Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[Figgy1]

This is kind of frustrating, honestly. So the "reward" for those getting the vaccine, aside from the safety risks, is I can eat outside with multiple people outside while distancing?? Everything else is the exact same as someone who chooses to not be protected.

I understand the need to be cautious, but this is moving painfully slow for a country that now has at least 50% vaccinated. Everyone needs to hop on board or there's no real benefit to society.

At this point, I'd rather just have passports and be allowed to do things normally again.

Part of the problem is people are still having issues getting their first shots in some areas. We need more appointments even more so for nights and weekends for people who can't take off from work

 

[DavidNoble]

Did you wear a mask prior to March 2020?

If not, why not?

Because they're uncomfortable and you didn't feel like it.

They're still uncomfortable and I still don't feel like it. I *do*, because I respect people who are fearful of COVID and I respect the authority of business owners to set the policies for their businesses,, but that doesn't mean I have to like it.

1) Fearful of COVID? I don't think people are fearful of COVID. I think they are fearful of what can happen if you get COVID.

2) I don't think anyone likes wearing masks.

 

[GoofGoof]

Tooooootally just a guess, but I would imagine WDW guests are probably less likely than the general population to be vaccinated because people willing to go to WDW tend to be the people who aren't afraid of COVID.

But the covid denier crowd is also unwilling to wear masks and follow rules and Disney has been pretty strict with enforcement and vaccinations are more popular amongst the more affluent Disney demographic. I’d say the percentages of adults is probably close to the national average but WDW has a higher percentage of kids who aren’t eligible so overall probably less than average on vaccinations.

 

[DavidNoble]

This is kind of frustrating, honestly. So the "reward" for those getting the vaccine, aside from the safety risks, is I can eat outside with multiple people outside while distancing?? Everything else is the exact same as someone who chooses to not be protected.

I understand the need to be cautious, but this is moving painfully slow for a country that now has at least 50% vaccinated. Everyone needs to hop on board or there's no real benefit to society.

At this point, I'd rather just have passports and be allowed to do things normally again.

Agreed. Let's just be done with it. Until we get 70-80% vaccinated (fully vaccinated), you have a vaccine passport. Everything re-opens, full capacity.

 

[hopemax]

Continuing restrictions after vaccines are widely available will backfire

As if not continuing them* won't. Just with different collateral damage. Cases will rise, even if not exponential, which means poor outcomes will rise, even if they aren't the severe outcomes. It's all just more, "I'm okay with your consequences, as long as I have none."

*For this record, I am only advocating continued restrictions (and not necessarily all of them) through whatever the 2021 winter "cold / flu / COVID season" might be like. This time in 2022, I expect nothing if winter went well. It's definitely NOT a lifetime thing.

 

[GoofGoof]

Agreed. Let's just be done with it. Until we get 70-80% vaccinated (fully vaccinated), you have a vaccine passport. Everything re-opens, full capacity.

Do we just say no kids under 16 at WDW then?

 

[Roy G. Dis]

Do we just say no kids under 16 at WDW then?

Nah, let unvaccinated kids in. The adults are the real problem. Source: this thread.

 

[Parker in NYC]

I was just introducing some humor and levity to the situation. Cmon guys

Mega ditto Rush!

 

[DavidNoble]

Do we just say no kids under 16 at WDW then?

Some on this forum would love that

No. I think minors should be exempt.

 

[GimpYancIent]

Part of the problem is people are still having issues getting their first shots in some areas. We need more appointments even more so for nights and weekends for people who can't take off from work

How about vaccination upon request, no waiting, no appointment at multiple locations. There is supposed to be an abundance of vaccine now in the U.S., so lets stop with the multiple steps of scheduling and appointments to get vaccinated. Make it more convenient not more complex!

 

[havoc315]

Disney won’t change anything based on the latest CDC guidelines

I’m afraid the continual requirement use of masks by fully vaccinated people are going to hinder those on the fence or who didn’t really want to get a shot from maybe ever getting one because of that which is going to slow down the return to normal rather than speed it up

I just can't imagine that being true at all. First off, mask mandates have already been lifting in the states with the most vaccine hesitancy. There is no mask mandate through most of Florida, included.
The places that have had their mask mandates lifted are not achieving higher vaccination rates.
Making masks voluntary instead of mandatory does not suddenly motivate people to get vaccinated.

Most critically -- It is impossible to have different requirements for vaccinated vs un-vaccinated people. The CDC really can only make recommendations and most of their recommendations are always going to be strictly voluntary. Whether you have now feel you can unmask at your backyward BBQ -- totally voluntary.

For those areas that do "mandate" masks -- whether grocery stores, some localities, Disney World -- It's physically impossible to have different requirements for vaccinated vs un-vaccinated people. What's the CDC going to recommend and have WDW follow? Tell people they can take off their masks if their vaccinated, and have cast members walking around doing random spot checks of people's vaccination cards?

