Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[DCBaker]

"The Food and Drug Administration said Tuesday data from Pfizer’s coronavirus vaccine trials was “consistent” with recommendations put forth by the agency for an emergency use authorization, adding the vaccine was highly effective and did not raise any specific safety concerns.

In briefing documents published ahead of an advisory meeting Thursday to review Pfizer’s vaccine, FDA staff also said data submitted appeared to show the vaccine provided protection after the first dose. Pfizer’s vaccine requires two doses about three weeks apart. Two doses of the vaccine were “highly effective” in preventing confirmed cases of Covid-19 at least seven days following the second dose, the agency said.

“As such, FDA has determined that the Sponsor has provided adequate information to ensure the vaccine’s quality and consistency for authorization of the product under an EUA,” the agency wrote in documents posted on its website.

The FDA is expected to decide on whether to authorize Pfizer’s vaccine within days.

The documents posted Tuesday offer a glimpse of the FDA’s view of the vaccine. The FDA is scheduled to convene a meeting of its Vaccines and Related Biological Products Advisory Committee, known as VRBPAC, on Thursday to review Pfizer’s Covid-19 vaccine with German drugmaker BioNTech for emergency use."

"There is currently insufficient data to make conclusions about the safety of the vaccine in children less than 16 years of age, pregnant women and people with compromised immune systems, the FDA said Tuesday."

FDA says Pfizer Covid vaccine provides some protection after first dose, meets success criteria

The FDA said data from Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine trials was "consistent" with recommendations put forth by the agency for an emergency use authorization.

www.cnbc.com

Here are the docs published by the FDA today -

https://www.fda.gov/media/144245/download

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Won't the CMs be vaccinated though?

Who’s paying/coordinating that?

And anything in Florida laws (Swiss cheese) that would require vaccination for employment? It is a “right to exploit” state.

 

[easyrowrdw]

Opinion | Find Your Place in the Vaccine Line (Published 2020)

See when you might be able to get a shot.

www.nytimes.com

I'm behind 268.7 million people. I'm ahead of only three people in the little graphic.

 

[dreday3]

Why can’t they go on?

Well they can, but I sure hope the requirement drops eventually. People will always be allowed to wear face mask though if they want.

I wear the mask because we should, but I certainly don't enjoy it. Especially walking here in the cold right now - the condensation in the mask is just gross.

We will be in Disney next May and I expect to be wearing them.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Perhaps. Disney may or may not choose to require CMs to be vaccinated, but some may have legitimate medical reasons for not getting one if they have an allergy to a vaccine ingredient. There's also the less than 100% (but still great at ~95%) efficacy. They may choose to require proof of vaccination for guests in order to better protect those guests and CMs with valid medical reasons for not getting it.

Disney imposing a vax requirement seems DOA to me. However I am not a medical or legal professional.

(I’m a former Disney one...and currently an environmental/health one...so that’s where it’s a comin’ from)

 

[dreday3]

Opinion | Find Your Place in the Vaccine Line (Published 2020)

See when you might be able to get a shot.

www.nytimes.com

I'm behind 268.7 million people. I'm ahead of only three people in the little graphic.

I'm in front of you! I have 15 people behind me.

I'm confused as to why they have children in front though...I thought I read they'd be last to get (if no underlying conditions).

 

[Horizons '83]

Disney imposing a vax requirement seems DOA to me. However I am not a medical or legal professional.

(I’m a former Disney one...and currently an environmental/health one...so that’s where it’s a comin’ from)

I honestly think they will keep the current requirements (masks, distancing, limited large crowd experiences) until we hit a certain point in the pandemic where we are comfortable. Not sure what that number is or when that will be (maybe Fall 2021 if we are fortunate) , maybe say less than .5% positivity rate or something to that effect. I just can't see them being able to mandate a vaccine so in leu of that, keeping things the status quo will have to suffice.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well they can, but I sure hope the requirement drops eventually. People will always be allowed to wear face mask though if they want.

I wear the mask because we should, but I certainly don't enjoy it. Especially walking here in the cold right now - the condensation in the mask is just gross.

We will be in Disney next May and I expect to be wearing them.

