Anyone concerned about the Coronavirus in WDW ?

[LaurenT]

We have a trip to WDW scheduled in 3 weeks. I have no intention of changing our plans. If they close the parks (which I really think has an infinitesimally small chance of happening in the US), then we'll just go to the beach instead. We will be a bit more vigilant about hand-washing than we might otherwise be, but that's pretty much it.

I say this as someone who lost my sister to flu 3 years ago. She was gone in less than 72 hours from first showing symptoms, due to cytokine storm. I don't underestimate the flu, and I won't underestimate COVID-19. I will take reasonable precautions, but I choose not to tie myself in knots worrying about something that is largely beyond my control.

This is how I feel. I’m going the last week of April. I have a feeling that Covid19 is going to have a foothold domestically by then- that wouldn’t make me cancel - I just hope the parks don’t close because of it.

 

[erc]

Seems like the SARS timeline was a month ahead of the Covid-19 timeline. I think one difference is they already have a non-traveler who has contracted it in California. That never happened with SARS.
https://www.cdc.gov/about/history/sars/timeline.htm

 

[Farro]

The person in California - they still haven't ruled out that they came in contact with a someone who had traveled recently to affected countries.

It's still the same, we know it can be transmitted person to person. It's just now they don't know what "person" this patient caught it from and that "person" is possibly infecting others.

It's on us to report immediately to a hospital (your doctor's office) if we start to get those symptoms - fever, cough, shortness of breath. Even if you think it's just a cold, don't be that person that ignores a potential issue.
I have to say I am glad I'm in Chicago with access to great physicians and also our state is one of the states that have the testing capabilities on-site.

I mean honestly, it's going to spread around just like the flu at some point. And will probably come back every year, just like the flu. In fact one of the doctors said we will probably be calling it "cold, flu and Covid season".

By next season hopefully they have a vaccine ready.

 

[buttersnix]

The person in California - they still haven't ruled out that they came in contact with a someone who had traveled recently to affected countries.

It's still the same, we know it can be transmitted person to person. It's just now they don't know what "person" this patient caught it from and that "person" is possibly infecting others.

It's on us to report immediately to a hospital if we start to get those symptoms. Even if you think it's just a cold, don't be that person that ignores a potential issue.

Actually this is wrong. You should call and see what they recommend you do. If you show up you can infect others more easily and not only that, the most vulnerable to the disease are at the hospital already. I think that was some of the issue in Wuhan, mass panic at the hospital and more people were infected than necessary. Plus, it lets the healthcare workers protect themselves and we’ll need them to be healthy.

 

[morgan98]

The person in California - they still haven't ruled out that they came in contact with a someone who had traveled recently to affected countries.

It's still the same, we know it can be transmitted person to person. It's just now they don't know what "person" this patient caught it from and that "person" is possibly infecting others.

It's on us to report immediately to a hospital if we start to get those symptoms. Even if you think it's just a cold, don't be that person that ignores a potential issue.

But this is the problem. It presents like flu. I really don't think people are ignoring potential issues on purpose. And I am not sure you should report immediately to a hospital with those symptoms, unless you are really sick. Staying home and calling to avoid spreading is probably most prudent. The world is going to come to a grinding halt if everyone who coughs goes to the hospital worried about Coronavirus.

The thing is, the cat is out of the bag. We know China did not ring the bell about the virus as soon as it should have and people travel everywhere. Until we test someone, we don't know they have it. I just heard on the news that the US has tested less that 1000 TOTAL. We really don't know where it is - could be masking as regular flu.

I am not saying this to start a panic, but rather just the opposite. Many people who have it have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. It is hard to track that. And really none of us know who we come into contact with everyday - in elevators, at the grocery store, at the airport, etc.

 

[quandrea]

We have trips booked for April and June. Waiting...watching. Hope I don’t need to cancel. If covid ends up circulating everywhere—I’m in Canada, being home or being in WDW will be no different.

 

[Farro]

We’re going in May and that’s how I feel. Also, I keep thinking about stuff like Tokyo Disney is still open but there are no character meets. No pics no autographs. They closed ariels grotto

Actually this is wrong. You should call and see what they recommend you do. If you show up you can infect others more easily and not only that, the most vulnerable to the disease are at the hospital already. I think that was some of the issue in Wuhan, mass panic at the hospital and more people were infected than necessary. Plus, it lets the healthcare workers protect themselves and we’ll need them to be healthy.

So if people start to get fevers and trouble breathing, they should stay home and convince themselves it's just a cold? I disagree. That's why I said those symptoms - fever, cough, shortness of breath. I didn't type them out because I didn't think I had to.

 

[Farro]

But this is the problem. It presents like flu. I really don't think people are ignoring potential issues on purpose. And I am not sure you should report immediately to a hospital with those symptoms, unless you are really sick. Staying home and calling to avoid spreading is probably most prudent. The world is going to come to a grinding halt if everyone who coughs goes to the hospital worried about Coronavirus.

The thing is, the cat is out of the bag. We know China did not ring the bell about the virus as soon as it should have and people travel everywhere. Until we test someone, we don't know they have it. I just heard on the news that the US has tested less that 1000 TOTAL. We really don't know where it is - could be masking as regular flu.

I am not saying this to start a panic, but rather just the opposite. Many people who have it have no symptoms or very mild symptoms. It is hard to track that. And really none of us know who we come into contact with everyday - in elevators, at the grocery store, at the airport, etc.

Again, at this time if you have fever, cough, sob - go to the doctor.

I guess you are all assuming because I said hospital I mean the emergency department? I didn't.

