Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[JoeCamel]

This is going to be the new thing on these boards...people just walking around Disney trying to find that one instance where someone pulls down their mask for a minute or more than 5 people are standing with one another. and snap a picture and post it about how bad Disney and everyone going is......Its just ridiculous...people really need to stop just trying to paint EVERYTHING in a bad light....I see the same posters in 5 different rooms ALL DAY EVERY DAY just typing the same thing about how bad everyone that visits Disney is...we get it...you disapprove...move on

Sounds like someone needs to step away from these boards for a while....

 

[Yodascousin]

Sweden doesn’t even think the Swedish approach was the right one anymore.

Also, Sweden is nowhere near the legendary “herd immunity” numbers, so... what part of their approach worked?

That’s why I said it’s controversial it’s what the author and some people think not me personally. Plus more and more scientists believe 20 percent is needed for herd immunity because it’s believed that T cells are now more important in fighting off this virus than antibodies there have been a couple of studies done on this. Did you read the article or just the headline?

 

[Andrew C]

Sounds like someone needs to step away from these boards for a while....

The people being a bit too dramatic? Maybe.

 

[GoofGoof]

This is going to be the new thing on these boards...people just walking around Disney trying to find that one instance where someone pulls down their mask for a minute or more than 5 people are standing with one another. and snap a picture and post it about how bad Disney and everyone going is......Its just ridiculous...people really need to stop just trying to paint EVERYTHING in a bad light....I see the same posters in 5 different rooms ALL DAY EVERY DAY just typing the same thing about how bad everyone that visits Disney is...we get it...you disapprove...move on

I don’t disagree with your main point, but it’s definitely not a new thing on these boards.

 

[GoofGoof]

The people being a bit too dramatic? Maybe.

There would be a lot less people posting...on both sides

 

[Andrew C]

There would be a lot less people posting...on both sides

I would maybe lose half of my posts!

 

[mickey0825]

Sounds like someone needs to step away from these boards for a while....

good one

 

[GoofGoof]

I would maybe lose half of my posts!

We could still talk

 

[mickeymiss]

@mickeymiss was this what you were looking for?

What is the source? I have no idea who

@mickeymiss was this what you were looking for?

what is this source? I'm looking for health department and/or media confirmed. I can't qualify a social media post.

 

[Casper Gutman]

What is the source? I have no idea who


what is this source? I'm looking for health department and/or media confirmed. I can't qualify a social media post.

I don't know that you're going to find a major, thoroughly researched media source regarding cases at Universal or Disney unless there is a major outbreak or something like a union dispute draws attention. The theme parks are going to be very careful to keep any sick employees or lapsed safety procedures as quiet as possible and any Florida or Orange County health departments are very unlikely to highlight outbreaks at the parks. All we're likely to get are anecdotal bits and pieces from guests and castmembers, and your quite right about not lending them too much weight as evidence, though some will be more trustworthy based on sources. They can still be interesting, though - after all, these boards are driven by anecdotes.

All that aside, based on what we know of the virus, there is very little doubt that people will catch it at Universal and Disney. We don't know how many, but the number won't be zero.

Regarding the article about Sweden above, I only read the headline, because I'm not going to sign up to the paper to read the rest.

 

[GoofGoof]

The local department of health is not going to be reporting cases to the media. An outbreak could be identified by media players (even in other states) if based on contact tracing people who were at WDW test positive. Again, it may not get that specific. I know where I live several counties specifically identified out of state travel as a major cause of infections and they went on to identify Myrtle Beach and “parts of Florida” as some of the primary areas people had traveled to but nothing more specific. I haven’t seen any stories identifying specific businesses outside of the bar ones and they were sourced from social media. That’s the likely way a WDW story would get out. Story goes viral on social media and then reporter reaches out to someone from the story for quotes. It’s kinda bush league reporting, but that’s how a lot of the media works these days. Disney is in a different league from other smaller competitors but it’s still possible no stories ever make it out.

 

[mickeymiss]

I don't know that you're going to find a major, thoroughly researched media source regarding cases at Universal or Disney unless there is a major outbreak or something like a union dispute draws attention. The theme parks are going to be very careful to keep any sick employees or lapsed safety procedures as quiet as possible and any Florida or Orange County health departments are very unlikely to highlight outbreaks at the parks. All we're likely to get are anecdotal bits and pieces from guests and castmembers, and your quite right about not lending them too much weight as evidence, though some will be more trustworthy based on sources. They can still be interesting, though - after all, these boards are driven by anecdotes.

