Will WDW lift mask mandate?

[BuckeyeBama]

Just read new cdc guidance says fully vaccinated ppl can gather without masks. So I would think that when vaccines are widely available that mask mandates will be relaxed.

Only with other vaccinated people, or people who are not at risk for severe Covid. Also, not in large groups.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

The South African one. It is below 60% effective- better than AZs but still concerning.

Pfizer and Moderna are not as effective against S. Africa variant either though. That variant seems to be most troubling for all of the vaccines.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

I think a lot hinges on the variants, especially since J&J is not helpful with at least one major one. (I will clarify to say it’s less than 60% effective for the SA variant)

Having enough doses doesn’t mean they’ve actually been able to vaccinate everyone. That’s just going to take time. Also I’m going to continue to point out the fact that there is no vaccine currently approved for children under the age of 16 which is a big portion of Disney’s guests.

the same amount of children that died of the flu last year (2019-2020) died of covid this year and we have a flu vaccine. Not that their lives didn’t matter (and I know covid isn’t the flu) but I don’t see unvaccinated children being the reason we continue to wear masks. But I could be wrong.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

the same amount of children that died of the flu last year (2019-2020) died of covid this year and we have a flu vaccine. Not that their lives didn’t matter (and I know covid isn’t the flu) but I don’t see unvaccinated children being the reason we continue to wear masks. But I could be wrong.

Yep - it will be unvaccinated adults who slow our recovery

 

[LSUmiss]

Only with other vaccinated people, or people who are not at risk for severe Covid. Also, not in large groups.

Right for now. But imo that’s the first step. Once the vaccine is more readily available, I think that’ll change.

 

[helloconnie]

Dr. Fauci, February 21,2021

“Conceivable that you can get protected from symptomatic infection because your vaccinated and still have the virus infect you without you knowing it, and have virus in your nasal pharynx. Which means that you could theoretically and maybe practically transmit the virus even though your not sick and you’ve been vaccinated.”

Start at the 11 minute mark for context, this quote is at the 12 minute mark. Dr Fauci fireside covid chat

Great interview if you’ve got 20 minutes- really kicks off around 5 minutes and a good listen through the 30 minute mark.

all this to say, the studies aren’t conclusive enough for Dr. Fauci yet- and it would be *potentially catastrophic * to make early assumptions otherwise. I think that’s what Disney is trying to avoid. Being labeled a grandma killer if we find out that the vaccine isn’t as effective in certain situations. What a PR nightmare.

So here is proof to what Dr. Fauci is saying: I recently had a doctor's appointment. The next day, my doctor called me to inform me that he and four others in the office tested positive for COVID and were asymptomatic. They still test every day. They all had been fully vaccinated. He wore a mask and I wore a mask but I still had to isolate for 6 days until I was eligible to get the PCR test, which was negative. The vaccine does not prevent you from getting the virus but does prevent you from getting ill. Dr. Fauci has repeatedly said that the mask mandate will be around for some time. You can have the virus even after being vaccinated, and not know it. President Biden says that there will be enough vaccines for every adult by May. However, roughly 31% of Americans (according to new PEW Research Poll) still say they won't get vaccinated. (Over 18 that means roughly 144 million will get it and 65 million will not.) So, by April, I think every adult who wants the shot will be able to get it. Pfizer's vaccine for children is estimated to be ready for FDA Emergency Use Authorization in September. Masks will still be required to protect the 65 million who choose not to get vaccinated and our kids who cannot get vaccinated yet. I think the CDC will relax other restrictions but not the mask mandate in public.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

So here is proof to what Dr. Fauci is saying: I recently had a doctor's appointment. The next day, my doctor called me to inform me that he and four others in the office tested positive for COVID and were asymptomatic. They still test every day. They all had been fully vaccinated. He wore a mask and I wore a mask but I still had to isolate for 6 days until I was eligible to get the PCR test, which was negative. The vaccine does not prevent you from getting the virus but does prevent you from getting ill. Dr. Fauci has repeatedly said that the mask mandate will be around for some time. You can have the virus even after being vaccinated, and not know it. President Biden says that there will be enough vaccines for every adult by May. However, roughly 31% of Americans (according to new PEW Research Poll) still say they won't get vaccinated. (Over 18 that means roughly 144 million will get it and 65 million will not.) So, by April, I think every adult who wants the shot will be able to get it. Pfizer's vaccine for children is estimated to be ready for FDA Emergency Use Authorization in September. Masks will still be required to protect the 65 million who choose not to get vaccinated and our kids who cannot get vaccinated yet. I think the CDC will relax other restrictions but not the mask mandate in public.

Eventually it’ll come to a point that if you choose not to get vaccinated then you assume the risks. It shouldn’t overwhelm hospitals since it’s only 30%. And Children rarely get sick.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Haven’t the CM unions stipulated masks on guests? So, that will have to be negotiated first, right?

I think social distancing and capacity restrictions in will be relaxed first to allow them to cram more people in, masks dropped later when kids can be vaccinated.

I don't think they will wait for kids to be vaccinated. The vaccine likely poses more risk of reaction for children than actual Covid. Regular influenza is more harmful to them. It's the adults who need the vaccine to protect from severe disease and once that's accomplished I can't see Disney holding out much longer.

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

I don't think they will wait for kids to be vaccinated. The vaccine likely poses more risk of reaction for children than actual Covid. Regular influenza is more harmful to them. It's the adults who need the vaccine to protect from severe disease and once that's accomplished I can't see Disney holding out much longer.

