Coronavirus and Walt Disney World general discussion

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I’m a kid because I don’t have a thousand posts on an online forum? I’m starting to post now because I work for Disney and I’m interested in staying updated on the recent layoffs.

Ideally I think we should have allocated funds to specifically protecting high-risk individuals and their family members/caretakers instead of freaking out every time there is a case of a 20 year old college student getting COVID and asking everyone to stay home regardless of their circumstances. That might have been fine back in March, when we knew nothing about COVID, but I’m not really sure why we’re still trying to cling to it six months later.

There are people who still genuinely believe the death rate is something like 3% when it’s been established by multiple sources that, for most age groups, it’s a small fraction of that. I definitely would not be constantly terrifying everyone into thinking they’re going to die if they so much as leave their house, like the media is doing on a 24/7 cycle.

Deaths absolutely could have been prevented here - but not by treating everyone exactly the same and asking them to place their lives on hold until the virus is eradicated. Whatever your moral judgements are on that, you have to admit that compliance on the level needed was just never going to happen in the US.

So your take is it’s overblown and not as risky as feared.
Ok...that’s not what I think is the right take...but a common one.

A couple things:

1. The “young” have proven themselves to be completely - predicably immature. The underground “covid party” scene hasn’t been covered much but it’s out there and really stupid.
You don’t get your “freedom” if you can’t handle it.

2. As far as travel - strictly business - goes...particularly Disney...
You’re not looking at the solution correctly. Getting the Health story out of the public mind is the ONLY way to get back to money. That is it. That’s their clientele. Most Disney customers are not sycophants...they aren’t gonna take chances or pay for bad product.
Crushing it has to happen. Disney won’t budge till that’s the case.

Saying “we’re open...it’s not that bad” is not a legitimate sales strategy.

And to clarify: you’re a kid because it says you’re 26. Youth is good. But that’s a kid. We’ve all been there...and we all change our views over time as we learn. Not an insult.

 

[Miss Bella]

We’ve had a number of “boomerangs” that left in a huff in recent months that show up under different names. All hoaxers and faux “imagineering insiders”

But that doesn’t matter to me as much as a relevant thought/take. I play as long as we can get that.

Even if your right it’s inpossible to prove and like you said it doesn’t really matter.

 

[GoofGoof]

Ideally I think we should have allocated funds to specifically protecting high-risk individuals and their family members/caretakers instead of freaking out every time there is a case of a 20 year old college student getting COVID and asking everyone to stay home regardless of their circumstances. That might have been fine back in March, when we knew nothing about COVID, but I’m not really sure why we’re still trying to cling to it six months later.

Not sure where you live but who is being asked to stay home? Stay at home orders expired months ago everywhere. There are still some businesses not open or fully open but to my knowledge nobody in the US is still under stay at home orders.

As far as a plan to isolate the high risk population that sounds good in theory, but over 50% of the US population would be isolated when you factor in the elderly and anyone with one of the pre-existing conditions that make them high risk. So the government would have to foot the bill for millions of people who wouldn’t be able to work. Also, those people tend to need more medical care than the average person so how do they get to places like doctor‘s offices or pharmacies or get food when they can’t interact with the people working and not under any restrictions? Then you have the personal side. Lots of grandparents who can’t see their grandkids because they are isolating themselves. Then you have the economic impact. Do you know what happens to the economy when 50% of consumers are put on the sidelines? It wouldn‘t be pretty. Take WDW as an example. How many of the guests willing to visit now would be eliminated since they are elderly or have asthma or high blood pressure or are overweight?

The best way to get most of the country open and help the economy while at the same time minimizing the public health impact is to have more and better testing and tracing, nationwide compliance with mask wearing in public, better social distancing, no large group gatherings and continue to restrict indoor dining and bars. We tried some of these things but they weren’t done in a uniform way and didn’t have buy in from everyone. You mentioned other countries having spikes, but in the context of cases, deaths and restrictions we are doing worse than most other places. Many European countries had far more of their businesses open this summer than we did due to low case numbers. They may be pivoting to more restrictions now, but that should be the plan. Restrictions until cases are under control than a loosening and then if we have a spike clamp down again. With better testing and tracing you can get outbreaks under control much faster and have much shorter periods of restrictions.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

Not necessarily. There are several Disney chat rooms. Just being new to this one doesn’t mean your new to Disney forums. I have logins to 4 forums, but two of them I haven logged into in over a year.