Everyone hopes...but “can’t” I’d an absolute that Is incorrect.

They opened in July and people showed. Though they made it optional which is patently stupid.

There are people there today in masks when doing so is 100% I’ll-advised and can’t be justified based on the situation in the entire country.

So they can keep the rules and the ducks will fall in line. Everything they do has an element of “consumer social experiment” and they know/study their marks.

 

[easyrowrdw]

I'm in front of you! I have 15 people behind me.

"Excuse me. I need to squeeze by you. My family is waiting for me at the front of the line."

 

[_caleb]

I know everyone is anxious to return to “normal,” but because Disney can’t know who’s been vaccinated and who hasn’t, they can’t tell what the risks to CMs/guests are.

If enough people choose not to be vaccinated, we will have to implement some sort of proof-of-vaccination measures or they will effectively hold the country hostage to masks, distancing, etc.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

"Excuse me. I need to squeeze by you. My family is waiting for me at the front of the line."

...today’s winner. Kill shot early

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I know everyone is anxious to return to “normal,” but because Disney can’t know who’s been vaccinated and who hasn’t, they can’t tell what the risks to CMs/guests are.

If enough people choose not to be vaccinated, we will have to implement some sort of proof-of-vaccination measures or they will effectively hold the country hostage to masks, distancing, etc.

Everyone wants normal...but the fact that people are now outwardly begging for it is another dark chapter in this.

It’s been 9 months...a WHOLE 9 months...and people screwed it up and made it worse after the first 2 because they didn’t want to do anything and listened to a couple of pied pipers of outright stupidity.

Sorry...these things will never go away.

 

[Chip Chipperson]

Disney imposing a vax requirement seems DOA to me. However I am not a medical or legal professional.

(I’m a former Disney one...and currently an environmental/health one...so that’s where it’s a comin’ from)

I've seen some articles indicating that it may be possible for businesses to require vaccines (and it may vary from state to state) due to the public health crisis. However, the willingness of a business to do so likely depends on how they weigh the benefits of requiring the vaccine with the potential hit to employee morale and possible legal challenges based on medical exceptions/accommodations covered under laws like the ADA. Disney can't allow a ride operator to work from home, so that could put them in a situation where someone in accounting opts to not get the vaccine and works from home while someone working on Expedition Everest is forced to either get the vaccine in order to return to work or faces losing their job. I'm sure it's a trickier issue for Disney than most companies since there's a large combination of public-facing and office workers and the company's public profile is greater than just about any other company in the country.

 

[dreday3]

I know everyone is anxious to return to “normal,” but because Disney can’t know who’s been vaccinated and who hasn’t, they can’t tell what the risks to CMs/guests are.

If enough people choose not to be vaccinated, we will have to implement some sort of proof-of-vaccination measures or they will effectively hold the country hostage to masks, distancing, etc.

Well, if enough get vaccinated of the higher risk groups and the hospitalizations and deaths go way down, I can see restrictions easing.
My hope is everyone that can, does get vaccinated. I will as soon as I'm allowed.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I've seen some articles indicating that it may be possible for businesses to require vaccines (and it may vary from state to state) due to the public health crisis. However, the willingness of a business to do so likely depends on how they weigh the benefits of requiring the vaccine with the potential hit to employee morale and possible legal challenges based on medical exceptions/accommodations covered under laws like the ADA. Disney can't allow a ride operator to work from home, so that could put them in a situation where someone in accounting opts to not get the vaccine and works from home while someone working on Expedition Everest is forced to either get the vaccine in order to return to work or faces losing their job. I'm sure it's a trickier issue for Disney than most companies since there's a large combination of public-facing and office workers and the company's public profile is greater than just about any other company in the country.

I’ve perused some similar.

Here’s what the Orcs in Capitol Hill are trying to engineer:

1. Requiring people to vax to work ON THEIR OWN.
2. Protecting employers from getting people sick KNOWINGLY due to negligence.


If you are an alligator...you love that swamp

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Well, if enough get vaccinated of the higher risk groups and the hospitalizations and deaths go way down, I can see restrictions easing.
My hope is everyone that can, does get vaccinated. I will as soon as I'm allowed.

