Juan Zavala, better known as ‘Juanito el Sobador’, said that his massage business located in East Los Angeles was closed from March to May of 2020 and later they opened with extreme limitations, since it is impossible for them to maintain six feet of distance.
Since then, when they serve their clients they use protective equipment such as gloves and masks. However, the place is also professionally disinfected once a month, indicated Juanito, of 63 years.
He adds that although COVID – 19 never infected him or to his family, the pandemic did severely affect his income. During all this time, they had been engaged to sell more their naturist products online.
“To pay the rent of the premises, the owner gave us installments,” said Juanito, who said that he began as a sobador of footballers in the years 70 and worked for the America team for 04 years.
Ricardo Con, an acupuncturist and owner of the Center for Chinese Medicine in Huntington Park, faced a similar situation.
With Chinese roots, he said that due to the state order, he closed his office from March to June of 2020.
Later it opened but with limitations. He also dedicated himself to increasing the telemedicine service and offering herbal medicine.
“When I had to see patients in person I was very careful, I used protection. I have a professional protective mask ”, he indicated.
The acupuncturist assured that during all this time he has been kept safe and has not been infected with the virus. However, his business was also severely affected and he had to reach an agreement with the owner of the premises to allow him to pay his rent in installments.
“I have always tried to give some of the rent ”Said Con, who had his Huntington Park office for more than 20 years.
Difficult access to financial aid
Both Juanito and Con indicated that their businesses have never been confused with other types of massages, such as erotic ones, since they have a long history in their communities where they are well accepted.
However none of them have qualified for federal, state or local grants.
Con said that because it is a business with only one employee, he did not qualify for the help he requested. And Juanito indicated that although he asked for help, they did not receive anything because supposedly he no longer reached the budget.
“I consider that we are essential for the community… Besides, the city comes to review each of us for a while, ”said Juanito.
The owners of these businesses only had the option of requesting loans that they would have to repay, but they refused to request them since -they indicated- with the lack of sufficient income they feared they would not be able to pay back.
“I did know about a friend who makes furniture that they did make him a loan of $ 100, 000 dollars but he has to return it ”, said Juanito. “From there I have not heard of any other business that has received the money.”
In the middle of 2020 the California State Oriental Medicine Association (CSOMA) sent an open letter to the California Department of Public Health requesting that it list licensed acupuncturists as “Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers” as they provide essential medical care and are certified in infection control.
Con said they have been identified as essential workers but he feels they don’t have the same kind of help as other healthcare workers.
Massage therapists are also considered essential since therapy is considered a specialized clinic, according to the Council for Therapy of California massage.
Since October 2020 they were allowed to work again within their facilities with modifications in California and are already eligible for their COVID vaccine – 19 under Phase 1a: the public health sector and the health of California’s essential workforce.
However, a representative of the LA Regional Covid Fund, a group that provides financial assistance to Los Angeles County businesses , said massage therapists do not qualify for county financial assistance, which offers up to $ 10, 000 in grants.
From April 5 The Los Angeles County Health Department indicated that personal care facilities can increase r up to a 75% the maximum occupancy in its indoor services.
These businesses include esthetician, skin care and cosmetology services; non-medical electrology; body art professionals, tattoo parlors, microblading, permanent makeup and piercing, massage therapy (non-medical); tanning services; nail salons; hairdressers and barber shops.
This Wednesday afternoon the Los Angeles Department of Health had a teleconference scheduled where it would discuss an update with the personal care service businesses.