What Is Your Criteria To Begin Receiving Massages Again?

[Dmitri]

As most have mentioned in this Forum, they have curtailed getting massages due to Covid 19, myself included. My last massage was in mid-February, almost 2 months ago. I had thought I would start again after the crisis had "died down", but with the more we learn, the more conflicted I become. I realize there is no "end date" on Covid 19 "going away." It is not as if we know that on July 5th, 2020 it is gone forever, for example. Until there is a vaccine (12-18 months away)....or a treatment to prevent/stop/slow infection, we will be living with this for a long time. So we are not talking another month or two.....but much longer. The CDC is now even saying that just speaking with someone can spread the virus because it is airborne. Then throw in the wild card of the very large number that are and stay asymptomatic but still spread the virus. So for myself, I will only feel comfortable returning to get a massage when there is either 1) a treatment that prevents/stops the virus or 2) A vaccine, which hopefully will be out in about a year. Until that happens, I feel getting a massage with the super close contact is risky. Hard to relax and let go with a massage when in this environment. What is your criteria to begin receiving massages again?

[+ Just Sayin]

good question! I am so eager to get a massage and be touched again!

[massagelover]

For me it will be when the rate of new infections has gotten low enough, so that even if I were to get it (or transmit it) from any circumstance - whether a massage, or out to dinner, etc - I would not pose a risk of over-burdening the health-care system if I happened to be in the small minority of people who require hospitalization. We're not close to that point yet - if we're lucky, maybe in 6-8 weeks?

[+ beethoven]

An excellent question, one that I've been pondering lately. Even when we can resume normal activities -- go to the movies, to a restaurant, ride a crowded subway -- will we still feel comfortable being in close contact with someone who has been in close contact with many people in the week or weeks prior to us?

 

Will we still go to the movies as often as we did? To restaurants and bars and museums? There will always be a lingering doubt and caution, I'm afraid. Dmitri's mention of a year and/or waiting for a vaccine will make it difficult for most of us, but he has a good point. Unfortunately.

[bigjsd]

One of the things that will make things "safe" moving forward will be improved treatment protocols. From what I understand, the treatment protocols are being adjusted on a daily (hourly) basis as they understand more and more about the way the virus works.

 

(I am not a medical professional, nor do I play one on TV -- please take the following with a huge grain of salt and my views and opinions do not reflect the view or opinion of this website or anyone sane)

 

One of the anecdotes I read was that a typical flu-like protocol they were using was actually (counter intuitively) causing issues in patients that had already gone pneumonic. So they have started to investigate this protocol. Another anecdote was based on the anti-inflammatory response to steroids and the cause of the inflammation.

 

(I highlight anecdote because it is just that at this point. An single point of data which has not be tested or vetted properly yet.)

 

This doesn't mean you won't be able to get it, it means that the treatment you receive for it is constantly improving. Ideally we get an effective vaccine and we don't need to worry about the treatment -- but a vaccine will take time, even when fast tracked by the FDA.

 

All that being said, I am beginning to think it is will be a long time until massage activities resume for me.

[OCDallas]

How about when non-essential businesses are re-opened and legally allowed to operate? Feel like this is a common sense question and people are just looking for reasons to justify seeing a masseur. Just STAY HOME. It’s not that difficult.

[woodworker]

After I catch and recover from the virus, as confirmed by a blood antibody test and nasal swab... when my doctor tells me I'm no longer contagious... THEN I'll binge on massages, "massages" and cock.

[bigjsd]

How about when non-essential businesses are re-opened and legally allowed to operate? Feel like this is a common sense question and people are just looking for reasons to justify seeing a masseur. Just STAY HOME. It’s not that difficult.

 

Oh, definitely not until then. I would actually say even after everything reopens that you want to give it a little bit more time.

[bigjsd]

After I catch and recover from the virus, as confirmed by a blood antibody test and nasal swab... when my doctor tells me I'm no longer contagious... THEN I'll binge on massages, "massages" and cock.

 

This is another good answer.

