Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[Parker in NYC]

It's quite possible some private enterprises will never return to "old normal." I know many employers will be permanently integrating more remote workforce. Zoom conferences instead of conference rooms will be more normal.

But in terms of consumer businesses... restaurants, theaters, it is doubtful they would keep many restrictions longer than are mandated/CDC recommended. Sure, a poorly ventilated Broadway theater might continue to require masks. (which could also be included as part of the union agreement with the performers).

But by July, I think a New Yorker will be able to walk into just about any restaurant, gallery, store, museum, just as "normal."

I agree about the new normal but as for Broadway - no matter what the CDC says, Equity and the League are going to be working independently on when to return. I hold fast that it isn't happening by July 1st but that's mostly because of my partner and friends who work on Broadway.

 

[havoc315]

is the masks is going forever for years? I'm scared about that one....

As a mandate? No. As a recommendation during flu season in crowded indoor areas? Maybe.

 

[ImperfectPixie]

is the masks is going forever for years? I'm scared about that one....

No. We won't need them at some point, we just don't know exactly when yet.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

is the masks is going forever for years? I'm scared about that one....

I don’t think you have to worry about “forever”...but why would that scare you?

My wife is the head of HR for the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic Regions of a Fortune 500 company.... So yes, I've spoke to her. Yes, permanent remote work is very much the plan. For her company as well as others. They are cutting their real estate footprint.

of course it is...it saves money/passes some expenses on to the employees

 

[havoc315]

I agree about the new normal but as for Broadway - no matter what the CDC says, Equity and the League are going to be working independently on when to return. I hold fast that it isn't happening by July 1st but that's mostly because of my partner and friends who work on Broadway.

Yes, that's why I mentioned the union. We are splitting hairs on what "normal" means. The target for Broadway re-opening is September, not July 1. In theory, July 1 would be when they could start holding full auditions again, start rehearsing again.

But you are correct -- the unions will have a big say on how and when the return happens.

 

[DisneyFan32]

As a mandate? No. As a recommendation during flu season in crowded indoor areas? Maybe.

I'm okay without masks I don't need them anymore for good after this is finally over. I'm vaccinated protected from COVID-19 for probably years. Everything's going back to normal soon.

 

[Parker in NYC]

Yes, that's why I mentioned the union. We are splitting hairs on what "normal" means. The target for Broadway re-opening is September, not July 1. In theory, July 1 would be when they could start holding full auditions again, start rehearsing again.

But you are correct -- the unions will have a big say on how and when the return happens.

I really don't want to be splitting hairs here, or worse, being accused of moving any goalposts. I just want it to be clear that my definition of 100% open means going to the box office and buying a ticket for the night's performance, not wearing masks, and no social distancing. Because what percentage do we apply once those happen? 200%?

 

[Parker in NYC]

Yes, that's why I mentioned the union. We are splitting hairs on what "normal" means. The target for Broadway re-opening is September, not July 1. In theory, July 1 would be when they could start holding full auditions again, start rehearsing again.

But you are correct -- the unions will have a big say on how and when the return happens.

Also, I keep harping on July 1st since that's the date set by the city (or what they're hoping for it to be).

 

[havoc315]

I don’t think you have to worry about “forever”...but why would that scare you?



of course it is...it saves money/passes some expenses on to the employees

It can created greater efficiency for both the employee AND the employer beyond saving money.
In the NYC area, it is not unusual for people to spend 3+ hours per day in door to door commuting.
Leave the house at 7:15 am, get to your desk at 9am... leave the office between 5-7pm, get home 8-10pm. Rinse and repeat the next day.
So a 13-15 hour day, of which 8-10 hours are spent actually working at the office.
Remotely, the employee can put in a 10+ hour day.... just by flipping on their computer at 8:30 am and working until 6:30pm. They still get to sleep in longer than they used to, they can "get home" earlier than they used to, all while actually giving their employer more time.

It also cuts down on sick time (as people can continue to work from home when a little under the weather). Cuts down on personal time off (as it becomes easier for the worker to cut out for an hour to take their kid to the dentist as opposed to having to take off an entire day for the errand). etc.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

It can created greater efficiency for both the employee AND the employer beyond saving money.
In the NYC area, it is not unusual for people to spend 3+ hours per day in door to door commuting.
Leave the house at 7:15 am, get to your desk at 9am... leave the office between 5-7pm, get home 8-10pm. Rinse and repeat the next day.
So a 13-15 hour day, of which 8-10 hours are spent actually working at the office.
Remotely, the employee can put in a 10+ hour day.... just by flipping on their computer at 8:30 am and working until 6:30pm. They still get to sleep in longer than they used to, they can "get home" earlier than they used to, all while actually giving their employer more time.

It also cuts down on sick time (as people can continue to work from home when a little under the weather). Cuts down on personal time off (as it becomes easier for the worker to cut out for an hour to take their kid to the dentist as opposed to having to take off an entire day for the errand). etc.

Commute time does not belong to the employer.

 

[havoc315]

I really don't want to be splitting hairs here, or worse, being accused of moving any goalposts. I just want it to be clear that my definition of 100% open means going to the box office and buying a ticket for the night's performance, not wearing masks, and no social distancing. Because what percentage do we apply once those happen? 200%?

