(and if you do get sick, please keep your germs to yourself)
By this time, I’m sure you are aware that COVID-19 (coronavirus) is beginning to widely circulate in the United States. This past Saturday, Vermont had its first presumptive positive test for the virus. With this announcement, I am reminded that we are not looking at “cases” but rather people who are sick. This person was hospitalized in Southwestern Vermont Medical Center in Bennington, VT. The adult patient is hospitalized in an airborne infection isolation room. At today’s news conference, Vermont Health Commissioner Mark Levine, MD told listeners, “Obviously that means this patient is on the more serious end of the spectrum of illness. I want to remind everyone though that the science as we currently understand it tells us that over 80% of affected individuals with COVID-19 will have mild to moderate illness and do not require hospitalization.”
With the current concerns about the new virus, I want to remind everyone to cancel your appointment if you are feeling sick. This has always been the protocol at Stillpoint as health and healing are of the utmost importance in my work. An issue like COVID-19 clearly represents a potential threat to our normal way of life, and for many of us that might mean questioning whether to receive massage or bodywork.
Unfortunately, there is no guidebook or directive to let us know the absolute correct answer, or even when that answer might change. The Centers for Disease Control (www.cdc.gov) and World Health Organization (www.who.int) are our guiding authorities when it comes to health issues. At this point, they are encouraging good hygiene (something massage and bodywork professionals are steeped in already) and to avoid contact with others if you are sick. Neither of those directives suggest not getting massage or bodywork, if you are in good health. I am getting my regular CranioSacral therapy session on Monday and intend to keep doing so.
In the meantime, I encourage youÂ
- to wash your hands for a minimum of 20 seconds
- to consider touching elbows or feet when greeting someone instead of shaking hands
- to stay home if you or anyone in your house has a fever (typically the first sign), cough, and shortness of breath
- to contact the Vermont Department of Health (802-863-7240) if you have returned from an affected area (China, Iran, South Korea, Japan, Italy,) less than 14 days ago
- to continue receiving craniosacral and massage therapy as it helps to support your system in managing stressors and balancing your parasympathetic nervous system
As more information is released that is pertinent to massage and bodywork, I will keep you updated. Until then, take care and be well.