t hesitate to reach out! This is all new, and we’re in it together. Once I have a definite date for reopening, I’ll be in touch to schedule appointments. If you want to reach out about scheduling, that is also fine 🙂 Know that I am wishing you well, thinking of each of you, and hoping you’re finding time to get outdoors as the earth awakens. Let’s all continue to do our part to keep safe so that we can see each other soon!

Cheers,
Liz

P.S. I’m also enjoying a life with fingernails long enough to tap with, although I think I’ll get tired of them before too long! They do get in the way…head on over to my facebook page to check out the percussion!