Masks and Social Distancing Go Away in WDW

[Chi84]

not closures, but continued mask wearing and social distancing (which results in reductions in permitted capacity for in-door and outdoor large public gatherings-which again will create economic hardships for many businesses especially bars, restaurants, movie and live theaters/concerts and yes amusement parks).

That's why the vaccine passports are starting to look so good. Leisure-type businesses such as restaurants and Disney are not going to get the crowds they need until they get rid of the mask requirements. Too many people are put off by the inconvenience of them (I know some people have no problem with them, but people are different). Hopefully, enough people will get vaccinated to allow relaxation of those measures without vaccination passports, but if COVID remains a serious problem long enough, businesses are going to have to find a way to treat unvaccinated people differently.

 

[plawren2]

If we did that with the vaccines, there wouldn't be any yet - the vaccines were given emergency use authorization by the FDA. The same scientists who developed those vaccines took the position at the outset that "there is no universe" in which a vaccine 95% effective at preventing illness does not also prevent transmission. Because of time constraints, studies only covered the first part.

Since then, those same vaccine makers have done additional testing showing that the vaccines prevent both illness and transmission of the virus. Studies in real life confirm this. I have no issue waiting a few more months until everyone who wants a vaccination can get one. But once that time has passed, we need to start following the science that shows vaccinated people are not infecting others with COVID.

There were extensive studies and trials with all the vaccines. Yep studies did not address transmitting COVID-19, so again why rush to remove mask recommendations (which harm no one) until we know more in a few months. Yet we see mask and social distancing policies being removed in many states, including several that are already seeing another wave, in younger populations and due to variants.

 

[plawren2]

That's why the vaccine passports are starting to look so good. Leisure-type businesses such as restaurants and Disney are not going to get the crowds they need until they get rid of the mask requirements. Too many people are put off by the inconvenience of them (I know some people have no problem with them, but people are different). Hopefully, enough people will get vaccinated to allow relaxation of those measures without vaccination passports, but if COVID remains a serious problem long enough, businesses are going to have to find a way to treat unvaccinated people differently.

yes just wait for the debate on vaccine passports, if you thought mask and social distancing recommendations were hated by many, just watch......

 

[MaryJaneP]

Yeah, the hue and cry over wearing a small piece of fabric on you face and staying 6 feet apart will undobtedly pale in comparison to the uproar bound to be unleashed when people are asked to present their papers. Sounds like WWII times.

 

[plawren2]

Yeah, the hue and cry over wearing a small piece of fabric on you face and staying 6 feet apart will undobtedly pale in comparison to the uproar bound to be unleashed when people are asked to present their papers. Sounds like WWII times.

yea but then again one must already produce ID to rent a car, own a car, own a house, open a bank account, have a drivers license, get on a plane, buy a beer etc..... not say I agree with vaccine passports but not so sure it rises to the level of being asked to present your papers

 

[MaryJaneP]

Agree to disagree over whether being required to show a vaccine passport will be any more accepted than the other mitigation measures. Especially if not having one, leaving it at home/ in hotel room/in the car, can't the gatekeeper just let it slide by this one time, prevents some from entry into WDW.

 

[plawren2]

Agree to disagree over whether being required to show a vaccine passport will be any more accepted than the other mitigation measures. Especially if not having one, leaving it at home/ in hotel room/in the car, can't the gatekeeper just let it slide by this one time, prevents some from entry into WDW.

wasn't really disagreeing

 

[KTK]

That's not true. If you're talking about the interview with Chapek a few months ago on some type of shareholder's call, he said they anticipate some mitigation would last the rest of the year, but if people were able to get vaccinated earlier, that would be a "game-changer." WDW is keeping its options open on when and how much to relax mitigation. There's no way they would make a definite decision this far in advance with the situation changing as much as it is.

You are only factoring in adults with your argument, what about kids? Studies just got underway with kids, this will take at least 6 months until FDA approval. It is unlikely all kids will be eligible for vaccination especially elem school aged kids until end of the year at best. I hope it will be sooner.

 

[Hcalvert]

That's the whole idea behind the masks - protect others. I've been vaccinated with both shots, but I still wear the mask and distance. It's not about me...it's about the others...

Me too I received my second dose on March 10. I am a teacher and have kids in my class. We all wear masks.

 

[World_Showcase_Lover007]

At this point, I feel naked without a mask, so it’s all good. I’ll just keep wearing them lol.

 

[bdearl41]

I really think Disney drops masks once they get their staff vaccinated.

 

[bdearl41]

Also some good news Pfizer is 100% effective against any disease for 12-15 year olds and well tolerated.

 

[The Mom]

Just a reminder that this is not the general Covid thread, and is specifically questioning when people think the mask requirement will be lifted at WDW. I know it's hard not to get side-tracked into a whole Covid discussion, but you must not go there - in this thread.

