Who would have thought it would have come to this???
I am adhering to the non-essential business closure to keep people healthy. I pride myself in keeping my massage business as clean as possible (fresh sheets, towels, hand sanitizer, disposable face rest covers, etc), massage also means 60 to 90 minutes in very close proximity with another person. In my area, about 1 out of every 10 gay male masseurs have closed. Which means 9 out of 10 have not. I understand their decision even if I do not agree with it. We are self employed which means we are not immediately eligible for unemployment insurance, so if we close there is absolutely no money coming in. The latest stimulus package provides for self employed people, but it has been three weeks since that has passed and my state still is not accepting claims from self employed people. Fortunately, I am better off than most, I have money set aside and a husband who is still working. Others I know are not as fortunate. There is also no set date when things can get back to normal.
So I understand why some of my fellow massage therapists are still working. It is a little harder to understand the clients, but this is hardly unheard of. If the fear of AIDS in the 80's was not enough to stop risky behavior, the Coronavirus is hardly going to stop it.
I hope that everyone is staying safe and healthy. I hope that you all survive the temporary financial set backs.
- Jack
