Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[ABQ]

I like pizza

Pizza places near me are doing really well. We even have a bit of a run down Wendy’s that rarely ever looked crowded before Covid that now has a drive thru line around the building every night. I definitely think fast food and pizza joints are the biggest beneficiary of people not eating out, plus grocery stores since people are cooking more at home. The biggest losers were high end restaurants and/or places that relied heavily on alcohol sales. It’s impossible to make up huge sales of wine/beer/liquor with takeout. Many restaurants will close and even some of the ones that don’t aren’t doing great, they are just getting by. Getting creative and making money any way they can could be the difference between staying in business and going under. Some did it successfully, some tried and failed and some never tried. I don’t blame the owners if they tried and failed or even if they didn’t try, I am just giving the successful ones credit for figuring it out. I’ve seen some creative stuff that’s pretty impressive.

Because we're all about studies and stats around here, here's one from Fortune magazine.

I'll highlight a few parts for the TLDR coverage:

It should come as no surprise then that many restaurants were forced to shutter in 2020, but the numbers are still shocking. More than 110,000 eating and drinking establishments in the United States closed for business—temporarily or permanently—last year, with nearly 2.5 million jobs erased from pre-pandemic levels, according to the National Restaurant Association. And restaurant and foodservice industry sales fell by $240 billion in 2020 from an expected level of $899 billion.

Of restaurants that closed permanently in 2020, the majority were established businesses and fixtures in their communities; these eateries had been in business, on average, for 16 years, and 16% had been open for at least 30 years. Within this subgroup, these restaurants employed an average of 32 people; and 17% employed at least 50 people before they closed.
​

I'm sure the number would have been higher than 110k, that quite a few others did make it through, but it's not like every one of them had that ability.

 

[GhostHost1000]

I find it puzzling that everyone is rushing to re-open indoor dining, just as we enter Spring and it becomes more comfortable to dine outdoors.

I live in a state where indoor dining has been happening for months 50% capacity and Florida has been wide open and our cases aren’t worse than those who have been locked down and closed

 

[DisneyDebRob]

Because we're all about studies and stats around here, here's one from Fortune magazine.

I'll highlight a few parts for the TLDR coverage:

It should come as no surprise then that many restaurants were forced to shutter in 2020, but the numbers are still shocking. More than 110,000 eating and drinking establishments in the United States closed for business—temporarily or permanently—last year, with nearly 2.5 million jobs erased from pre-pandemic levels, according to the National Restaurant Association. And restaurant and foodservice industry sales fell by $240 billion in 2020 from an expected level of $899 billion.

Of restaurants that closed permanently in 2020, the majority were established businesses and fixtures in their communities; these eateries had been in business, on average, for 16 years, and 16% had been open for at least 30 years. Within this subgroup, these restaurants employed an average of 32 people; and 17% employed at least 50 people before they closed.
​

I'm sure the number would have been higher than 110k, that quite a few others did make it through, but it's not like every one of them had that ability.

As horrible as that all is, and it’s brutal, we do know that in time these places will be replaced with new restaurants and stores.. and many new jobs. It’s what’s been happening through the history of our country through the tough times. Wars.. recession..pandemic’s...we lose favorite places, only to make new ones. We just hope that people that have lost jobs or businesses, get back on their feet quickly with a new start.

 

[correcaminos]

I didn't say adapting didn't matter. I said some couldn't. And I think "adapt or die" is kind of like blaming the restaurant business for all the losses they suffered the past year.

And I think that's very wrong.

And trust me, I know quite a few people where the $5 pizza from Little Caesar's was the big splurge they could afford for the week.
I think (most) everyone posting on a Disney board, myself included, should really realize how lucky they truly are.

I don't appreciate the implications on the last comment there. Sorry but acting like you know life situations and thinking we haven't had our own issues... well that's not okay. I literally had zero income for me for months. My spouse was made to take a forced reduction. We adapted other things in life so we could support the businesses in need. It was even worth dipping into savings if we had too. We were lucky my pay came back and the reductions weren't more severe.

Fact is some places chose not to adapt. They failed and sadly it was their own fault. As I said some tried and failed an yet some chose not to. So please stop with this idea we don't get it. Many of us do. Where I work is a tiny company that was forced shut. Some of us understand more than you realize. I am sorry somehow you are taking this personally but digging in saying we need to all be grateful? Sorry I don't do guilting from others well. I know what we have and used it to help. Both in my time when not working doing the trial as well as donating where we could.

