Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[1HAPPYGHOSTHOST]

I know a lot of people (not on this board) say we can't shut down again, but it seems that states are opting to do just that.

LA just closed their beaches for the 4th.

Nonesense. If you are worried about the beaches you do what you have to to make them safe but those beache will be open for this weekend. Gonna be one of our best summers ever. Amity errr Los Angeles as you know means "friendship"

 

[Miss Bella]

It’s a magical virus that supports leftist protests and only causes problems when conservatives gather, even in their cars, don’t you know?

Anyway, leaving the land of biased media and going back to the land of reality for a bit, I'm still really curious to see how well mask enforcement will work here. As has been pointed out by many, a Disney World park is not Disney Springs and it's certainly not Shanghai Disney. People here in the states are assaulting grocery store workers, throwing food, etc. over basic mask policies in comfortable environments. Heat index of 115 + American attitude + full day at a park is going to lead to some very interesting videos.

I'm not sure why WDW is requiring masks outside. I'd love to see the science behind that. I did see the throwing food video, but that's a very isolated case. Maybe she was having a COVID mental breakdown. I've been there. Throwing things is very therapeutic. I wouldn't do it in a grocery store because as you can see you end up on youtube. I'll tell my 15 year-old to have his phone ready maybe he can finally get all those views on his channel he's been wanting.

 

[Miss Bella]

Depends on what time of day you ask me! Haha.

I think regional parks might be ok? I really want to convince myself to go to Dollywood but I’m not comfortable yet and I’ve been enjoying state parks and national forests around me.

My problem with Disney is there is so much happening indoors, plus the travel to and from florida. I could see California opening before Florida since it’s so much more outdoors there and there’s no resort transportation that Disney runs. But here we are!

I know who's against it because they post it like fifty times a day. I had the feeling you were a flip-flopper that's why I asked. How is California more outdoors? It's been a while. The transportation is easily fixed by a lyft or uber. It just adds on to the budget.

On a positive note because I'm all about being positive. It's better for your immune system, I got an email from Disney telling me because I previously had dining reservations. I get first dibs on making them tomorrow. I know the system won't crash... positive thoughts.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

I know who's against it because they post it like fifty times a day. I had the feeling you were a flip-flopper that's why I asked. How is California more outdoors? It's been a while.

The majority of the parks in California are outdoors in the open air. They take advantage of the climate. If it’s been a while you should plan a trip when things get back to normal - it’s a way more Disney experience in my opinion even though I do love Epcot and DAK.

 

[InnKpr]

I really want to convince myself to go to Dollywood

As a local, I can tell you the Pigeon Forge/Gatlinburg/Smoky Mountain area is not a place to come if you're seeking refuge from coronavirus. We had a meeting in town today for local businesses to plan what to do next as this thing spikes. Luckily, shutting down completely is off the grid for now, but mandating certain measures could be on the horizon, since our friendly posted reminders to social distance and wear masks is falling on deaf ears among visitors.

Sevier County tackles spike in COVID-19 cases

Sevier County businesses were asked to attend a meeting in Pigeon Forge Monday to talk about the COVID-19 situation and the nearly 300% rise in cases in the county.

www.wvlt.tv

Also, in addition to us becoming a "hot spot" for the virus in Tennessee, also keep in mind that Dollywood, which is known for it's shows, has closed all of it's indoor theaters until we can get this virus to calm down. Not trying to scare you away, but realistically inform since this thing has bitten folks thinking we're a "safe alternative" for travel.

 

[WDWTrojan]

Of course the protests spread the virus...tell me where social distancing was practiced. Our mayor even encouraged protestors to wear masks in Charlotte.

Again, while there may have been some incidental infections, there is no spike in the places where protests were the greatest. Nothing like we are seeing in FL, AZ and TX. This does not bode well for the protests as being some kind of super spreading events. It is probably the fact most of the protestors wore masks and it was outdoors.

It’s a magical virus that supports leftist protests and only causes problems when conservatives gather, even in their cars, don’t you know?