[+ Axiom2001]

Oh, definitely not until then. I would actually say even after everything reopens that you want to give it a little bit more time.

 

I appreciate your serious response to the query. I'm with you, for I am not engaging in "any very close activity" until the virus has substantially subsided or perhaps ended during these times.

 

I'm hoping it has ended by the end of July or mid August-- but if it is not prevalent sooner, I'll just abide by the current guidelines which have been issued by our governmental and health officials....

[Rod Hagen]

After I catch and recover from the virus, as confirmed by a blood antibody test and nasal swab... when my doctor tells me I'm no longer contagious... THEN I'll binge on massages, "massages" and cock.

 

You'll likely have a different crop to choose from as those escorts and masseurs who can't work now are evicted and younger guys who drop out of the gig economy are going to become career-flexible in order to pay rent. Strange world.

[+ beethoven]

I look at it this way: My parents' generation was asked to fight World War Two. My generation was asked to fight in Vietnam. I've been asked to stay home and watch TV. I think I can handle that

[woodworker]

You'll likely have a different crop to choose from as those escorts and masseurs who can't work now are evicted and younger guys who drop out of the gig economy are going to become career-flexible in order to pay rent. Strange world.

 

Gosh, Rod. This is so awful. I wish I could give you a big hug.

[Redwine56]

I look at it this way: My parents' generation was asked to fight World War Two. My generation was asked to fight in Vietnam. I've been asked to stay home and watch TV. I think I can handle that

Beethoven-you do have a unique way of putting things in perspective. I find this to be a hopeful and uplifting thought. Still can't wait to get a massage.

[+ nycman]

After I catch and recover from the virus, as confirmed by a blood antibody test and nasal swab... when my doctor tells me I'm no longer contagious... THEN I'll binge on massages, "massages" and cock.

Best answer so far.

 

I was going to say after 2 months with zero transmissions in NYC, but I like your nerdy answer better.

[+ aeikaryoko]

You'll likely have a different crop to choose from as those escorts and masseurs who can't work now are evicted and younger guys who drop out of the gig economy are going to become career-flexible in order to pay rent. Strange world.

Strange and very sad in times like this.

[LookingAround]

Best answer so far.

 

I was going to say after 2 months with zero transmissions in NYC, but I like your nerdy answer better.

You’ve got a couple of years to wait maybe more.

[Bacon]

Definitely not until proven treatment protocols are in place and stay-at-home orders are ended. I'm keeping fingers crossed for drug trials -- remdesivir, favipiravir and tocilizumab, leronlimab, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, even thalidomide (I'm pretty sure I have a hostile colon and won't get pregnant) and interferon. A vaccine would be ideal, but that's months away.

[Rod Hagen]

Gosh, Rod. This is so awful. I wish I could give you a big hug.

 

Thank you wood; I'm darkness AND light :-)

[Rod Hagen]

remdesivir, favipiravir and tocilizumab, leronlimab, hydroxychloroquine and azithromycin, even thalidomide

 

Don't forget Viagra :-)

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2020-04-05/viagra-discovery-could-treat-coronavirus-patients

[lonely_john]

A vaccine, or the prophylactic method available by the time. I wonder if there will ever be a PrEP version for Covid-19. Hopefully the vaccine will come first.

Edited April 8, 2020 by lonely_john

[lonely_john]

Easy to suggest that when you are young and I’m in my 50s

Edited April 8, 2020 by Cooper

[lonely_john]

I look at it this way: My parents' generation was asked to fight World War Two. My generation was asked to fight in Vietnam. I've been asked to stay home and watch TV. I think I can handle that

True but don’t forget Afghanistan

[+ E.T.Bass]

I'll wait as long as it takes to understand when there is no longer risk.

[marylander1940]

Easy to suggest that when you are young and I’m in my 50s

 

Considering how many people in our community end up committing suicide I wouldn't make a joke about it. Besides some folks out there are truly suffering because of the changes to their lifestyle, finances, etc.

Edited April 8, 2020 by Cooper