All that aside, based on what we know of the virus, there is very little doubt that people will catch it at Universal and Disney. We don't know how many, but the number won't be zero.

Regarding the article about Sweden above, I only read the headline, because I'm not going to sign up to the paper to read the rest.

Thank you for responding. Anecdotal observation has its place but my standards are higher when it comes to covid. I can't bring myself to take a social media post like that as evidence. I will kindly leave this particular twitter post on the cutting room floor unless something to substantiate it comes along

I think the conflict is that we actually don't have evidence that it does or would spread at a theme park. Enough of them are open now. Dr. Pino has said that they looked for theme park outbreaks and didn't find them. I found that comforting to know and more so since Disney seems to have a superior safety protocol.

I also never said no cases would ever occur among theme park employees or incidentally asymptomatic guests. Employees are in an age group that may choose to do higher risk things in their free time. Many covid infected individuals work but only select outbreaks have been connected to the workplaces especially after masks were mandated. I'm sure there has been a case here or there at places near me that I never realized. It doesn't indicate an outbreak.

The key is that we have a task force health official saying that no theme park outbreaks have been identified over a month along with numerous studies that casual transmission is rare. Add masks, distancing, sanitizing, capacity limits and the risk only decreases further.

 

[Yodascousin]

I don't know that you're going to find a major, thoroughly researched media source regarding cases at Universal or Disney unless there is a major outbreak or something like a union dispute draws attention. The theme parks are going to be very careful to keep any sick employees or lapsed safety procedures as quiet as possible and any Florida or Orange County health departments are very unlikely to highlight outbreaks at the parks. All we're likely to get are anecdotal bits and pieces from guests and castmembers, and your quite right about not lending them too much weight as evidence, though some will be more trustworthy based on sources. They can still be interesting, though - after all, these boards are driven by anecdotes.

All that aside, based on what we know of the virus, there is very little doubt that people will catch it at Universal and Disney. We don't know how many, but the number won't be zero.

Regarding the article about Sweden above, I only read the headline, because I'm not going to sign up to the paper to read the rest.

Ah ok as the author outlines what he believes they got right. Basically he says that their curve is the same as every other country in Europe and that there stats regarding covid are better then some countries that did lockdown and there has been no disruption to their kids education. He is of the impression that lockdown makes no difference to the curve and that the benefits of one are negligible especially if governments deem a second lockdown is needed. He goes on to say that if a vaccine is found before the end of the year then perhaps Sweden did get it wrong.
IMO this virus has a natural curve it hits the vulnerable hard but then starts to fizzle out on its own, Sweden for example are continuing to see cases and deaths fall in line with other European countries. Unfortunately the damage this virus does in the beginning is horrific but after the initial surge it’s impact weakens significantly once the general population are exposed long enough

 

[Miss Bella]

This is going to be the new thing on these boards...people just walking around Disney trying to find that one instance where someone pulls down their mask for a minute or more than 5 people are standing with one another. and snap a picture and post it about how bad Disney and everyone going is......Its just ridiculous...people really need to stop just trying to paint EVERYTHING in a bad light....I see the same posters in 5 different rooms ALL DAY EVERY DAY just typing the same thing about how bad everyone that visits Disney is...we get it...you disapprove...move on

Yep it’s the same the handful of posters saying the same thing over and over again. I would hate to be a lurker that came here looking for information. You would think you’d stumbled on the “ I hate Disney forums”.

 

[GoofGoof]

I think the conflict is that we actually don't have evidence that it does or would spread at a theme park.

I agree with the main point of your post. Theme parks are no more risky than a lot of other things people can do. The point above I do disagree with though. There’s no reason to believe the virus can’t or doesn’t spread at a theme park. The CDC guidance says that the main source of Corona virus spread is from respiratory droplets and while it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Although not the main way it spreads it’s still possible to get infected from surface contact. Masks and distancing should mitigate most of the risk from respiratory droplets while outside and even in indoor spaces like ride queues, but dining could still be an issue and transport seems like a grey area. I’m not trying to scare anyone or spread doom and gloom about the parks opening, I’m just pointing out that there is definitely still a risk of getting infected there. We all have to decide which risks are worth taking based on our personal situations.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Thank you for responding. Anecdotal observation has its place but my standards are higher when it comes to covid. I can't bring myself to take a social media post like that as evidence. I will kindly leave this particular twitter post on the cutting room floor unless something to substantiate it comes along

I think the conflict is that we actually don't have evidence that it does or would spread at a theme park. Enough of them are open now. Dr. Pino has said that they looked for theme park outbreaks and didn't find them. I found that comforting to know and more so since Disney seems to have a superior safety protocol.