Anyway, leaving the land of biased media and going back to the land of reality for a bit, I'm still really curious to see how well mask enforcement will work here. As has been pointed out by many, a Disney World park is not Disney Springs and it's certainly not Shanghai Disney. People here in the states are assaulting grocery store workers, throwing food, etc. over basic mask policies in comfortable environments. Heat index of 115 + American attitude + full day at a park is going to lead to some very interesting videos.

What? Do you not understand that we would see spikes in the places where the protests were highest if outdoor transmissions in masks were super prevelent? The transmission seems to be driven primarily by people gathering indoors in bars, restaurants, churches, etc. Anywhere a lot of people are gathered without masks.

 

[milordsloth]

This does not bode well for the protests as being some kind of super spreading events. It is probably the fact most of the protestors wore masks and it was outdoors.

I think it bodes well for places like Disney if the protests aren’t leading to surges. That is the perfect example to use that both outdoor exposure and masks work.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I think 4 people showed up.

BIGLY...very bigly

I keep telling people the constitution protects protesters from the virus. The constitution seems to be biased though because according to the media it only protects during certain types of protests.

...oh here we go...

I know who's against it because they post it like fifty times a day. I had the feeling you were a flip-flopper that's why I asked. How is California more outdoors? It's been a while. The transportation is easily fixed by a lyft or uber. It just adds on to the budget.

On a positive note because I'm all about being positive. It's better for your immune system, I got an email from Disney telling me because I previously had dining reservations. I get first dibs on making them tomorrow. I know the system won't crash... positive thoughts.

Ehhh...If you want to be “the voice of reason”...you can’t go to the tired old “blame the media” nonsense prior.

I mean...that has been consistently what fools resort to when they run out of failed theories to shout. This isn’t new.

Look for facts and observe what humans do in situations...and always follow the money.

There - I just explained how everyone can see through “media bias”

It’s works every single time. It’s common sense applied.

 

[WDWTrojan]

I think it bodes well for places like Disney if the protests aren’t leading to surges. That is the perfect example to use that both outdoor exposure and masks work.

The problem with Disney is the indoor queues, where a lot of people are breathing in the same air for extended periods and restaurants, where air conditioning can circulate the air beyond the 6' of social distancing.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The problem with Disney is the indoor queues, where a lot of people are breathing in the same air for extended periods and restaurants, where air conditioning can circulate the air beyond the 6' of social distancing.

Didn’t you hear? New Disney customers are gonna be “toughies” that no longer need air conditioning...or unrestricted breathing zone...

Only problem is it’s never happened...never even considered...and never once part of the designs of the buildings...

But let’s see it? Fun in the sun...from dawn till dusk and beyond.

 

[MrMcDuck]

I'm not sure why WDW is requiring masks outside. I'd love to see the science behind that.

Well, there are areas of the parks where people are going to bunch up and where any amount of social distancing, not just six feet, but even one meter like is the standard in some European countries, is impractical, so a mask does make theoretical sense. And "Outside" doesn't make the virus go away entirely. It just makes transmission less likely. The problem comes from the factors I mentioned earlier. Masks may not fly here, especially during the Summer. We'll see.

I did see the throwing food video, but that's a very isolated case. Maybe she was having a COVID mental breakdown. I've been there. Throwing things is very therapeutic. I wouldn't do it in a grocery store because as you can see you end up on youtube. I'll tell my 15 year-old to have his phone ready maybe he can finally get all those views on his channel he's been wanting.

I've certainly had some bad moments during all of this, but I can't imagine taking out my anger on an employee. And yes, food throwing is an extreme example, but there are lots of reports and videos of people being nasty and fighting the requirements. Wearing a mask while shopping in a store is not really that big of a request.

 

[Yodascousin]

https://news.ki.se/immunity-to-covid-19-is-probably-higher-than-tests-have-shown. Some more good news another study showing that there’s probably more immunity in the population and that the T cell response is more significant than producing antibodies

 

[lazyboy97o]

Well, there are areas of the parks where people are going to bunch up and where any amount of social distancing, not just six feet, but even one meter like is the standard in some European countries, is impractical, so a mask does make theoretical sense. And "Outside" doesn't make the virus go away entirely. It just makes transmission less likely. The problem comes from the factors I mentioned earlier. Masks may not fly here, especially during the Summer. We'll see.