Agreed. And I will be honest, as soon as I'm eligible I will get the vaccine for myself, but I'm in zero rush to get it for my kids. For me as an adult, the long term risks of Covid are far greater than the unknown side effects of the vaccine (which may be none). I can't say the same for vaccinating my kids.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

Eventually it’ll come to a point that if you choose not to get vaccinated then you assume the risks. It shouldn’t overwhelm hospitals since it’s only 30%. And Children rarely get sick.

Well said. At some point you assume your own risk. Children rarely get sick and they are already going to school, etc. Zero reason to hold out for a vaccine for kids. Many parents won't even want it for their kids since Covid poses very little risk to children. You can always choose to wear a mask if you are concerned.

 

[mrsap]

CDC Guidelines just updated for those who are vaccinated

 

[ENJDisneyFan]

Masks will still be required to protect the 65 million who choose not to get vaccinated and our kids who cannot get vaccinated yet.

Disagree fully with this. I am 100% willing to wear a mask until everyone who wants a vaccine is able to get one. I am 100% NOT willing to wear a mask indefinitely to protect those who choose NOT to get vaccinated. Once a vaccine is available and you refuse it, that's on you! (and I don't mean you specifically, I mean the collective "you")

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

the same amount of children that died of the flu last year (2019-2020) died of covid this year and we have a flu vaccine. Not that their lives didn’t matter (and I know covid isn’t the flu) but I don’t see unvaccinated children being the reason we continue to wear masks. But I could be wrong.

I agree entirely. The number of children who had severe disease or died from Covid is literally minute and no greater than the deaths of children from regular influenza, or even Swine flu (H1N1 which was actually even more harmful to children. But nothing closed down and we didn't mask to prevent their deaths then. The same should apply now, once all adults who want a vaccine have gotten it, the masks should be lifted.

 

[mi*vida*loca]

Disagree fully with this. I am 100% willing to wear a mask until everyone who wants a vaccine is able to get one. I am 100% NOT willing to wear a mask indefinitely to protect those who choose NOT to get vaccinated. Once a vaccine is available and you refuse it, that's on you! (and I don't mean you specifically, I mean the collective "you")

And most who refuse to get vaccinated are fine taking the risk. I realllyyy didn’t want to get the vaccine but I did (and I also had covid) so No way am I wearing a mask to protect people who plain refuse to get the vaccine.

 

[Childs1stTime2Disney]

And most who refuse to get vaccinated are fine taking the risk. I realllyyy didn’t want to get the vaccine but I did (and I also had covid) so No way am I wearing a mask to protect people who plain refuse to get the vaccine.

I am not choosing to get the vaccine due to medical concerns I have for myself due ot my own health history. But I certainly don't want anyone masking for me nor do I wish to mask anymore than I need to. Life is never without risk so once everyone has the choice, then time to move forward. I can mitigate my own risks if I am that concerned. I can choose to go or not go places, or choose to wear a mask if I want to continue. They "should" be focusing on treatments but that's another discussion.

 

[whiporee]

The CDC news today was very good news for everyone.

Assuming that the vaccines continue to be effective against the disease and its variants, I think by July we'll be at the point where everyone who wants to be vaccinated can be vaccinated or will have been vaccinated. At that point, there's no reason for masks, so I think they're gone as a mandate. Some people will choose to continue to wear them, but if they aren't required anywhere, I don't think they'll be used very much.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I don't see any of the major theme parks dropping masks; partially they don't want people to feel unsafe and until the Unions agree with them you won't see it - besides the guest safety the safety of the Cast Members at Disney is important as well. I 100% agree with @Brett Wyman - Disney will follow the CDC and part of the reason is to avoid lawsuits too.

The people who "feel unsafe" are not going to theme parks to begin with. The people who are out and about tend to be the same people who want to get back to normal as quickly as possible.

 

[BuckeyeBama]

I would not be surprised to see insurance companies put in exceptions for coverage for those who choose not to become vaccinated at some point. The cost for hospitalization can surpass $1MM in severe cases. Why should society pay for their gamble?

 

[jamos14]

I'm with many of you that think this will be looked at again in summer (at the earliest) after a few more months of vaccinations. It cannot be understated that as of yesterday, more people have been fully vaccinated that CONFIRMED Covid-19 cases. Obviously, there have been 2-4x more cases than officially confirmed but it's a great milestone.

This is only going to get better.

The fall and 50th anniversary are almost 7 months away. That is an incredibly long time when we are discussing a pandemic that is changing week by week. Especially considering we are vaccinating more than 2.5 million people everyday and that is only growing faster.

I'm very hopeful no masks and practically no restrictions by the fall.

 

[CaptainAmerica]

I'm with many of you that think this will be looked at again in summer (at the earliest) after a few more months of vaccinations. It cannot be understated that as of yesterday, more people have been fully vaccinated that CONFIRMED Covid-19 cases. Obviously, there have been 2-4x more cases than officially confirmed but it's a great milestone.

This is only going to get better.

The fall and 50th anniversary are almost 7 months away. That is an incredibly long time when we are discussing a pandemic that is changing week by week. Especially considering we are vaccinating more than 2.5 million people everyday and that is only growing faster.

I'm very hopeful no masks and practically no restrictions by the fall.

I have an 11 hour light booked for November so I'm absolutely desperate for there to be no more masks on airplanes by then.