There are no “higher risk groups” for transmission. Which has been the ignored point since day 1.

And today is a day ending in “Y”...it appears

 

[dreday3]

There are no “higher risk groups” for transmission. Which has been the ignored point since day 1.

And today is a day ending in “Y”...it appears

So you don't think the goal is to get the higher risk vaccinated first so they are protected, which in turn will reduce deaths and hospitalizations - which are the most serious issues at the moment? You seem to get upset at the mere discussion of possible scenarios of what can happen.

Apparently I'm discussing something you feel has been discussed ad-nauseum, so please, don't respond.

 

[mattpeto]

I honestly think they will keep the current requirements (masks, distancing, limited large crowd experiences) until we hit a certain point in the pandemic where we are comfortable. Not sure what that number is or when that will be (maybe Fall 2021 if we are fortunate) , maybe say less than .5% positivity rate or something to that effect. I just can't see them being able to mandate a vaccine so in leu of that, keeping things the status quo will have to suffice.

This is the reasonable and sensible approach, but Disney staying at 35% capacity isn't exactly good for business, either.

From what I gather, they cannot raise capacity with the current social distancing standards. There's just not enough room in the parks. I think they could piece-meal it together by adding shows (crowd eaters) and maybe increasing capacity marginally.

If the vaccines prove to curb transmission (still unknown), then all bets are off. Forcing all guests and employees to be vaccinated would be the best interest for their bottom line (capacity limit back to 100%) and overall for the guest experience (ditching masks, social distancing protocols, bringing back thousands of jobs, restore M&G, shows and entertainment, gathering events like parades, fireworks, holiday parties etc.)

It still doesn't mean it's the best solution for all people. Guests who want to avoid the vaccine will be welcomed back eventually, just not now. Employees who don't wish (or cannot be) be vaccinated, that's a real pickle - but those requirements aren't unprecedented either.

I still want to see the cruise lines do first...

 

[Disstevefan1]

This is the reasonable and sensible approach, but Disney staying at 35% capacity isn't exactly good for business, either.

From what I gather, they cannot raise capacity with the current social distancing standards. There's just not enough room in the parks. I think they could piece-meal it together by adding shows (crowd eaters) and maybe increasing capacity marginally.

If the vaccines prove to curb transmission (still unknown), then all bets are off. Forcing all guests and employees to be vaccinated would be the best interest for their bottom line (capacity limit back to 100%) and overall for the guest experience (ditching masks, social distancing protocols, bringing back thousands of jobs, restore M&G, shows and entertainment, gathering events like parades, fireworks, holiday parties etc.)

It still doesn't mean it's the best solution for all people. Guests who want to avoid the vaccine will be welcomed back eventually, just not now. Employees who don't wish (or cannot be) be vaccinated, that's a real pickle - but those requirements aren't unprecedented either.

I still want to see the cruise lines do first...

I agree, cruise lines should require vaccination, but will they? If they do, can you get vaccinated in time for your cruise? How to prove you got vaccinated? Will folks make fake vaccination papers so they don’t miss the cruise they paid for? There are a lot of questions.

Side note I am seeing Norwegian cruise line commercials right now on TV...

 

[Chi84]

Who’s paying/coordinating that?

And anything in Florida laws (Swiss cheese) that would require vaccination for employment? It is a “right to exploit” state.

Why would Florida laws be involved? Some people are hilarious - they went from being terrified of the virus (understandable) to being terrified of the vaccine or the possibility that people won't get it. I think there's a good chance Disney will require people working in or entering the parks to be vaccinated. It's an entertainment venue with large crowds and limited space, so it would make sense to require people working or visiting there to be vaccinated. My state's laws don't require an employer to employ someone not suited to a job, and an unvaccinated CM working in crowds would seem to be just that.

It's silly to argue who has the better crystal ball, and some take it very personally when anyone questions the rampant pessimism here. My opinion is that Disney will do whatever it takes to get things back to the way they were before the virus, which may very well be requiring proof of vaccination and dropping the restrictions. As one of their imagineers said, people don't want to go to a theme park feeling like they're in a hospital.