Masks and Social Distancing Go Away in WDW

[MOMIELKIDS]

In many countries right now, you have to carry proof of vaccination. When I was in the army, and traveling overseas, I had to carry my yellow vaccination card with me at all times. I still have the card and am amazed at the shots I got - Dengue fever????? I too have multiple DVC contracts and with the points getting more expensive and needing more to book every year, I too am considering just chucking it, although the DVC accommodations are always fun, but that's another blog not germane to the COVID issue.

 

[LAKid53]

I guess we are just having some different experiences. I too have a beach home in the Panhandle and I was just there 2 weeks ago and find most people NOT wearing masks. In the Eufaula, AL and Madrid, AL rest stops, which are the ones we stop at when going to our house near Mexico Beach, masks were few and far between. In January, driving down I-75 from Atlanta, going into towns like Lake City, it was scary. I asked the hostess at the Cracker Barrel there why she and the others and patrons weren't wearing masks and she said it was up to the individual because the county didn't require them. My point was the DeSantis would probably want to keep things OPEN, not close them down and Disney would be more cautious, judging from what I've seen this past year in my 3 trips to Disney and who knows how many to the Panhandle. I hope the stricter enforcement, as you say, IS the norm and you are correct in all your information. I just haven't seen it in my travels and personal experiences. And you can forget the Dollar Stores in the Panhandle around Mexico Beach and the neighboring towns - very few, if any, masks. Sorry to differ, but it's just what I've seen. Please DO point out any misinformation as I am only a visitor there and you are a resident and the facts may indeed be different.

I've lived in Florida for 55 years, 50 of them in the state capital. I think I'm pretty aware of Florida politics and how the pandemic has been managed in the state. And I visit WDW 5-7 times a year, well I'd did prior to COVID.

What a visitor may see is vastly different than what we residents may live.

 

[MOMIELKIDS]

I agree that the Panhandle is more Lower Alabama, just like J-ville is more lower Georgia, but Lake City and the other I-75 towns like Ocala are definitely east of T-hassee and at least from what I've personally experienced, nary a mask was seen the last 2 times I went through, which was last October and this January. Gainesville was nothing to write home about either when we stayed over there one night. the hotel staff wore them, but the Red Lobster line to get in was almost totally unmasked. Maybe it's changed and maybe they were tourists, though. I don't know, but I don't think all of them were.

 

[LAKid53]

No, it will not be this mitigated or requested forever. For all those who kept comparing a Novel virus to the Flu, that is when it will finally be more comparable to that. A season or two of most reasonable people choosing to be vaccinated. It diminishes it enough and many people annually still get vaccinated. That is when the comparison to other common diseases will come into play.
Nothing is guaranteed, but that is the current trend.
It is reported that 1 in every 3 adults in the UK have been Vaccinated.
The US is delivering over 2 million doses a day and the daily administered number is rising as supplies increase and availability and trials go to teenagers, children and infants.

We, i.e., the scientists and researchers, do not know yet
1. What level of vaccination or prior infection will result in herd immunity;
2. How long immunity from either infection or vaccination will last, hence the talk about possible annual booster
3. If existing vaccines will protect against current and/or future variants

Anything else is pure speculation. And comparison to influenza viruses is misleading.

 

[LAKid53]

I agree that the Panhandle is more Lower Alabama, just like J-ville is more lower Georgia, but Lake City and the other I-75 towns like Ocala are definitely east of T-hassee and at least from what I've personally experienced, nary a mask was seen the last 2 times I went through, which was last October and this January. Gainesville was nothing to write home about either when we stayed over there one night. the hotel staff wore them, but the Red Lobster line to get in was almost totally unmasked. Maybe it's changed and maybe they were tourists, though. I don't know, but I don't think all of them were.

I drive I-10 to I-75 to the Florida Turnpike to 429 to WDW. I stop at rest stations on I-10, I-75, the Turnpike, the Ocala Publix off of I-75, etc. I rarely see people without masks. And my last trip was at the end of January. But I'm traveling again next month, so I'll take a survey.

 

[MOMIELKIDS]

From your experiences, sounds like it may be changing and that's great news! Please do keep us posted! We're going back down in about a month and a half! Lake City was the worst on I-75, but hopefully maybe it's better now since January. And true, coming from the west, the restrooms I cited were in Alabama and we don't know where they were from...I just know that Lake City really gave us the creeps, and it's usually a good stop with good restaurants....thanks for letting us know. I'll look forward to your report!!! The other thing is I'm from the west side of suburban Atlanta, where mask wearing is probably close to 100%, so the standard I'm using might be artificially high...thanks again for your help.