But this should be the incentive to get vaccinated -- When everyone (or almost everyone) gets vaccinated, we can lift all the mitigation measures!
Do you want to be the bozo holding up the lifting of all mitigation measures?!?!?

 

[danlb_2000]

Disney won’t change anything based on the latest CDC guidelines

I’m afraid the continual requirement use of masks by fully vaccinated people are going to hinder those on the fence or who didn’t really want to get a shot from maybe ever getting one because of that which is going to slow down the return to normal rather than speed it up

As I’ve said before...something is going to have to give at some point somewhere because the majority that are vaccinated aren’t going to continue this way for long

Yes, something may have to give at some point, but we aren't at that point yet.

 

[GhostHost1000]

I just can't imagine that being true at all. First off, mask mandates have already been lifting in the states with the most vaccine hesitancy. There is no mask mandate through most of Florida, included.
The places that have had their mask mandates lifted are not achieving higher vaccination rates.
Making masks voluntary instead of mandatory does not suddenly motivate people to get vaccinated.

Most critically -- It is impossible to have different requirements for vaccinated vs un-vaccinated people. The CDC really can only make recommendations and most of their recommendations are always going to be strictly voluntary. Whether you have now feel you can unmask at your backyward BBQ -- totally voluntary.

For those areas that do "mandate" masks -- whether grocery stores, some localities, Disney World -- It's physically impossible to have different requirements for vaccinated vs un-vaccinated people. What's the CDC going to recommend and have WDW follow? Tell people they can't take off their masks if their vaccinated, and have cast members walking around doing random spot checks of people's vaccination cards?

But this should be the incentive to get vaccinated -- When everyone (or almost everyone) gets vaccinated, we can lift all the mitigation measures!
Do you want to be the bozo holding up the lifting of all mitigation measures?!?!?

It’s not impossible to have different requirements for vaccinated vs non-vaccinated people, it would just be impossible to monitor it. That is the problem I have. Let people make their own decisions on what to or not to do now that vaccines are widely available to all. Those of us who are fully vaccinated shouldn’t have to wait longer on a return to normal because of those who will never get a shot and the virus always being around somewhere.

That is why I say something has to give at some point. Vaccinated folks are only going to put up with the same restrictions as before their shot for so long

 

[Chi84]

Do we just say no kids under 16 at WDW then?

No they would be exempt like the kids under 2 are exempt from masks.

 

[Figgy1]

It’s not impossible to have different requirements for vaccinated vs non-vaccinated people, it would just be impossible to monitor it. That is the problem I have. Let people make their own decisions on what to or not to do now that vaccines are widely available to all. Those of us who are fully vaccinated shouldn’t have to wait longer on a return to normal because of those who will never get a shot and the virus always being around somewhere

I wish they were widely available everywhere

 

[disneygeek90]

Do we just say no kids under 16 at WDW then?

100% vaxxed adults + unvaccinated kids should be pretty low risk for everyone. If that's not good enough, require they get tested.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Agreed. Let's just be done with it. Until we get 70-80% vaccinated (fully vaccinated), you have a vaccine passport. Everything re-opens, full capacity.

This plus no masks.

 

[Figgy1]

How about vaccination upon request, no waiting, no appointment at multiple locations. There is supposed to be an abundance of vaccine now in the U.S., so lets stop with the multiple steps of scheduling and appointments to get vaccinated. Make it more convenient not more complex!

In some areas that would turn into a giant cluster with people waiting on line. They'd have to count heads and cut people off depending on the day and time. Maybe week days during working hours wouldn't be bad but nights and weekends cluster of the first order

 

[GhostHost1000]

This plus no masks.

For Disney World I would be ok with this but no requirement for 16 and under

 

[GoofGoof]

For those areas that do "mandate" masks -- whether grocery stores, some localities, Disney World -- It's physically impossible to have different requirements for vaccinated vs un-vaccinated people. What's the CDC going to recommend and have WDW follow? Tell people they can't take off their masks if their vaccinated, and have cast members walking around doing random spot checks of people's vaccination cards?

I actually think that could work at WDW. You could submit proof of vaccination ahead of time when you make your park reservation and if you are verified vaccinated then you are flagged with your park ticket. At the gate you show your vaccination status (linked to the ticket or the paper copy) and you get a wrist band like a 21+ person in an 18 to get in 21 to drink club. Anyone remember the wrist bands from the PI days? Then if you have a wrist band no need to wear a mask or distance. If a CM sees you don’t have a wrist band on and you don’t have a mask on they approach you and tell you to mask up. It’s a lot of enforcement but it’s doable. It avoids Disney having to exclude the 2/3 of adults who aren’t vaccinated yet.