June Re-Opening: Slowly and With Caution
Safety First
I will be re-opening for in-person acupuncture starting on June 19. On this day, Juneteenth I will be donating every dollar made to the the Okra Project an organization that supports Black Trans people. The schedule will be open for appointments on Fridays only to begin with. If you would like to purchase your sessions ahead of time those dollars will also be donated! Purchase sessions and session packages here.
Here is what I want you all to remember when it comes to safety: The novel coronavirus is still present and it is still highly contagious and highly infectious. The infection rate is down only due to social distancing and widespread testing in New York City. It is important that you adopt habits of social distancing, mask-wearing and hand-washing for the long term. This will help keep everyone safe and we will be able to do more! Spending time with anyone outside of those you live with will be a risk. Wearing a mask and reducing the amount of time we interface with one another will lower that risk. Exposure to the virus x time exposed = risk of infection.
Here Is What It Will Look Like
• NYS is allowing acupuncture to be considered essential with your doctor’s recommendation.
• Appointments at this time are available to returning patients only. (No new patients yet, sorry!)
• All packages are still valid. Payment will be taken electronically ahead of time in order to reduce our exposure to each other. You can purchase a session or session package here.
• All consultation/discussion will take place over the phone or via video call before we see each other in person.
• Electronic consent and safety forms will be sent to you ahead of time for you to fill out beforehand and you can send me a picture of your tongue!
• Wearing a mask will be required and I will be taking temperature and pulse oximeter readings upon your arrival. If you don’t have a mask -don’t worry! Come to your appointment wearing a face covering and I will give you a free surgical mask. KN95 masks are available for sale for $7.
• I will have hand sanitizer available in several places for you to use. All frequently touched surfaces will be disinfected between each usage and each patient.
These procedures are meant to control spreading for me, you, our families and all of New York City. Please understand that these precautions are meant for all of our protection -to reduce risk of exposure and spread. Please continue to maintain good hand washing and mask wearing habits.
Who Should Come?
• If you and everyone in your household has been free of flu-like symptoms (cough, sore throat, fever, body aches) for 14 days and you have not knowingly come in contact anyone who has been sick, you’re welcome to come!
• Please do not come if you or anyone you have had exposure to anyone has had symptoms in the last 14 days.
• Make extra consideration to your exposure to elderly and immune compromised people in your home.
This is a weird time for all of us, so please do not hesitate to reach out to me with your individual concerns. It is important that we discuss the risks together.
If you or someone you live with or has been exposed to suddenly comes down with flu-like symptoms you can cancel your appointment without any charges. But please let me know ASAP.
LED treatments are available only for skin conditions and not for cosmetic purposes at this time. No facial treatments until further notice.
If you have a temperature upon entry you will be asked to go home, isolate and inform your primary care doctor.
What You Should Know About Me And The Space
I wear a mask everywhere outside of my apartment door. I keep my exposures low and am not socializing in person with people. I live with my partner who works from home and we are both only exposed to the grocery store, pharmacy and post office besides when I come into the clinic. I am not commuting by public transport and I have prepared being with you in-person by going on a protective herbal formula.
To keep the treatment rooms safe I am giving 15 minute buffers between appointments in order to spend time disinfecting the spaces. The other practitioners in the shared space are also working in limited capacities and we are not utilizing waiting room spaces anymore. Hand sanitizer is available in multiple places for you to use.
I will be wearing a mask, face shield and scrubs. Glove usage will be for cleaning. Using gloves during treatment will increase my risk of needle sticks and contamination. Please feel free to talk to me about this!
We Will Move Slowly And Cautiously Together
In the coming weeks, if there is a need and it is still safe, I will accept appointments on additional days. When it comes to safety I never want to rush to be first. However, I am here for you - there are a lot of virtual options that are 100% safe.
Justice And Safety Are Important
I am so grateful to see my community show up in the BLM movement. For non-Black folx, please remind yourself that this is an everyday fight. Keep at it. We cannot be a conscious community of loving people if we ignore pain and trauma.
If you’re a NY/NJ protester and would like to do a virtual herbal consult for prevention and immunity support, stress/anxiety I will be waiving herbal consult fees for BIPOC protesters . ( So sorry that I cannot waive the cost of herbs because it’s through the pharmacy). If you’ve read all the info on consults and would like to make an appointment for your free consult please email me here.
Virtual Services Are Available
Telehealth Acupressure Session
Telehealth Herbal Consultation
Virtual Offerings For ALL!
*All online group classes and gatherings are by donation. If you cannot pay, it is OK! I have created these classes because this is an important time to stay connected. Please do not hesitate to access these services - no questions asked.
June 9, 2020