Masks and Social Distancing Go Away in WDW

[MaryJaneP]

If competent science proves that vaccinated people cannot be asymptomatic carriers and are absolutely incapable of spreading the virus, then the issue is decided. Interestingly, it seems as though some who have rejected following science before now refuse to continue their objection to following science. What a flip-flop. While the issue still seems to be in doubt, those who want to proceed on predictions can gamble away. If businesses do not agree, their private property, like WDW, may not follow suit.

 

[Chi84]

If competent science proves that vaccinated people cannot be asymptomatic carriers and are absolutely incapable of spreading the virus, then the issue is decided. Interestingly, it seems as though some who have rejected following science before now refuse to continue their objection to following science. What a flip-flop. While the issue still seems to be in doubt, those who want to proceed on predictions can gamble away. If businesses do not agree, their private property, like WDW, may not follow suit.

Nothing will ever be "absolute" or 100%. Mitigation measures were put in place to control the spread of the virus, not to prevent anyone from ever getting COVID. I posted an easily understood article with links to the studies that show vaccinated people are not spreading COVID. The CDC is revising its guidelines to take that into account (vaccinated people do not have to quarantine or get tested after exposure to COVID, among others), although it's moving slowly because most people are not yet vaccinated and there's no system in place to prove vaccination status.

Businesses do not want to keep mitigation measures in place one minute longer than necessary, as we're seeing with 2 states that have already developed vaccine passports to be used for admission to events. WDW will revise mitigation measures as soon as it is reasonable for them to do so, although they will understandably move more slowly given their reputation and customer base.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Covid numbers are going up in many places where vaccination is occurring. One reason could be that vaccinated people can be asymptomatic carriers and can continue to spread the virus. Agree that 100% is hard to reach, if ever. Not all of this can be blamed on the Spring Breakers. It seems like mitigation measures were put in place to control the spread and thus, control the number of people infected, then those not exposed were prevented from getting Covid. Even the vaccines do not prevent recipients from getting Covid, they prevent severe and/or deadly results according to their efficacy percentages. Mitigation measures may need to be used until the coast is clear. There was a saying, maybe in science, about not counting your chickens... Well, the rest is self-evident to many who are not deniers. WDW included

 

[KTK]

WDW has already announced mask wearing will be required through the end of 2021 (though they may extend it later).

 

[Chi84]

WDW has already announced mask wearing will be required through the end of 2021 (though they may extend it later).

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.

 

[MaryJaneP]

It is true that WDW did say mask wearing will be required through the end of 2021. But as has been seen by the change in stance regarding mask wearing by Dr. Fauci (March 2020 vs March 2021), things may evolve over the coming months that require WDW to modify that prediction.

 

[MaryJaneP]

Here is what Chapek said in his recent call....

February 27, 2021 Update: First, Disney CEO Bob Chapek addressed health safety policies in a recent earnings call, saying future rule will be “determined by the rate of vaccination of the public.” He stated that the parks will have “some level” of physical distancing and mask-wearing for the remainder of 2021. However, if vaccines are available to the general public per the anticipated April timeline, Disney views that as a “game-changer.” To that point, Chapek also said “Do we believe we’ll be in the same state of 6 foot social distancing and mask wearing in 2022? Absolutely not.”

 

[Chi84]

Here is what Chapek said in his recent call....

February 27, 2021 Update: First, Disney CEO Bob Chapek addressed health safety policies in a recent earnings call, saying future rule will be “determined by the rate of vaccination of the public.” He stated that the parks will have “some level” of physical distancing and mask-wearing for the remainder of 2021. However, if vaccines are available to the general public per the anticipated April timeline, Disney views that as a “game-changer.” To that point, Chapek also said “Do we believe we’ll be in the same state of 6 foot social distancing and mask wearing in 2022? Absolutely not.”

That's it. It's been my experience with Disney over 37 years' worth of trips that they don't even want to tell you what their current policies are, never mind what they may or may not be in the future. There's no way they would lock themselves in to something months in the future with things changing as much as they are right now.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Here is what Chapek said in his recent call....

February 27, 2021 Update: First, Disney CEO Bob Chapek addressed health safety policies in a recent earnings call, saying future rule will be “determined by the rate of vaccination of the public.” He stated that the parks will have “some level” of physical distancing and mask-wearing for the remainder of 2021. However, if vaccines are available to the general public per the anticipated April timeline, Disney views that as a “game-changer.” To that point, Chapek also said “Do we believe we’ll be in the same state of 6 foot social distancing and mask wearing in 2022? Absolutely not.”

It's worth noting that earnings calls are based on Disney's fiscal year for the prepared remarks portions, but can bounce back and forth between fiscal year and calendar year during the Q&A portion. It's unclear whether "2022" in this context means "October 3, 2021" or "January 1, 2022."