There are many Disney chat boards and I’m sure a lot of us have been to them but come back here because it’s the best by far.
I think what the good Sir is saying that with all the threads here.. thousands? .. hundreds of thousands?... whatever it is it’s a unbelievable coincidence that so many would start their online posting in this one.. tens of thousands of pages in.. and it seems most of it started after the hammer came down here. Possible? Of course. Probable? Not so much.

 

[disneycp]

So your take is it’s overblown and not as risky as feared.
Ok...that’s not what I think is the right take...but a common one.

A couple things:

1. The “young” have proven themselves to be completely - predicably immature. The underground “covid party” scene hasn’t been covered much but it’s out there and really stupid.
You don’t get your “freedom” if you can’t handle it.

2. As far as travel - strictly business - goes...particularly Disney...
You’re not looking at the solution correctly. Getting the Health story out of the public mind is the ONLY way to get back to money. That is it. That’s their clientele. Most Disney customers are not sycophants...they aren’t gonna take chances or pay for bad product.
Crushing it has to happen. Disney won’t budge till that’s the case.

Saying “we’re open...it’s not that bad” is not a legitimate sales strategy.

I concede your point about Disney - I agree things won’t go back to normal for them until we’re not in a pandemic...but that circles back to what I was saying about the media terrifying everyone to an irrational level. If we had some level-headed reporting telling people to wear masks and take precautions and access their own risk level, instead of ringing a giant gong every time a new case is reported and acting like it’s a confirmed kill, people wouldn’t be so hesitant to go to Disney (I’ve seen several posts of people being afraid to even check their mail out of fear of the virus). Not that it matters, my thoughts on this situation aren’t Disney-specific.

Also, whether or not this whole thing is overblown and/or risky is entirely on a case by case basis - for some people, there IS a lot of risk associated with getting COVID. But let’s stop acting like the same amount of risk applies for everyone. I’m 25 - am I afraid of getting COVID? Honestly, not really. I’m much more afraid of losing a job I’ve worked my entire life to get, of not being able to pay my bills, of worsening my anxiety/depression by being in a constant state of uncertainty about the future.

And, finally, basing far-reaching public policy on teenagers being stupid is just ridiculous, not much else to say about that.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Even if your right it’s inpossible to prove and like you said it doesn’t really matter.

I honestly didn’t need Xdan’s shenanigans under another ghost account again...too long of a week for that

 

[disneycp]

Not sure where you live but who is being asked to stay home? Stay at home orders expired months ago everywhere. There are still some businesses not open or fully open but to my knowledge nobody in the US is still under stay at home orders.

Sorry, let me clarify - I’m not saying anyone is being asked to stay home at this point (in the US, at least). I’m responding specifically to the idea they if we all just stayed home for six months, this would be over by now. Other countries have tried that and that’s not how it works (and it definitely wouldn’t work in America where the concept of personal freedom is so deeply instilled in everyone).

 

[DisneyDebRob]

I concede your point about Disney - I agree things won’t go back to normal for them until we’re not in a pandemic...but that circles back to what I was saying about the media terrifying everyone to an irrational level. If we had some level-headed reporting telling people to wear masks and take precautions and access their own risk level, instead of ringing a giant gong every time a new case is reported and acting like it’s a confirmed kill, people wouldn’t be so hesitant to go to Disney (I’ve seen several posts of people being afraid to even check their mail out of fear of the virus). Not that it matters, my thoughts on this situation aren’t Disney-specific.

Also, whether or not this whole thing is overblown and/or risky is entirely on a case by case basis - for some people, there IS a lot of risk associated with getting COVID. But let’s stop acting like the same amount of risk applies for everyone. I’m 25 - am I afraid of getting COVID? Honestly, not really. I’m much more afraid of losing a job I’ve worked my entire life to get, of not being able to pay my bills, of worsening my anxiety/depression by being in a constant state of uncertainty about the future.

And, finally, basing far-reaching public policy on teenagers being stupid is just ridiculous, not much else to say about that.

I don’t consider anything that causes over 200,000 deaths and climbing to be “ overblown”.
If you are 10 years old or 90, no one should think that with what’s happened.

 

[DisneyCane]

But if the average human misses out on 6 months (which is all it would have taken) on a 90
Year lifespan...I don’t know that’s a bad trade?

Limping along for 2 years at partial opening, no normalcy and constant bickering is not “more valuable”. My opinion

The average human life span is not 90.

6 months is not all it would have taken unless it was a complete quarantine with nobody coming into contact with anyone. No essential workers.

Even then, it would only work if the borders were and still were completely sealed. In case you haven't noticed, there are still a ton of cases in other countries.

