that I grew up poor. Being out of work doesn’t frighten me because I’ve seen it before under worse conditions. I believe in options and creativity and that nothing is final.”Others echo the idea that nothing is final, and are managing the profound loss of business with an understanding that this isn’t their time, but will be again one day. “We are closed. The government has mandated no massage therapy. I support this decision to keep everyone safe,” says Kim Rossi, the spa director at the Art of Living Retreat Center Spa in Boone, North Carolina.The need for touch will never go awayThe irony that the benefits massage provides would be extra helpful now as people find themselves more anxious, depressed, and isolated than ever is not lost on most massage therapists. “Today, in the middle of the COVID-19 crisis, both givers and receivers of consistent consensual touch are facing a different risk,” explains Jacobs. Research has shown that being deprived of human contact, or being “touch starved,” can affect blood pressure, heart rates, depression, and anxiety.“Human contact is very grounding. We need connection for our wellbeing. It reduces stress. It grounds us and connects us, not only to the other, but to ourselves,” explains relationship expert and author Susan Winter. “In our busy world, we can tend to live in our heads, multi-tasking; touch in the form of massage brings us back into our body. If you deny touch, you deny a sense of belonging. ”The future of massag Some worry that a lingering fear of touch will remain even after social distancing measures are lifted. People may not rush to pay strangers to touch them right away.“Understandably, no one wants a massage during a pandemic, and I’m sure most therapists wouldn’t want to risk giving one,” says New York City-based licensed massage therapist Tom Meade, who has practiced massage for 26 years and normally averages 30 hours of massage for clients a week but is now entirely without work. “It’s made me somewhat uncertain about the future. When will we be allowed to work and will people be afraid of massage? There is likely to be varying levels of PTSD after this calms down,” he shares.“I’m waiting to see the outcome of our state opening before going forward and taking sessions that are further away,” says Valerio. “We’re probably less than a month away now from figuring out if a second wave will knock us back into quarantine or if we may proceed and try to get our schedules filled again in the safest way possible. I am hopeful that the coming weeks will present different ideas and opportunities with regards to connecting with clients,” she says. “My overall sense is that we are going to be OK, better than we were,” says Winters. “Stronger and more united and hopefully, realizing the benefit of self-care, human touch, a Response Protocols to COVID-19 More than ever, protecting massage therapists and clients starts before you arrive for your appointment. Standard Precautions for all client care: www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/infection-control-recommendations.html. Massage therapist will use a no-contact thermometer to take client’s temperature upon arrival; ask the client to reschedule if their temperature is 100°F or higher. If the client is not wearing a mask as you requested during the reminder email/phone call. Initiate doorway screening checklist questions: Have you had a fever in the last 24 hours of 100°F or above? Do you now, or have you recently had, any respiratory or flu symptoms, sore throat, or shortness of breath? Have you been in contact with anyone in the last 14 days who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has coronavirus-type symptoms? Health-Intake Updates Client understands that, because massage therapy work involves maintained touch and close physical proximity over an extended period of time, there may be an elevated risk of disease transmission, including COVID-19. By signing this form, I acknowledge that I am aware of the risks involved and give consent to receive massage and bodywork from this practitioner Prescreening Call Questions asked to client day-before reminder/screening call: Have you had a fever in the last 24 hours of 100°F or above? Do you now, or have you recently had, any respiratory or flu symptoms, sore throat, or shortness of breath? Have you been in contact with anyone in the last 14 days who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 or has coronavirus-type symptoms? If yes on any, reschedule without penalty. Explain revised Cancellation Policy and that there is no penalty if they wake up with cold or flu symptoms and need to cancel on day of, but to still notify you as soon as possible. Take a minute to explain any new protocols as necessary, including the client’s wearing of masks as they arrive for their appointments. Does the client have a mask they can wear? Let them know you can provide a mask and describe to them how you want them to use it during their visit: have the mask on when entering the premises; together, you will evaluate their breathing comfort during the prone positioning portion of their massage session. The mask protocol is consistent with the CDC’s recommendation to the general public advising them to wear a cloth face covering whenever they must leave their home. (Lets dicuss this last statement) The use of hospital grade, EPA-approved disinfectants to clean anything the client