Massage therapy school works closely, has no COVID-19 cases - RADIO.COM

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CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — While the novel coronavirus has forced many schools to move to online learning, a massage therapy school in Chicago has been able to keep the virus out of the classroom.

At the Soma Institute's downtown campus there are temperature checks, multiple screenings, plenty of personal protective equipment and questionnaires.

Founder and chief executive Joan Hannant said since the institute reopened to in-person learning in June, they haven’t had a single positive COVID-19 case. That's despite close quarters that makes social distancing impossible during massage training.

“Social distancing is obviously not an option in the training portion. So, our students wear masks at all times, gloves, goggles or face shields,” Hannant told WBBM.

At a time when other industries are seeing major layoffs and experiencing stress, Hannant said there's a shortage of licensed massage therapists.


She credited that strong need — plus people's interest in being their own boss — for Soma's solid enrollment.

Back in June, Hannant said enrollment in Soma's online health and wellness classes jumped by 80% between then and March, driven by people who had been contemplating a career change.

“You came into work Monday morning and you just couldn’t take that job anymore or you were underemployed or you become unemployed and now you want to pursue something that thought about for a long time,” Hannant said at the time.

There are about 500 students currently attending the school, preparing for careers in massage therapy and health and wellness coaching.