 

[Disneylover99]

We’re going in May and that’s how I feel. Also, I keep thinking about stuff like Tokyo Disney is still open but there are no character meets. No pics no autographs. They closed ariels grotto

I think this is what people need to consider for future travelling.

You might not be worried about the virus, but at some point your vacation plans may be impacted to the point that it may not be worth it to travel if there are closures, delays, etc...due to the virus.

 

[mnrose]

I think we are going to discover that there are people who "have" the virus (and spread it) without being symptomatic. In which case, it is absolutely impossible to control the spread of this illness. There's no way to "test" everyone in the US (or any country). And, the idea of "if you have symptoms" show up at a doctor/hospital would be useless. Not to mention, would quickly overwhelm our health care system for people who NEED the hospital. For example, the person in California is on a respirator. That needs a hospital. The current estimate is that the disease creates only "mild" symptoms for 80% of people who get it. It's going to be hard enough to manage the 20% without the 80% panicking and showing up at the doctor's office/hospital for "treatment."

 

[Farro]

Oh my god, forget it!

I just thought it would be common sense if you are having a fever, cough, shortness of breath during the time of a virus outbreak that has those symptoms, you would go get it checked out.

Obviously I'm wrong.

 

[buttersnix]

So if people start to get fevers and trouble breathing, they should stay home and convince themselves it's just a cold? I disagree. That's why I said those symptoms - fever, cough, shortness of breath. I didn't type them out because I didn't think I had to.

you didn’t say those symptoms. You said if you think you have just the cold. A little over 80% of people with this disease do only get mild symptoms and will think they only have a cold or the flu. Obviously if you can’t breathe you should go to the hospital.

 

[Disneylover99]

Seems like the SARS timeline was a month ahead of the Covid-19 timeline. I think one difference is they already have a non-traveler who has contracted it in California. That never happened with SARS.
https://www.cdc.gov/about/history/sars/timeline.htm

I worked in the epicentre of the SARS outbreak in Toronto. Lots of non- travellers contracted SARS and died.

 

[Farro]

Uh no but you said if you have a c


you didn’t say those symptoms. You said if you think you have just the cold. A little over 80% of people with this disease do only get mild symptoms and will think they only have a cold or the flu. Obviously if you can’t breathe you should go to the hospital.

Yes, I've fixed my post as I thought I was clear what I meant by symptoms, which I guess I wasn't.

Have a great day!

 

[Sabeking]

I think it depends on how things go. My husband in on his way to Milan as we speak, he just boarded his flight. I plan to join him on March 13th. For the first 10 or 11 days he will be further South that the heavily impacted areas, but started on Monday the 9th he is supposed to go to an area where cases are reported.

I guess if I were you I would think about the cancellation policies for various aspects of your trip and go from there. For example, while I hope to join him on March 13th, I cancelled our car reservation while I was thinking about it earlier today. I will rebook if we proceed or I will rent a car at our new destination. I think being flexible is key as is evaluating your risk tolerance.

Also, where in Northern Italy are you planning on going. There are towns under complete lockdown. Others are functioning very normally. My mom was born in Italy and we still have relatives. Her hometown is less than an hour from Venice and people are still out and about, restaurants and shops in towns are open, etc.

My daughter is currently in Florence. She said that a few cases showed up in Milan and one in Florence but they have whisked those people off to somewhere else because they really don’t know if they would have the means to quarantine a city that large. In Florence it is business as usual. I am supposed to see her April 3rd. Not sure if I will cancel or not. Delta said I could cancel and pay the change fee and difference in cost to do something else.

Edited to add: Interestingly they were told if you have any symptoms do not go to the hospital! They give you a number to call. I think they don’t want people showing up and contaminating others and the hospital.

 

[NYCgrrl]

My daughter is currently in Florence. She said that a few cases showed up in Milan and one in Florence but they have whisked those people off to somewhere else because they really don’t know if they would have the means to quarantine a city that large. In Florence it is business as usual. I am supposed to see her April 3rd. Not sure if I will cancel or not. Delta said I could cancel and pay the change fee and difference in cost to do something else.

Edited to add: Interestingly they were told if you have any symptoms do not go to the hospital! They give you a number to call. I think they don’t want people showing up and contaminating others and the hospital.

I suspect as time goes on this policy will change to the benefit of the consumer given the current atmosphere. Hope so at least. Italy's PM is very concerned about the economy in the north but is being pressured to change his stance and prioritise health and well being.

 

[Seahorse17]

Family is checking in today for WDW.

 

[DopeyDame]

I’m due to head to northern Italy in late May. I am curious for other opinions.
If this continues or gets worse over there, at what point would you consider changing destinations?

Mid April?

We have a trip to Italy planned for August. Right now obviously we're just holding tight and seeing what plays out. For us, some of our accommodations have 30 day cancellation windows, so I'm thinking we'll make our final decision about 45 days in advance.

 

[L_MD]

I just want to chime in with my anxiety. Going end of April and really hope this thing doesn't get crazy. I can cancel the hotels no problem, my ticket is just an unactivated AP, and Southwest is great about cancelling flights. But I don't want to cancel my Disney trip, dangit! I feel for everyone worrying. Crossed fingers, happy thoughts, all that stuff.

 

[RamblingMad]

Oh my god, forget it!

I just thought it would be common sense if you are having a fever, cough, shortness of breath during the time of a virus outbreak that has those symptoms, you would go get it checked out.

Obviously I'm wrong.

Have you seen heath insurance deductibles? Of course, people are going to wait as long as possible before visiting their doctor.