Anybody with half a brain knows that completely sealing the US border is impossible, even if it was desired.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I concede your point about Disney - I agree things won’t go back to normal for them until we’re not in a pandemic...but that circles back to what I was saying about the media terrifying everyone to an irrational level. If we had some level-headed reporting telling people to wear masks and take precautions and access their own risk level, instead of ringing a giant gong every time a new case is reported and acting like it’s a confirmed kill, people wouldn’t be so hesitant to go to Disney (I’ve seen several posts of people being afraid to even check their mail out of fear of the virus). Not that it matters, my thoughts on this situation aren’t Disney-specific.

Also, whether or not this whole thing is overblown and/or risky is entirely on a case by case basis - for some people, there IS a lot of risk associated with getting COVID. But let’s stop acting like the same amount of risk applies for everyone. I’m 25 - am I afraid of getting COVID? Honestly, not really. I’m much more afraid of losing a job I’ve worked my entire life to get, of not being able to pay my bills, of worsening my anxiety/depression by being in a constant state of uncertainty about the future.

And, finally, basing far-reaching public policy on teenagers being stupid is just ridiculous, not much else to say about that.

The media is not keeping people away from Florida.

All the quarantines are based on the medical statistics and trends as determined by epidemiologist approved guidelines.

Florida isn’t not handling it well. Their task force is made of patrons...not doctors.
That is what Is keeping people out of Florida.

Simple. The local and international governments are setting the terms. Meet them.

Careful the cranky old man/money pundit networks

 

[disneycp]

The media is not keeping people away from Florida.

All the quarantines are based on the medical statistics and trends as determined by epidemiologist approved guidelines.

Florida isn’t not handling it well. Their task force is made of patrons...not doctors.
That is what Is keeping people out of Florida.

Simple. The local and international governments are setting the terms. Meet them.

Careful the cranky old man/money pundit networks

The terms are based on metrics that don’t make sense...California is basing their opening plan on number of cases instead of something more relevant like hospitalizations or deaths. Why are we acting like 1000 cases among college kids is the same as 1000 cases in nursing home residents...? We’ve seen over and over again that the virus treats both groups differently and so should we.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The average human life span is not 90.

6 months is not all it would have taken unless it was a complete quarantine with nobody coming into contact with anyone. No essential workers.

Even then, it would only work if the borders were and still were completely sealed. In case you haven't noticed, there are still a ton of cases in other countries.

Anybody with half a brain knows that completely sealing the US border is impossible, even if it was desired.

It’s 79...if you’re 20 RIGHT NOW...will it perhaps end up being there??

Think either:
A. Outside the box
B. Inside the hole you keep digging

Nobody said seal borders. Infact in 7 months I don’t believe anyone has even suggested it.

Follow the guidelines, isolate the infected, screen those moving around.
Rocket science.

 

[DisneyDebRob]

The terms are based on metrics that don’t make sense...California is basing their opening plan on number of cases instead of something more relevant like hospitalizations or deaths. Why are we acting like 1000 cases among college kids is the same as 1000 cases in nursing home residents...? We’ve seen over and over again that the virus treats both groups differently and so should we.

The 1000 cases in nursing homes aren’t going to Disney. I’m not saying how they are handling is the best way but the other 1000 are out and about so I can see that point.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

The terms are based on metrics that don’t make sense...California is basing their opening plan on number of cases instead of something more relevant like hospitalizations or deaths. Why are we acting like 1000 cases among college kids is the same as 1000 cases in nursing home residents...? We’ve seen over and over again that the virus treats both groups differently and so should we.

I’m not wise enough to formulate public policy. Neither people in this exchange are.

But I will follow it.
I think the difference is that I don’t believe I’m entitled to an explanation.

I want normalcy and resumption of the money everyone craves.
My only choice is what path I believe to have the best chance of accomplishing that.

 

[disneycp]

It’s 79...if you’re 20 RIGHT NOW...will it perhaps end up being there??

Think either:
A. Outside the box
B. Inside the hole you keep digging

Nobody said seal borders. Infact in 7 months I don’t believe anyone has even suggested it.

Follow the guidelines, isolate the infected, screen those moving around.
Rocket science.

I’m sorry but what are you talking about? The entire reason we’re having this conversation is because you said that if we “did what we were supposed to do” for six months, this would all be over this. Now you didn’t get into the specifics of “what we’re supposed to do,” but I’m guessing that meant having everyone stay home, close the borders, etc. until cases were down to zero, is that not right? You’re switching arguments to whatever is convenient to you.