 

[Chi84]

Yeah, the name is misleading....

There are CMs monitoring the stations so they don't get too crowded, so you may have to find another one. During my trip in September, I sat at a table at Tortuga Tavern in MK, with a snack, to sit and relax. Under the new rules, I won't be able to do that any more, once I've finished eating.

We eat (and drink) pretty slowly, so we should be okay. I suspect there may have been people sitting at those tables without any food, using them as mask relief areas.

 

[Minnesota disney fan]

My friend, an otherwise healthy State trooper, died of COVID, leaving a wife and 2 sons behind. He didn't wear a mask. I'll wear a mask.

I am so sorry to hear that.
I hope that your friends' wife andk ids can go to COPS in Washington, DC when they are able. My dear son in law died while working for law enforcement leaving behind 2 young sons. They didn't go to COPS for several years, but it was so beneficial to them all. It is very well done, and is done for the families of law enforcement members who have died while on the job. They have support sessions, activities, and a special speaker each year. You would be amazed at the special speaker that was a secret until the event, that my family got to see and hear. These "stars" and important heads of state do this voluntarily each year. We all got so much help from this. When she is ready I hope she and the boys will go to COPS.

 

[MOMIELKIDS]

I am so sorry to hear that.
I hope that your friends' wife andk ids can go to COPS in Washington, DC when they are able. My dear son in law died while working for law enforcement leaving behind 2 young sons. They didn't go to COPS for several years, but it was so beneficial to them all. It is very well done, and is done for the families of law enforcement members who have died while on the job. They have support sessions, activities, and a special speaker each year. You would be amazed at the special speaker that was a secret until the event, that my family got to see and hear. These "stars" and important heads of state do this voluntarily each year. We all got so much help from this. When she is ready I hope she and the boys will go to COPS.

Thanks so much! I'll let her know!

 

[LAKid53]

We eat (and drink) pretty slowly, so we should be okay. I suspect there may have been people sitting at those tables without any food, using them as mask relief areas.

You're probably correct. Those table are my favorite spot to sit and relax to shelter from the sun....and rain.

 

[nickys]

It is reported that 1 in every 3 adults in the UK have been Vaccinated.
The US is delivering over 2 million doses a day and the daily administered number is rising as supplies increase and availability and trials go to teenagers, children and infants.

Half of all adults in the U.K. have now had their first dose.

 

[GhostHost1000]

So??? Your comment was "...ever done it in Florida, in the humid summer..."

I've been doing it, in Florida, since March 2020. In the heat and humidity that is this state...including a trip to WDW in September. If WE Floridians can do it, y'all can for a short visit to WDW.

Ever been up north in the winter after living in Florida? Same in reverse..but with masks

 

[LAKid53]

Ever been up north in the winter after living in Florida? Same in reverse..but with masks

We weren't talking about winter in the North. And yes, I've been in cold weather - in Colorado, at our ranch in the dead of winter.

 

[Parker in NYC]

October 2022.

 

[Chi84]

October 1, 2021

 

[Ken R]

I hope all of the silly mask requirements, 6 foot spacing and cheap zip tied plexiglass all goes a way soon. With the vaccines being administered and temperatures being taken at the park entrances, they should be gone soon.

 

[larryz]

No.

 

[DG32]

My friend, an otherwise healthy State trooper, died of COVID, leaving a wife and 2 sons behind. He didn't wear a mask. I'll wear a mask.

And an overwhelming percentage of "COVID deaths" reported as always having worn a mask. They wore masks. I won't wear a mask.

And I don't demand anyone else does or doesn't either. I allow others the freedom to choose.

hashtag anecdote is unfortunate but not evidence

hashtag smh

I literally can't believe some of the things I'm reading in this thread alone.

 

[TokyoMiki]

My friend, an otherwise healthy State trooper, died of COVID, leaving a wife and 2 sons behind. He didn't wear a mask. I'll wear a mask

appears that you think he died because he didn't like mask on face.


the catchphrase for this hour has been "it is to protect others".

chances look like he would get sick even with a cloth face

 

[Parker in NYC]

October 1, 2021

I wouldn't bet on that for all the tea in Wuhan. Well, you know what I mean.