Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[JAKECOTCenter]

Disney gives masks the dreaded vote of confidence. Sent to my sister the travel agent today:

As COVID-19 vaccines begin to roll out around the world, we’re optimistically looking forward to a time in the future when we can once again share smiles with each other in the Disney Parks and Resorts.

At this time, the CDC recommends continuing to practice healthy behaviors while experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions. With that in mind, we will continue to require our Cast Members and Guests ages 2 and up to wear face coverings at all times except when actively eating or drinking while stationary and maintaining appropriate physical distancing. We will also continue existing health and safety measures like temperature checks, reduced capacity, physical distancing and increased frequency in cleaning.

To send this out unprovoked tells me this is step one in a long PR rollout to eventually get to "optional but encouraged" mask wearing.

Disney beginning to plant the seeds for post-Covid.....

 

[oceanbreeze77]

Not necessarily bad news as it was originally hoped for that vaccines would have 50% efficacy, and we are still studying this, but interesting development on the vaccine front.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

To send this out unprovoked tells me this is step one in a long PR rollout to eventually get to "optional but encouraged" mask wearing.

That’s one guess.

My guess is they want to remind people who booked several months ago that masks are still required and don’t expect that anything has changed yet.

 

[oceanbreeze77]

Also remember that other states are starting drop the mask mandate. Could be a reminder that WDW masks are still very much a thing.

 

[dreday3]

Not necessarily bad news as it was originally hoped for that vaccines would have 50% efficacy, and we are still studying this, but interesting development on the vaccine front.

I haven't heard of Novavax - where is it being used? Or is it still in trials?

Luckily (i hope!) I've been given Moderna, which is protects against both!

 

[oceanbreeze77]

I haven't heard of Novavax - where is it being used? Or is it still in trials?

Luckily (i hope!) I've been given Moderna, which is protects against both!

still in trials.

 

[GoofGoof]

Disney gives masks the dreaded vote of confidence. Sent to my sister the travel agent today:

As COVID-19 vaccines begin to roll out around the world, we’re optimistically looking forward to a time in the future when we can once again share smiles with each other in the Disney Parks and Resorts.

At this time, the CDC recommends continuing to practice healthy behaviors while experts learn more about the protection that COVID-19 vaccines provide under real-life conditions. With that in mind, we will continue to require our Cast Members and Guests ages 2 and up to wear face coverings at all times except when actively eating or drinking while stationary and maintaining appropriate physical distancing. We will also continue existing health and safety measures like temperature checks, reduced capacity, physical distancing and increased frequency in cleaning.

To send this out unprovoked tells me this is step one in a long PR rollout to eventually get to "optional but encouraged" mask wearing.

We will get there eventually. This seems to me like maybe they Have been getting questions on when masks won’t be allowed and they wanted to clarify. Some people also made the leap to the conclusion that if the water park was opening and not requiring masks in lines or common space by the pools that the parks would start allowing that in outdoor spaces. This slams the door shut on that possibility.

 

[GoofGoof]

Not necessarily bad news as it was originally hoped for that vaccines would have 50% efficacy, and we are still studying this, but interesting development on the vaccine front.

Of the people infected in S Africa, none in the vaccine group had a serious infection. The vaccine may not be as effective in stopping any infection but seems to be able to stop severe infection. That’s definitely good news.

 

[oceanbreeze77]

Of the people infected in S Africa, none in the vaccine group had a serious infection. The vaccine may not be as effective in stopping any infection but seems to be able to stop severe infection. That’s definitely good news.

and thats without any added boosters like the ones moderna and Pfizer are currently testing.

 

[Parker in NYC]

That’s one guess.

My guess is they want to remind people who booked several months ago that masks are still required and don’t expect that anything has changed yet.

Yeah, I don't read anything into this aside from that. A lot of misinformed people assume that since vaccines are now a thing, they've been instantly absolved from wearing masks. Especially since we'll still be required to wear them at WDW well beyond the day people assume they will no longer be required. Just cuz you got the vaccine don't mean Disney won't make you continue to wear masks until they think it prudent (on their own terms) to lift the requirement.

 

[sullyinMT]

Not necessarily bad news as it was originally hoped for that vaccines would have 50% efficacy, and we are still studying this, but interesting development on the vaccine front.

News like this makes me happy the mRNA vaccines worked as well as they did initially. They seem to be easy to “update” for when variants get out of meaningful effectiveness.

Also, the foresight the current administration had to boost our purchase agreements with Moderna and Pfizer, instead of just hoping AstraZeneca pans out in US trials even though we had agreements for more than our population when all contracts are considered is meaningful for at least our nation’s prospect of herd immunity (and boosts our ability to donate in good will).

 

[Indy_UK]

Uh oh.. reading that the very infectious variant that of COVID which we’ve had here in the UK has been confirmed in Orlando.

 

[oceanbreeze77]

News like this makes me happy the mRNA vaccines worked as well as they did initially. They seem to be easy to “update” for when variants get out of meaningful effectiveness.

Also, the foresight the current administration had to boost our purchase agreements with Moderna and Pfizer, instead of just hoping AstraZeneca pans out in US trials even though we had agreements for mare than our population when all contracts are considered is meaningful for at least our nation’s prospect of herd immunity (and boosts our ability to donate in good will).

yeah IDK what is going on with AstraZeneca. Its messy.

 

[sullyinMT]

Especia

Yeah, I don't read anything into this aside from that. A lot of misinformed people assume that since vaccines are now a thing, they've been instantly absolved from wearing masks. Especially since we'll still be required to wear them at WDW well beyond the day people assume they will no longer be required. Just cuz you got the vaccine don't mean Disney won't make you continue to wear masks until they think it prudent (on their own terms) to lift the requirement.

Especially since few CM have been vaccinated. They’ll always move to protect their CM first. And in recent months they’ve actually shown that they’re willing to do that more than maybe historic precedent would suggest with aggressive anti-mask guests being dealt with swiftly (thank god)

 

[sullyinMT]

yeah IDK what is going on with AstraZeneca. Its messy.

At best. It may be great, but they didn’t partner with the best research centers internationally. It’s going to take a while to sort out, and we don’t have time for that.

 

[Parker in NYC]

Especia

Especially since few CM have been vaccinated. They’ll always move to protect their CM first. And in recent months they’ve actually shown that they’re willing to do that more than maybe historic precedent would suggest with aggressive anti-mask guests being dealt with swiftly (thank god)

God willing.

 

[DCBaker]

“Face Coverings

Face coverings are required for all Guests (ages 2 and up) and Cast Members, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine. Please bring your own face coverings and wear them at all times, except when dining or swimming. You may remove your face covering while actively eating or drinking, but you must be stationary and maintain appropriate physical distancing”

https://disneyworld.disney.go.com/experience-updates/#drawer-card-faceCoverings

 

[JoeCamel]

Uh oh.. reading that the very infectious variant that of COVID which we’ve had here in the UK has been confirmed in Orlando.

Yep, been here a few weeks and spread across the country, the one that is causing the stir is the SA variant just found in South Carolina. More infectious so eventually it will be in Orlando as well

 

[Parker in NYC]

Yep, been here a few weeks and spread across the country, the one that is causing the stir is the SA variant just found in South Carolina. More infectious so eventually it will be in Orlando as well

But nothing to worry about.

 

[sullyinMT]

God willing.

I’ve seen it first hand in my two trips, and there were the really outrageous and infuriating stories of the “pastor” in HS and that dad at Epcot’s gates. Hopefully they’re still as aggressive and swift to the truly belligerent. DS was a bit of a crapshoot in my experience and in other reports.