 

[fgmnt]

I live in a state where indoor dining has been happening for months 50% capacity and Florida has been wide open and our cases aren’t worse than those who have been locked down and closed

I think one thing we could see in a hopeful pandemic retrospective, is that in some cases, what would seem like reckless behavior in southern states could be tempered by the fact that the virus does not transmit in the consistently humid and hot weather experienced 10 months a year south of Charleston.

 

[havoc315]

I live in a state where indoor dining has been happening for months 50% capacity and Florida has been wide open and our cases aren’t worse than those who have been locked down and closed

There are no states that are “locked down” or “closed.” except for a few counties in California and New York City, every state has been at 50% dining or more for months. NY has been at 50%+ for dining for more than 6 months. (New York is now 75% outside of NYC). There has been this myth about states still being “locked down.” No state has been locked down for months, though many should be.

In “wide open” states, huge numbers of businesses continue to limit capacity and restrict. (See Disney). And in less-open states, you have plenty of non-compliance.

But when comparing states of similar density, similar populations, the more restricted states constantly do better than the less restricted states. What throws off the numbers, states in the Northeast suffered tremendously in the first month, before anybody had any restrictions. (Massive uncontrolled spread in February 2020, when the Federal Government was saying there were only 15 cases, but there were actually thousands).

But for example, compare California and Texas: “open” Texas has 200 more deaths per million people than “closed” California.

“Closed” small rural Vermont has 357 deaths per million. “Open” Wyoming has 1201 deaths per million. North Dakota 1922 deaths per million.

“Closed” Minnesota with 1220 deaths per million. “Open” South Carolina with 1764 deaths per million.

Since some states started putting in restrictions and feeling the effects.. so since May 2020, it’s true across the board— states with fewer restrictions have consistently done worse than areas with more restrictions.

 

[dreday3]

I don't appreciate the implications on the last comment there. Sorry but acting like you know life situations and thinking we haven't had our own issues... well that's not okay. I literally had zero income for me for months. My spouse was made to take a forced reduction. We adapted other things in life so we could support the businesses in need. It was even worth dipping into savings if we had too. We were lucky my pay came back and the reductions weren't more severe.

Fact is some places chose not to adapt. They failed and sadly it was their own fault. As I said some tried and failed an yet some chose not to. So please stop with this idea we don't get it. Many of us do. Where I work is a tiny company that was forced shut. Some of us understand more than you realize. I am sorry somehow you are taking this personally but digging in saying we need to all be grateful? Sorry I don't do guilting from others well. I know what we have and used it to help. Both in my time when not working doing the trial as well as donating where we could.

You are the one talking about how you chose to support local businesses, as if those who didn't were just "choosing" not to. Couldn't possibly be they just couldn't afford to keep ordering out from restaurants.

I had a paycut and my guy lost his job. Still hasn't been brought back.
I still know I'm luckier than others who lost a lot more. Others who had no savings to dip into.

Sorry you were offended by me saying that.

 

[correcaminos]

You are the one talking about how you chose to support local businesses, as if those who didn't were just "choosing" not to.

I had a paycut and my guy lost his job. Still hasn't been brought back.
I still know I'm luckier than others who lost a lot more. Others who had no savings to dip into.

Sorry you were offended by me saying that.

My issue is that if we disagree you seem to think we aren't understanding and such. That's really what's not fair.

You read into what I said about choosing to support completely wrong as well. That's not what I was getting at. You seem to be assuming more of posters than you should. Again we can disagree and actually be understanding of situations. Your views aren't any more right or wrong than other comments. You seemed to get offended by those of us who felt differently. Just agree to disagree and move on. Trying to act like you understand and other's don't is uncool.

 

[dreday3]

My issue is that if we disagree you seem to think we aren't understanding and such. That's really what's not fair.

You read into what I said about choosing to support completely wrong as well. That's not what I was getting at. You seem to be assuming more of posters than you should. Again we can disagree and actually be understanding of situations. Your views aren't any more right or wrong than other comments. You seemed to get offended by those of us who felt differently. Just agree to disagree and move on. Trying to act like you understand and other's don't is uncool.

I'm not offended at all. And I still see nothing wrong by saying most of us are pretty lucky.

I think there is room to be empathetic to those who have been impacted by Covid from illness and those who have been impacted by Covid due to financial reasons. (some) Others don't.

I think some of the comments about restaurant closings have been pretty callous.