 

[Chi84]

As far as when the requirement will be dropped, there was good news yesterday. The CDC study confirmed studies by Pfizer and Moderna and the real-life experience in Israel that vaccinated people are not getting infected and spreading COVID. I know a handful of people on this site resist that idea with all their might, but now that the CDC is saying it also, maybe people will start believing it.

The logistics of enforcement will require that Disney keep the requirement at least until most people are vaccinated, but it's becoming more and more clear that this is an enforcement issue, not a safety issue. With so many still unvaccinated and no way to tell who is or isn't, dropping the requirement now could lead to unvaccinated people removing masks and possible infecting each other.

At some point, though, businesses are going to have to figure out a reliable way to tell which people are vaccinated and therefore not getting or spreading COVID. I'm aware that some people find mask-wearing no problem, but there are many who do (not everyone is the same). I don't mind wearing a mask to protect others, but wearing one because someone else who is unvaccinated might lie is not a good justification for it - at least not long term.

Hopefully, people can understand that enforcement is a real problem now and that mask-wearing can't be dropped until most are vaccinated or there is a reliable system for finding out who is.

 

[CLEtoWDW]

Eventually common sense will prevail (hopefully). When you are vaccinated you have nearly a 90% chance of avoiding a COVID infection and a 100% chance of evading severe illness or death. With this being the case we need to stop count “cases” because it will become a meaningless stat. By the summer we need to remove the mask mandates and understand that those who are vaccinated are protected and those that aren’t vaccinated are taking the risk into their own hands. More common sense less nonsense that’s what I’m calling for in 2021.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Yeah, no masks. Variants be damned. Mitigation must end. And this is not a temper tantrum.

 

[Chi84]

You are only factoring in adults with your argument, what about kids? Studies just got underway with kids, this will take at least 6 months until FDA approval. It is unlikely all kids will be eligible for vaccination especially elem school aged kids until end of the year at best. I hope it will be sooner.

WDW opened at the height of the pandemic and has been admitting kids without masks or negative tests every day since then - as long as they are under age 2. That age was chosen by the CDC based on the opinion of a group of US pediatricians. Other health/children's agencies like the WHO and UNICEF chose age 5 as the age to begin requiring masks (UNICEF suggests they be optional for ages 5-11). At the time these ages were chosen, there was little to no data on how COVID was being spread or who was spreading it; the ages were chosen based on opinions as to the safety/reasonableness of making very young children wear masks. If the CDC had chosen age 5 and WDW followed it, Disney would have been admitting children under the age of 5 since last July without requiring masks or negative tests and no one would have batted an eye.

There is good news on the vaccination front - Pfizer said it trials showed the vaccine is safe for 12-15 year olds. As more people are vaccinated and additional data come in, the CDC will revise its recommendations and businesses will likely follow. I do agree that WDW will be more conservative than most because it is a theme park rather than an essential business.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Recent experience reported a higher transmission rate in elementary schools than in middle or high schools, contrary to the school districts own expectations. Kids are a vector and mitigation measures, of which, vaccination is only one, need to reach all of society, the old, the middle aged, the young, and even school age children.

 

[Walt Disney1955]

Eventually common sense will prevail (hopefully). When you are vaccinated you have nearly a 90% chance of avoiding a COVID infection and a 100% chance of evading severe illness or death. With this being the case we need to stop count “cases” because it will become a meaningless stat. By the summer we need to remove the mask mandates and understand that those who are vaccinated are protected and those that aren’t vaccinated are taking the risk into their own hands. More common sense less nonsense that’s what I’m calling for in 2021.

Common sense isn't too common right now. Panic has been the name of the game since March of 2020. There are those of us who would have been happy a year ago to have things open up and go at our own risk. I've been doing it for a year, but there have been many things closed. But I haven't batted an eyelash about being scared of the virus. I risk getting into my car everyday and 1.5 million people die in car accidents every year. I choose to take that risk despite the fact that even an error in judgement can cause an accident and kill someone if I swerve in my lane. Yet no one bans cars.

 

[Lilofan]

Common sense isn't too common right now. Panic has been the name of the game since March of 2020. There are those of us who would have been happy a year ago to have things open up and go at our own risk. I've been doing it for a year, but there have been many things closed. But I haven't batted an eyelash about being scared of the virus. I risk getting into my car everyday and 1.5 million people die in car accidents every year. I choose to take that risk despite the fact that even an error in judgement can cause an accident and kill someone if I swerve in my lane. Yet no one bans cars.

I don't share your viewpoint but if you and your family decide enjoy time at WDW at the current time mask up or risk getting asked to leave the park. I don't expect the WDW mask policy to be dropped until 2022.