Virus costing hands-on workers all their incomes in bleak economy
Social-distancing mandate is affecting massage therapists, other businesses
The COVID-19 outbreak has caused Erica Sainsbury to rethink a career that for the time being she can no longer practise.
“We are in a state of fear and pandemic that is not very encouraging to touch therapy, despite its positive impacts on the immune system and overall health,” says the Ottawa-based registered massage therapist.
“I am thinking a lot about what I do for a living, feeling out if this career really is the best use of my talents and skills, and how I can be of service in this world if I can’t do what I’ve been doing.”
Sainsbury has been prevented from working by last month’s provincial emergency declaration that closed down all Ontario businesses deemed non-essential in an attempt to limit the spread of COVID-19. This week, the declaration was extended an additional week to April 13.
While the declaration lists healthcare professionals providing emergency care as essential businesses — including dentists, optometrists and physiotherapists — the College of Massage Therapists of Ontario, which regulates registered massage therapists, has taken the position that they should not practise.
“CMTO does not view the practice of massage therapy as emergency care,” says an update on the college’s website.
“I am now unemployed and have been banned from practising,” Sainsbury says.
She is among an untold number of Ottawa residents whose handson work doesn’t square with social distancing. Furthermore, while meetings and lessons have gone online, there’s no way to use the internet to deliver a massage, haircut or dog-grooming session.
A registered massage therapist since 2012, Sainsbury says she’s now doing her best to home-school her seven-year-old daughter. She says her new pandemic reality has been “quite a wild ride,” and that she’s been experiencing a broad range of intense emotions — “lots of frustration, anger and fear, lots of stress and tears, and then beautiful moments of feeling connection and hope after a good cry, a good release and hugs.”
Kayla Anka, who is a self-employed dog groomer, has also seen her income disappear due to COVID-19.
Anka, who has been grooming dogs for 10 years, says she isn’t eligible for Employment Insurance. She will apply instead for the new federal Emergency Care Benefit and hope that it will cover her rent and groceries because, as a single mother, she doesn’t have anyone else helping with those expenses.
“There are a lot of people who are going at their own dogs with scissors right now,” Anka says. “It’s not the same as hairstyling. With dogs, it can be kind of painful and not good for them in the long run. I’d like to be able to help the desperate ones, but I’m not allowed.”