I need to be very firm on this as each year, there are a few clients have turned up for their appts unwell or
with a cold, or a cold on its way out. Let’s make 2020 a safer year for us all. DO NOT GET MASSAGE until the Cold or Flu has COMPLETELY gone. I will not accept the appt and the client will be sent home (and invoiced as this could have been avoided and the appt filled as there is a very large waitlist), so this year as I just cannot risk this again. One example from 2019, a client turned up and said their cold was gone, it very obviously wasn’t, but I am a softie, and I felt bad as they had travelled a long way for their massage. Guess what? I got sick and had to cancel 30 clients for the week prior to my dearly loved holiday to the south island ☹ Being self employed we sadly don’t get sick pay, and having to cancel 30 clients is a nightmare for them and me. Some clients wait a long time for their appt and to have to cancel over something which could have been avoided is terrible.
Please if you are coming into the clinics be mindful of this, and if you have been overseas recently please let me know.
I come into contact with a lot of people on a day to day basis my job as you know involves touching the skin, which increases the risk of contamination to its highest level, I have to put not only my health first but the health of my other clients also, especially my clients that are immune compromised.
And in light of the following this wee memo is very timely: China’s mystery new coronavirus is spreading fast. The bulk of cases have been confined to China but the virus is gradually spreading further afield. So far cases have been confirmed in more than 13 countries, including France, Australia and the United States.
🛑 Wʜᴀᴛ ᴀʀᴇ Cᴏʀᴏɴᴀᴠɪʀᴜsᴇs?
Coronaviruses are a family of viruses that originate in animals before making the jump to humans. Seven, including the new virus, have been found in humans, with four causing only mild, common cold-like symptoms.
But two – Middle East respiratory syndrome (Mers) and severe acute respiratory syndrome (Sars) – are much more severe, having killed more than 1,500 people between them.
Around 15 to 20 per cent of hospital cases are severe and the current death rate stands at about two per cent. This is quite high but it may be because authorities are not aware of milder cases of the disease.
🛑 Wʜᴀᴛ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ sʏᴍᴘᴛᴏᴍs ᴏғ ᴛʜᴇ ɴᴇᴡ ᴄᴏʀᴏɴᴀᴠɪʀᴜs?
According to WHO, symptoms of the Wuhan coronavirus usually include:
➖ Feeling tired
➖ Difficulty breathing
➖ A high temperature
➖ A cough and/or sore throat
These symptoms are similar to other respiratory diseases including the common cold, itself a type of coronavirus. So if you have symptoms consider the following:
1️⃣. Have you travelled in the last two weeks to a high risk area?
2️⃣. Have you been in contact with someone who has?
🛑 Wʜᴇɴ sʜᴏᴜʟᴅ I sᴇᴇᴋ ᴍᴇᴅɪᴄᴀʟ ʜᴇʟᴘ?
If you have travelled to Wuhan City in China (or another significantly affected area) in the last two weeks, or have been in contact with someone who has and feel unwell, CALL your GP/ Doctor or Healthline for advice now.
Do NOT go straight to a doctor's surgery or hospital as, if you have the virus, you risk spreading it to others.
🛑 Hᴏᴡ ᴀʀᴇ ᴄᴏʀᴏɴᴀᴠɪʀᴜsᴇs ᴛʀᴀɴsᴍɪᴛᴛᴇᴅ?
Like other coronaviruses – such as the common cold – the virus is spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. It can also be spread when someone touches a contaminated surface such as a door handle etc.
🛑 Hᴏᴡ ᴄᴀɴ I ᴘʀᴏᴛᴇᴄᴛ ᴍʏsᴇʟғ?
Hand hygiene is the first and most important line of defence.
Like cold and flu bugs, the new virus is thought to be spread via droplets when a person coughs or sneezes. The droplets land on surfaces and are picked up on the hands of others and spread further. People catch the virus when they touch their infected hands to their mouth, nose or eyes.
It follows that the single most important thing you can do to protect yourself is to keep your hands clean by washing them frequently with soap and water or a hand sanitising gel.
Also try to avoid touching your mouth, nose or eyes with unwashed hands – something we all do unconsciously on average about 15 times an hour.
Other tips include:
🔘 Carry a hand sanitiser with you to make frequent cleaning of hands easy.
🔘 Always wash your hands before you eat.
🔘 Be especially careful in busy airports and other public transport systems about touching things and then touching your face.
🔘 Carry disposable tissues with you and always cover your nose and mouth when you cough or sneeze before disposing of the tissue carefully (catch it, bin it, kill it).
🔘 Do not share snacks from packets or bowls that others are dipping their fingers into.
🔘 Avoid shaking hands or cheek kissing if you suspect viruses are circulating.
🔘 Regularly clean, not just your hands, but commonly used surfaces and devices you touch or handle.
🛑 ”Safe Hands" - Please ensure you are following your Health and Hygiene guidelines, washing hands correctly and using gloves when applicable.