I'm wondering whether to post some guidelines for the upcoming flu season, which may be more "intense" than usual given media attention to the H1N1 virus.
I do maintain the highest standard of sanitation... I'm more concerned about loosing clients to fears of H1N1 transmission if in fact it becomes like the last hoopla, with schools closing, etc.
Did any of you address concerns like this on your website/policies sheet during the time when the "Swine Flu" (now H1N1) was headline material?
Youngliving.com has a waterless hand purifier that will kill anything. It is called THIEVES! It is the best and is full of Essential Oils and contains no Alcohol.
I felt my clients out when the initial outbreak occured. I actually ended getting really sick in June with fever, but never got tested for H1N1, but one doesn't usually get fever in June.
As a massage professional and self-employed, I find my clients are appreciative of the information and sanitation protocol I use. I always tell my clients that if they feel less than 100% please re-schedule. I have never had a problem in losing a client over that or information regarding H1N1.
The strange thing about information on H1N1 is my office is located in a building where I am the only massage therapist with psychotherapists and it's their clients I hear hacking/sneezing/blowing their noses in the waiting room and when I try to have a conversation with the therapist about my concerns of the virus, they look at me like I have a third-eye, so for that reason, I take extra precautions in hygiene.
Knowledge is power.
H1N1 is still here and I have a feeling it will get worse before it gets better, it's sweeping the Southern Hemisphere right now as it is their winter and it is just a preview of what is to come for us.
I didn't post anything regarding H1N1 when the outbreak first hit the media in waves but the topic was touched with just about every client when they came as a piece of conversation. As a whole, if I or my clients are feeling sick the appointment(s) are rescheduled accordingly - it's not something I've ever discussed, it's just something that came naturally in our 'relationship'.
I do, however, plan to address flu season and, by default, H1N1, prevention methods through cleanliness, and care methods (including not getting a massage) when sick in an upcoming monthly eNewsletter. It'll be the first time but my client list is growing and some new ones aren't as regular and therefore I don't have as in-depth relationship with as I do others so I want to cover all basis. Afterall, I have two little kids at home to look out for besides myself.