You also just don’t want people messing with them. Constantly taking the mask on and off as they may near others. It is also a lot easier to enforce a uniform rule than get into issues of whether or not someone was too close.

 

[Patcheslee]

Or a bunch of cast members test positive?

No because cast members are not quarantined to only Disney property.

 

[WDWTrojan]

No because cast members are not quarantined to only Disney property.

No. If 30 cast members working in Fantasyland, for example, get COVID-19, that's a big problem.

 

[Touchdown]

It’s funny that anytime someone expresses concern about being in a crowd instantly bring up protests, heres places I haven’t visited since March:

-Church (and yes, I typically go so don’t try to box me into a political box, I’m won’t fit any)
-Resturants (except take out/drive thru)
-Mall
-Bars
-Theme Parks
-Movie Theatres
-Protests

I have gone to work (while I work in a hospital I actually feel pretty safe there as everyone who works is following CDC guidelines and using PPE,) I have gone into grocery stores, and I have extremely selectively seen my family. I don’t see my behavior changing until Covid numbers change dramatically from where we are now.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

No because cast members are not quarantined to only Disney property.

Which is why they are in a precarious position...Across the board. Outside of the pearly gates, Orlando looks like any slightly impoverished overcrowded urban fringe area you see in any other city in America. The employees don’t take the cash home with them
And drive their Tesla’s to hermetically sealed gated communities.

No. If 30 cast members working in Fantasyland, for example, get COVID-19, that's a big problem.

A PR nightmare they have zero desire to handle.

But what if it’s one person at a time in several places? The operation is already gonna be screwy and then they’d have to do A team and B team type stuff to clear pockets of people for 2 week periods that may have been exposed...and pay them?

Not good for them at all.

 

[mickeymiss]

It's impossible to avoid mentioning the protests because it's still the single most reported on event in our country right now. I can barely find covid articles anymore. Protests are relevant to this dialogue because they validate arguments in favor of opening Disney safely. As someone who supports everyone's right to protest, I was hoping we'd use this protest data to help apply standards across tbe board for everyone. Think of how many protests occured across the country and the consensus is still that there were no spikes associated with them. This should serve as good evidence that outdoor transmission even without social distancing is extremely rare. It's hard to take anyone seriously when they say prolonged standing outside side by side with thousands of people for hours in one place is better than spreading out at a giant capacity limited theme park that transformed itself to be safe.

We can argue the virtues of protests all day long but we have been asked to stop doing other things that are arguably more vital to a lot of people. Weddings, funerals, births, family reunions with loved ones they never see.
Some of us never will get that lost time back. We tell ourselves it was worth it to protect each other but my husband's grandmother takes medication for depression because she is extremely isolated. We are paying a lot of prices for this new normal. Taking a vacation at the one tourist destination that is taking this beyond seriously doesn't feel dangerous to me otherwise I would understand the arguments of how it's not necessary right now. There willl be untold consequences of closing again. People will be out of work again and the idea of backsliding into unemployment and all that comes with it is a crisis of its own. We need to make sure that shut downs are based on proven unacceptable risk versus a knee jerk reaction. Many businesses won't survive a second closure. I can't see how.

 

[Disstevefan1]

I tested positive for this. I asked the same question...the way you get false positives is if they mix up your tests with someone else. But the test itself isolates for one thing only...if you get a positive, you're positive. On the other hand, my wife and son both tested negative despite having the exact same symptoms I had. I have zero doubt they both had exactly what I had...including distinctive symptoms like complete loss of taste and smell. The test is difficult to administer and if you get it too early on, it won't show up. It spits out a LOT of false negatives. I'm telling you that with no agenda at all...I experienced it personally (which in anecdotal) and discussed it with my primary care doctor and my next door neighbor who is a doctor at a hospital...and reviewed the CDC's website about it.

Makes sense. The thought of false negatives makes this even worse.

 

[Kevin_W]

We talked a lot about schooling earlier in this thread. A statement from American Academy of Pediatrics (which I gather is a pretty well-respected organization).

"...the AAP strongly advocates that all policy considerations for the coming school year should start with a goal of having students physically present in school"