Governor Abbott - you left out one key group today during your press conference. Massage therapists and those who run massage establishments deserve to be able to open and provide an income for their families. Most massage therapists are independent contractors or small business owners and many do not qualify for unemployment. Massage therapists have been closed since March 20th and many chose to close before that date. We deserve the ability to make an income too.
If your strike force feels it is safe for hairstylists, barbers, tanning salons, nail salons, cosmetologists, and even gyms to begin opening safely, many of us simply do not understand why you excluded massage therapists (and those with massage establishments).
Why is this important?
Massage therapists provide medically necessary services for their clients including but not limited to services that:
1. Boosts the immune system
2. Help drain the lymphatic system
3. Reduces pain and inflammation
4. Improves circulation and lowers blood pressure
5. Lowers stress
6. Helps with fatigue
7. And a multitude of other benefits
Many of our clients have chronic illnesses and come to us to help alleviate pain and to maintain a higher quality of life.
By forcing us to stay closed, you are handicapping us and preventing us from taking care of our families as well as handicapping the thousands and thousands of clients across the state who come to massage therapists for a multitude of reasons. If a client can go to a physical therapist or chiropractor as well as get their hair and nails done (or tan or go to a gym), certainly they should be allowed to make this choice for themselves as well.
How it will be delivered
