Opening Up! Please Read!
Good Morning,
I sent this open later today to all of my clients in the hopes that it finds each of you in good health and the good health of those who love and care about. I have received many calls text and emails from all over the world from as far away as New Delhi, India looking in on my welfare. It has brought me a great deal of joy during some difficult days. It has only reaffirmed my love of this profession and all of the people I serve. I have seen a number of colleagues lose their businesses and even a few that have ended their lives. I have seen an entire generation of very talented therapists disappear and even some of the best schools in the country shut down forever. I'm sure each of you could share the good and the bad of these last several months. The world is starting to wake up once more and so we shall begin again.
I am announcing that I will re-open my doors to all therapeutic clients on Monday, May 18. This was a difficult decision on many fronts. I was actually able to reopen on May 11 but I made it very difficult decision to remain closed pending the governors announcement last evening. As I'm sure many of you have experienced circumstances change hourly and that has certainly have for me as well. I can honestly say this will be the start of the most challenging my business has ever faced. I will lose my unemployment which is helped carry my family through this time I will only be able to be available for sessions on a part-time basis for the next several weeks as I am trying to also help businesses related to massage that are not yet ready to open but need assistance in doing so. Many of these businesses are running very low on cash I don't have the means compensate me yet. I also have several colleagues who will be using my space over the next few weeks to take in their therapeutic clients while they find alternative spaces. Your support by booking sessions or putting money on your account will be paramount to this companies survival. All I ask from each of you as my doors re-open is to be honest and be willing to make the subtle adjustments necessary to protect my health and those of other people will be in the space after you.
So what happens now? On Friday, May 15 (before 5 PM) the book a session page will reappear on my website. All adjustments to the schedule required for proper cleaning and sanitation will have already been made along with those days and times when I know I will be available. As before any open sessions you see are available for booking. I asked people to remember that these are for therapeutic services only. I am not legally allowed to take any form of relaxation services. I will be keeping my modified schedule most likely until June 1.
When you open up the book a session page you're going to notice a link at the top of the page regarding COVID-19. I'm going to ask you to please read that file before booking the actual session. If you have any questions about what you're reading please contact me before booking the session. Here are the simple highlights:
Mask will be required before entering the building. If you forget to bring yours please call or text me before you enter the building and I will bring one to you. This is of paramount importance because social distancing will not be possible and many of the practitioners and clients in the building are older and may be more susceptible to catching the virus.
Please do not wear gloves into the building. If you wish to wear gloves let me bring you a fresh pair before you enter. Gloves protect your hands but they also spread what is on your hands.
Please wash your hands when you enter the building and leave the building for your own protection.
You will be required to wear a mask during the session well laying face up. Due to respiratory complications the table has been modified to allow you to breathe while you were face down without a mask.
It is extremely important to arrive a 5 minutes early. Most clients assume that their session begins for example at noon so people arrive at noon. Noon is when I expect to have people on the table. Prescreening questions including the temperature check are still going to be required but should only take a few minutes.
The no call / no show policy will still be in effect. Your confirmation email will allow you to cancel or reschedule an appointment up to two hours in advance of the start of your session time. That means if you feel sick you still have the chance to cancel your appointment without penalty. But I want to make one thing extremely clear out of an abundance of caution for everyone. If you refuse to wear a mask when entering the building or choose not to submit to the pre-screening it will be treated as a no call no show and you will pay the 50% charge. As a private business I am allowed a certain amount of leeway on screening clients before they receive treatment. I am using that leeway to protect not only myself and my family but others who use building.
As I finish up this message I want to again say how incredibly grateful I am to all of my clients. This time has only made me realize how much I love my work. And how much all of you make my life better by choosing to come in and be a part of my practice. There has been a great hole in my life these last eight weeks and it was a space where all of you were. As much as this is a business it's about people more so. I look forward to seeing each and everyone of you.
Welcome Back,
Tony Schwartz