I'm fine to move on.

 

[correcaminos]

I'm not offended at all. And I still see nothing wrong by saying most of us are pretty lucky.

I think there is room to be empathetic to those who have been impacted by Covid from illness and those who have been impacted by Covid due to financial reasons. (some) Others don't.

I think some of the comments about restaurant closings have been pretty callous.

I'm fine to move on.

One of my friends, single parent of 3, was affected by an owner who really didn't try because they were going to retire anyway. Without notice friend scrambled to find work. Story hit of a place where all workers quit due to how management treated them due to covid. Could be some callous comments might be founded. There is a ton of gray.

Health certainly wasn't the only way some were affected. That's for sure. My empathy is for many who have struggled no matter the reason.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

My issue is that if we disagree you seem to think we aren't understanding and such. That's really what's not fair.

You read into what I said about choosing to support completely wrong as well. That's not what I was getting at. You seem to be assuming more of posters than you should. Again we can disagree and actually be understanding of situations. Your views aren't any more right or wrong than other comments. You seemed to get offended by those of us who felt differently. Just agree to disagree and move on. Trying to act like you understand and other's don't is uncool.

Agreed. I was told I had a simplistic view on life for prioritizing health over jobs.

 

[dreday3]

One of my friends, single parent of 3, was affected by an owner who really didn't try because they were going to retire anyway. Without notice friend scrambled to find work. Story hit of a place where all workers quit due to how management treated them due to covid. Could be some callous comments might be founded. There is a ton of gray.

Health certainly wasn't the only way some were affected. That's for sure. My empathy is for many who have struggled no matter the reason.

I'm sure that happened, but that wasn't the context of the conversation I was having. At least I didn't think so. Sometimes messages get a bit muddled on message boards.

Anyways, no matter. Let's be done.

 

[dreday3]

Agreed. I was told I had a simplistic view on life for prioritizing health over jobs.

I think you have a very one sided view of things and it's difficult to have a conversation with you. You jumped down my throat on another thread about something you were completely wrong about (unemployment, remember?)and you even realized it. You talk first, listen later.

I have no patience for anti mask, covid deniers and I have no patience with cavalier, "too bad, so sad" you need to stay closed attitudes towards people's businesses. You said restaurants should "adapt or die" or "maybe they need to learn a new trade that pays the bills" and I don't think you have much compassion towards those business owners. It's not the first time I've read these sentiments from you.

So yes, I said that to you.

 

[Chi84]

Caring about people’s lives and jobs are not mutually exclusive concepts. Suggesting that they are does seem a bit simplistic. People need to work to survive, and some people are by nature more adaptable - they seem to be less concerned than others about their ability to change jobs or find a new career.

Arguments get heated and people start overstating their positions to make a point. I doubt there is anyone here who doesn’t care about COVID’s impact on others, even though they may experience it differently.

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Caring about people’s lives and jobs are not mutually exclusive concepts.

Of course they aren’t. Restaurants can close and people can be on unemployment for a bit. People can’t get new family members. Sorry that’s “too simple” for some to grasp.

 

[Chi84]

Of course they aren’t. Restaurants can close and people can be on unemployment for a bit. People can’t get new family members. Sorry that’s “too simple” for some to grasp.

Well alrighty then . . .

 

[TrainsOfDisney]

Well alrighty then . . .

I never said i don’t care about people’s jobs. I care way more about people’s lives though and always will. You can get a new job.

 

[Chi84]

I never said i don’t care about people’s jobs. I care way more about people’s lives though and always will. You can get a new job.

I don’t think anyone is taking the position that people’s lives are not the most important concern. But COVID has seriously impacted many people in countless ways, and it’s not right to trivialize or dismiss as unimportant any impact short of death.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

I know some here and other places were talking about this back in November when it got approved. Now it’s stopped because of the variants and the possible usefulness against them.

US government stops distribution of Eli Lilly Covid-19 antibody treatment for Covid-19

The move comes after the detection of different Covid variants

medicircle.in

 

[correcaminos]

I know some here and other places were talking about this back in November when it got approved. Now it’s stopped because of the variants and the possible usefulness against them.

US government stops distribution of Eli Lilly Covid-19 antibody treatment for Covid-19

The move comes after the detection of different Covid variants

medicircle.in

To clarify, not all are stopped, just one that wasn't as effective by itself. It actually can be ordered, but not by itself. Kinda misleading title