 

[MaryJaneP]

Kinda confusing what some level of mask wearing means. It seems like it is either on or off, required or not. And the distinction that inside is different than outside simply punts the ball. Deniers have ranted nearly non-stop about ways to defeat WDW's efforts by walking around with drinks and/or food.

"Epidemiologists also point out that the vaccine will be one layer of protection. It’ll protect you if the virus reaches your body, while wearing a mask and physical distancing further reduce the chances that the virus will reach your body in the first place. It’s a patchwork approach, with no form of protection having 100% efficacy." (from DisneyTouristBlog)

https://www.disneytouristblog.com/when-will-disney-world-stop-requiring-face-masks/

But if others know better, have fun.

 

[MaryJaneP]

It is true that it is unknown if Chapek's remarks refer to calendar 2022 or fiscal 2022. The Calendar 2022 obviously begins January 1, 2022, while the fiscal year 2022 does begin in October 2021. It would have been nice if he made it clear but again, he is not Madame Leota and lacks her crystal ball on many things. Christmas at WDW this year will be telling.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Kinda confusing what some level of mask wearing means. It seems like it is either on or off, required or not.

I could see them maybe requiring masks on buses after they've dropped the requirement in the parks themselves. Or going with "masks optional, but not required" for some time.

 

[MaryJaneP]

I could see them maybe requiring masks on buses after they've dropped the requirement in the parks themselves. Or going with "masks optional, but not required" for some time.

Spring and Summer 2021 seem to be somewhat predictable in that the current mask policy will probably still be in place. Whether it is followed, as evidenced by prior posts, is less certain.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

Spring and Summer 2021 seem to be somewhat predictable in that the current mask policy will probably still be in place. Whether it is followed, as evidenced by prior posts, is less certain.

People are following the rules for the most part, and those that aren't are being reminded to do so by the cast.

I'm vehemently anti-mask, but I follow the rules because I'm not an a-hole. American Airlines and Walt Disney World were very clear on their mask policies when I made my reservations, so I'm going to follow them even though I think it's stupid.

 

[MaryJaneP]

An earlier post spoke of a recent visit to WDW and said both social distancing as well as mask wearing is significantly being flouted. The post also cited that there is what only may be generously described as spotty enforcement by nearby CMs. Maybe this is limited to that one guest's observations.

 

[plawren2]

Even more evidence shows vaccinated people are unlikely to transmit the coronavirus or get asymptomatic infections

A new study shows that Pfizer's shot prevents asymptomatic infections almost as well as symptomatic cases of COVID-19.

www.businessinsider.com

Contains links to the studies. I have no idea why people resist this so much. There’s much more info in the thread on COVID vaccine updates.

initial studies not yet peer reviewed, looks very promising going forward but until we have solid science does it not seem prudent to be remain careful, at least for a few more months?

 

[Chi84]

People are following the rules for the most part, and those that aren't are being reminded to do so by the cast.

I'm vehemently anti-mask, but I follow the rules because I'm not an a-hole. American Airlines and Walt Disney World were very clear on their mask policies when I made my reservations, so I'm going to follow them even though I think it's stupid.

I agree. No one's getting COVID from someone pulling down their mask to take a sip of water while walking through a park. But when you're dealing with tens of thousands of people, the rules have to be "all or nothing," at least until the spread is a bit more under control.

We're vaccinated and going to WDW in May. We have no fear of getting or spreading COVID but will comply with the mask requirements set out by Disney because that's how society works. We are keeping an open mind about table service restaurants. We have reservations, but if they are doing silly things like making people put on their masks between courses, we will just cancel and switch to inexpensive quick service places. But we won't go and then try to get away with not following the rules, no matter what we think of them.

 

[plawren2]

There may be a 4th wave but there won’t be any more closures.

Why a 4th COVID-19 wave may look different than previous surges

With more people vaccinated, a fourth COVID-19 wave could look different than those the country has previously experienced.

abcnews.go.com

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).

 

[LuvtheGoof]

An earlier post spoke of a recent visit to WDW and said both social distancing as well as mask wearing is significantly being flouted. The post also cited that there is what only may be generously described as spotty enforcement by nearby CMs. Maybe this is limited to that one guest's observations.

It is, as we were there just last week, and mask usage was better than 99%. We saw none that weren't wearing a mask at all, and only a few idiots that had them under their noses. And those idiots did pull them up when they saw a nearby CM.

Social distancing was another matter. In the walkways in the parks, it was sometimes very difficult to do. In the queues, most people followed the tape on the ground, but we did have to ask a few times for people to fall back when they were getting to close. None complained about it us, and were respectful after that. Of course, we were pleasant about it, and not being jerks. DS was the worst for social distancing, as it was simply too crowded in a lot of areas. The restaurants and stores were all good about it, though.

 

[Chi84]

initial studies not yet peer reviewed, looks very promising going forward but until we have solid science does it not seem prudent to be remain careful, at least for a few more months?

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.