GRAND RAPIDS MICHIGAN
Bathhouses & Covid
Michigan has undertaken a massive effort at stopping the spread of covid in our communities with one of the strictest lockdowns in the country. After 3 months, testing capacity has greatly increased and the infection rate has dropped significantly. Because of all our efforts, Michigan is safer. However, there is still potentially some possibility of infection any time you or anyone in your household goes outside. Whether you are going to the grocery store, getting take out, or meeting with a friend there is some degree of risk, but certain precautions can be taken to protect yourself and others.
We at The Diplomat encourage those who are among the higher at-risk groups to take any and all precautions, and we would even recommend them to stay at home. Fortunately, we do know that the vast majority of those infected do recover and many will not even have symptoms. We also know from scientific data that those with symtoms are much more infectious than those without symptoms. That is why we have implemented a screening test involving a temperature check and questionairre every time a member or employee enters our club. We have distanced our furniture and seating, reduced our capacity, closed and altered certain areas, and have taken up a very stringent cleaning schedule. Renting a private room is a great way to relax away from home. Masks are available here and anyone who wants to socially distance is able to. Everyone sanitizes their hands when entering the facility. The hot tub and showers kill viruses on the surface of the skin.
The Diplomat has always played an important role in the sexual health and well-being of our community. We are one of the few facilities continuing to offer HIV screening for free, and we still offer condoms and lube as well. We know that when the bathhouse closes, people resort to meeting in ways that are less safe, meeting people who are not health screened or ID checked, and meeting in places that can pose both legal and health risks. All our guests are ID'd and checked against a banned list and therefore everyone's security and privacy is ensured in our facility. Our staff have been covid-trained by infectious disease professionals at the Red Project, so we are here to answer your questions and provide sound advice on how to protect yourself from covid if you are sexually active. Just talk with any of our staff.
We stand with you during these times as we have since 1980. Please be considerate and take the precautions you feel comfortable taking, and if you don't feel well, stay home and talk with your healthcare professional about getting tested for covid.
We will get through this together!