But that's like saying, "100% normal means Disney having night time extra magic hours" -- And those are never returning.

Normal to me means that theaters CAN re-open and start selling tickets, etc. But of course, it's going to take TIME for them to actually rehearse, re-hire, etc. Those things don't happen overnight. Some shows will never re-open.

 

[danlb_2000]

They know pretty much exactly how it entered the US and spread from those who brought it here with them. There was a fantastic animated timeline of events on the NY Times website with names (where they were available) and dates.

There is a good one here:

United States Animated Heatmap - Knowi

This Animated Heatmap of COVID-19 cases shows an animated map display of County Level Tests taken. Date ranges and Sates can be filtered.

www.knowi.com

Seems pretty likely that there was no single patient zero in the US, you can see outbreaks being discovered simultaneously in multiple cities.

 

[Tom P.]

Also, @Tom P., for the love of all things Dolly Parton -- don't suggest that there's been any... oh, I shudder to even say it, "goalpost moving." I've been crystal clear on the board here as to my definitions of NYC's return to full operation. I'll send a zoom invite for July 1st to discuss.

I think it would be an interesting experience to do a Zoom meeting that was open to anyone here on the forums who wanted to chat live. It would be interesting to see how that kind of discussion actually compares to what goes on in these threads.

 

[havoc315]

Commute time does not belong to the employer.

For an exempt position (which is a huge portion of tele-commuters), all of your time belongs to your employer -- or as much time as it takes to get your job done. Whether that be 40 hours per week, or 80 hours per week. I've generally been spared, but my wife typically will still have to work 3-5 hours per day while on her vacation time at Disney World. ("I know you're on vacation, but could you get this done?" being a common phone call/email).
So if you can effectively take that commuting time, give part of it back to the employee as their personal time, and part of it is now being used for greater work efficiency, it's a huge win-win.

 

[havoc315]

There is a good one here:

United States Animated Heatmap - Knowi

This Animated Heatmap of COVID-19 cases shows an animated map display of County Level Tests taken. Date ranges and Sates can be filtered.

www.knowi.com

Seems pretty likely that there was no single patient zero in the US, you can see outbreaks being discovered simultaneously in multiple cities.

1 -- Inability to ever find patient zero doesn't mean there wasn't one. Just means it was already far spread before we started tracking
2 -- But you are right, there was likely not a single patient zero. It was crossing into our border, largely from Europe, unchecked for weeks.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

But that's like saying, "100% normal means Disney having night time extra magic hours" -- And those are never returning.

No, it's not like saying that.

Disney will be 100% normal when the following happen:

• No more mandatory masks, indoors or outdoors
• No temperature check
• Partitions and Plexiglas removed from rides, queues, cash registers, and transportation
• Valet parking returns
• All restaurants open (unless some have closed permanently)
• All rides and shows open (unless some have closed permanently)
• Daily housekeeping

Things that might be permanently different that don't count:

• Changes in park hours.
• Park Pass, if it stays.
• FastPass 3.0, if it changes.
• Magical Express going away.
• New bag check procedures.
• Expanded mobile ordering.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I've generally been spared, but my wife typically will still have to work 3-5 hours per day while on her vacation time at Disney World. ("I know you're on vacation, but could you get this done?" being a common phone call/email).

You said your wife is literally the *head* of HR for her company? What you're describing is not normal exempt-status employee behavior. That's Senior Executive stuff.

 

[GoofGoof]

You'll never get them all. Would a firm target help for the real fence sitters? I believe it would. I also believe it would be worth just coming out and saying, get vaccinated and YOU are no longer restricted in anyway. Now, I know there is a fear that would lead to chaos and anarchy. I just don't see it that way. I think, like anything there is a cost benefit analysis that needs to be done. And IMO the benefit would outweigh the costs. Those anarchist types, nothing is changing their minds. But for the others. I think it would be just the push we need.

There is no practical way to do that without vaccine passports and even that isn’t 100% secure. If I walk into Target or WDW and you are standing there with no mask am I supposed to just take your word you are vaccinated? How many unvaccinated people will just ditch the mask? Probably most. I saw that the CDC asked all states to remove pictures of their vaccine card from websites because there are online forums where people are sharing the steps to make a fake vaccine passport including copies of the template, the type of cardboard to buy and how to assemble it to look real. Crazy stuff that people will spend the time to figure that out instead of just getting a vaccine.

You can’t fake the percent of people vaccinated.

 

[DisneyFan32]

I can't wait until I don't wear masks or social distancing for good anymore soon guys this year!

 

[ImperfectPixie]

There is no practical way to do that without vaccine passports and even that isn’t 100% secure. If I walk into Target or WDW and you are standing there with no mask am I supposed to just take your word you are vaccinated? How many unvaccinated people will just ditch the mask? Probably most. I saw that the CDC asked all states to remove pictures of their vaccine card from websites because there are online forums where people are sharing the steps to make a fake vaccine passport including copies of the template, the type of cardboard to buy and how to assemble it to look real. Crazy stuff that people will spend the time to figure that out instead of just getting a vaccine.

You can’t fake the percent of people vaccinated.

The people sharing all that information should be heavily fined. They are knowingly and purposefully falsifying medical records.