Bug spray is preventative not curative. A population of people wearing it might not get bitten but the presence of repellent does not stop the spread of virus carrying insects. It diverts them somewhere else. That said, good on Disney for being proactive.
The facts are pretty clear, and I do not think the media has overblown anything to date. This is a horrible virus that can devastate fetal development, so all pregnant women, women planning to get pregnant, and men with a pregnant spouse or planning to get a spouse pregnant absolutely must take notice. This is arguably Disney's core market.
Zika hits Orlando and the ramifications are significant. It does not matter if the transmission happened at MK or EPCOT. It matters that it happens in Orlando.
Looks like it's not just Disney but all of the major park operators in Central Florida:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/heal...rld-insect-repellant-zika-20160827-story.html
This was the can on Sunday.So in that article it say that Disney is giving out pump bottles of repellent those photos the other day showed them giving out aerosol. So anyone there can I ask which is it?
The cans in resort guest rooms are aerosol cans. The park locations have both pump style and aerosol available so you can use whichever you prefer.This was the can on Sunday.
http://www.wdwmagic.com/resorts/wal...osquito-prevention-station-at-epcot/28718.htm
I wouldn't be surprised if the cost would be partially compensated for in Zika funding packages.
It's also awesome advertising for the Cutter brand. The two major brands in this space are Off! and Cutter. Which one are you going to buy after a visit to Disney or seeing this on the news? I am sure they provided the product at no or reduced cost. Win/win situation if I was in marketing.
I highly doubt that it's no cost. Agree that there shouldn't be a problem of it was though. I'm horrible and use repellent that does not contain DEET. But I will get it for our cruise.I actually see no problem with this (providing cans at no/reduced cost), as I would rather individuals use EPA-approved effective repellents containing DEET than get scammed by the fakes that have popped up.
If it was like state of emergency bad I wouldn't even go, but if it is like it is yeah we'll definitely be wearing as little as possible to avoid the heat. I guess the only people that would are those super modest people, I don't know why and how they do it though.The protective clothing is ridiculous. No one in Florida, especially Miami and South Florida, is going to walk around in long sleeves and pants this time of year. My son and I will not be wearing long sleeves and pants on our cruise, even to the places that have known Zika transmission. We will wear bug spray, and bathing suits.
Makes you wonder if there was grant money involved through the Feds funneled through the state...wouldn't surprise me.Looks like it's not just Disney but all of the major park operators in Central Florida:
http://www.orlandosentinel.com/heal...rld-insect-repellant-zika-20160827-story.html
I do think this will have an impact on attendance.
I completely agree with this. Also, out of that 13% of 18-35, not all, or probably even the majority, are in family planning stages. Not even all of the 12% 'young with kids in household' is.Let me explain why I think there will be little impact on attendance from Zika or little economic impact, although it is a concern. According to VisitFL data, out of all domestic visitors to Florida (annual avg 80 mln), adults of child-bearing age (18-35) account for 13% 'young with no kids' and 12% 'young with kids in household'. Many of those visitors would be coming from feeder states (eg GA, TX, NY, NC) that also have moderate risk for Zika virus (due to the vector mosquito habitat area). As such, I assume they would have some awareness about the Zika virus and how to prevent its transmission. The northern states have low risk, so then it becomes a question of when do they (eg IL, OH, PA, MA) usually visit Florida? I'm assuming a split between summer and winter months. So, looking towards next summer/mosquito season, it depends on potential locally-transmitted cases in Florida. I would expect future outbreaks in the US to remain limited due to vigilance and increasing public awareness. I also expect better diagnostic tests/ capabilities (ie young couples to be tested for the virus and plan accordingly).
I could be wrong of course (since tourists typically avoid areas of disease outbreaks), nevertheless the conclusion I've reached (so far) is that there will be a low or limited economic impact and that any decrease in attendance would rebound fairly quickly.
I completely agree with this. Also, out of that 13% of 18-35, not all, or probably even the majority, are in family planning stages. Not even all of the 12% 'young with kids in household' is.
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