No one here, myself included, said anything negative about isolating the infected; I think that’s a very reasonable approach.

 

[disneycp]

The 1000 cases in nursing homes aren’t going to Disney. I’m not saying how they are handling is the best way but the other 1000 are out and about so I can see that point.

haha I don’t think they’re going to Disney either. But my point isn’t that we need everyone to go to Disney right now, I don’t care about that. We need to do what’s right for people based on their level of risk, just on an overall basis. To me, that means letting young/healthy people do whatever they need to do to support the people who really should be isolating.

Also I’m sorry for the insensitive wording before - I don’t think the number of deaths is overblown or anything less than horrible. I just think if we change our approach to be more nuanced, we could have prevented a lot of deaths.

 

[danlb_2000]

I concede your point about Disney - I agree things won’t go back to normal for them until we’re not in a pandemic...but that circles back to what I was saying about the media terrifying everyone to an irrational level. If we had some level-headed reporting telling people to wear masks and take precautions and access their own risk level, instead of ringing a giant gong every time a new case is reported and acting like it’s a confirmed kill, people wouldn’t be so hesitant to go to Disney (I’ve seen several posts of people being afraid to even check their mail out of fear of the virus). Not that it matters, my thoughts on this situation aren’t Disney-specific.

Also, whether or not this whole thing is overblown and/or risky is entirely on a case by case basis - for some people, there IS a lot of risk associated with getting COVID. But let’s stop acting like the same amount of risk applies for everyone. I’m 25 - am I afraid of getting COVID? Honestly, not really. I’m much more afraid of losing a job I’ve worked my entire life to get, of not being able to pay my bills, of worsening my anxiety/depression by being in a constant state of uncertainty about the future.

And, finally, basing far-reaching public policy on teenagers being stupid is just ridiculous, not much else to say about that.

Yes, the media does tend to over hype things, but this virus has killed 4 or 5 times more people already then the next most common infectious disease, the flu, kills in a year, and they year isn't over yet. We also don't have a good understanding of the long term impact the virus has on survivors. So there is reason for concern. Yes, people need to access their own risk, but they also have to understand that their choices impact other people who may be at a higher risk.

You also need to be careful with this one because on infected person in the wrong place can lead to a huge outbreak.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

I’m sorry but what are you talking about? The entire reason we’re having this conversation is because you said that if we “did what we were supposed to do” for six months, this would all be over this. Now you didn’t get into the specifics of “what we’re supposed to do,” but I’m guessing that meant having everyone stay home, close the borders, etc. until cases were down to zero, is that not right? You’re switching arguments to whatever is convenient to you.

No one here, myself included, said anything negative about isolating the infected; I think that’s a very reasonable approach.

The recommendations never proscribed border sealing as a requirement of control. I missed where that was suggested by the US CDC?

You’re assuming a lot of what my opinion is (you’re new...so you wouldn’t know)...which has been intelligent Control and progression. The leadership has not been there to ensure that. For instance, Florida unleashing the hounds last week for political/economic purposes.

That is not intelligent...it’s not wise. I’m not surprised.

 

[Sirwalterraleigh]

Yes, the media does tend to over hype things, but this virus has killed 4 or 5 times more people already then the next most common infectious disease, the flu, kills in a year, and they year isn't over yet. We also don't have a good understanding of the long term impact the virus has on survivors. So there is reason for concern. Yes, people need to access their own risk, but they also have to understand that their choices impact other people who may be at a higher risk.

You also need to be careful with this one because on infected person in the wrong place can lead to a huge outbreak.

The flu isn’t much of a threat in the American summer, either...I love how not only the time weighted average - but the time of year are dismissed “conveniently”

 

[disneycp]

The recommendations never proscribed border sealing as a requirement of control. I missed where that was suggested by the US CDC?

You assuming a lot of what my opinion is (your new...so you wouldn’t know)...which has been intelligent Control and progression. The leadership has not been there to ensure that. For instance, Florida unleashing the hounds last week for political/economic purposes.

That is not intelligent...it’s not wise. I’m not surprised.

I’m not arguing against the CDC’s recommendation...we’re talking about a post you made. I’m not assuming your opinion at all, I know what it is because I’m responding to something you said...

“But if the average human misses out on 6 months (which is all it would have taken) on a 90 Year lifespan...I don’t know that’s a bad trade?“

If I’m reading this quote wrong, please tell me what it means - what did you want everyone to do for 6 months to be done with this?