I also never said no cases would ever occur among theme park employees or incidentally asymptomatic guests. Employees are in an age group that may choose to do higher risk things in their free time. Many covid infected individuals work but only select outbreaks have been connected to the workplaces especially after masks were mandated. I'm sure there has been a case here or there at places near me that I never realized. It doesn't indicate an outbreak.

The key is that we have a task force health official saying that no theme park outbreaks have been identified over a month along with numerous studies that casual transmission is rare. Add masks, distancing, sanitizing, capacity limits and the risk only decreases further.

The task force health official in Orange County is highly motivated to downplay cases at theme parks, and even given that he acknowledges cases. Can you imagine a scenario where he answers a question by saying, “Oh yeah, there've been a ton of cases at Universal.”

I also fear you may be overestimating how casual contact at a theme park is. Passing another person in a park while you are both wearing masks is very low risk. Passing people over and over, some with masks down, for eight hours a day every day for a week and then sitting inside in a dark ride or a 3D theatre stretches the bounds of “casual.”

 

[Heppenheimer]

Yep it’s the same the handful of posters saying the same thing over and over again. I would hate to be a lurker that came here looking for information. You would think you’d stumbled on the “ I hate Disney forums”.

Most of us who waste too much time hanging around here love Disney, from the parks to the entertainment. That is why we are extremely worried that this re-opening will do more harm than good.

And some of us work in health care and are even more worried about the potential of the re-opening to make an already out-of-control pandemic in this country even worse.

 

[Casper Gutman]

Ah ok as the author outlines what he believes they got right. Basically he says that their curve is the same as every other country in Europe and that there stats regarding covid are better then some countries that did lockdown and there has been no disruption to their kids education. He is of the impression that lockdown makes no difference to the curve and that the benefits of one are negligible especially if governments deem a second lockdown is needed. He goes on to say that if a vaccine is found before the end of the year then perhaps Sweden did get it wrong.
IMO this virus has a natural curve it hits the vulnerable hard but then starts to fizzle out on its own, Sweden for example are continuing to see cases and deaths fall in line with other European countries. Unfortunately the damage this virus does in the beginning is horrific but after the initial surge it’s impact weakens significantly once the general population are exposed long enough

I’ve read your informative post and looked at some other things the writer has said. Sweden has suffered much worse then its neighbors. Snowdon seems only to want to compare it to the UK, which hasn’t handled things well, rather then to other nations that seem to offer closer comparisons.

He is also very economically focused, and seems to be more concerned with minimizing economic impact rather then minimizing negative outcomes. This seems to make the mistake of believing the two can be separated - that the virus can rage but the economy not suffer much.

If lockdowns don’t reduce the spread of the virus, I’m not clear on how the virus spreads. What is his model for that spread? It should be noted that every country still has ALOT of vulnerable population left and “herd immunity” is, for all intents and purposes, a myth (according to The Lancet.)

 

[Miss Bella]

Most of us who waste too much time hanging around here love Disney, from the parks to the entertainment. That is why we are extremely worried that this re-opening will do more harm than good.

And some of us work in health care and are even more worried about the potential of the re-opening to make an already out-of-control pandemic in this country even worse.

Not everyone that works in healthcare is of that opinion. I think it’s pretty clear at this point where people stand on the issue. It’s the same debate over and over again.

 

[disneygeek90]

I agree with the main point of your post. Theme parks are no more risky than a lot of other things people can do. The point above I do disagree with though. There’s no reason to believe the virus can’t or doesn’t spread at a theme park. The CDC guidance says that the main source of Corona virus spread is from respiratory droplets and while it may be possible that a person can get COVID-19 by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it and then touching their own mouth, nose or possibly their eyes, this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads. Although not the main way it spreads it’s still possible to get infected from surface contact. Masks and distancing should mitigate most of the risk from respiratory droplets while outside and even in indoor spaces like ride queues, but dining could still be an issue and transport seems like a grey area. I’m not trying to scare anyone or spread doom and gloom about the parks opening, I’m just pointing out that there is definitely still a risk of getting infected there. We all have to decide which risks are worth taking based on our personal situations.

I don’t think anyone is going into the park thinking there’s zero risk. Of course there’s risk. But I believe the measures put in place in the parks lowers that risk significantly and I personally feel comfortable the majority of the time I’m there.

Of course there’s a hiccup every now and then but it’s no different than someone doing something dumb anywhere else.