Immunocompromised

[Madteaparty001]

Even shipped by Amazon can be dicey if they are "sold by" a third party. "Sold and shipped by Amazon" should be safe if the product is a known brand name.

However, both Home Depot and Lowes are again selling 3M N95 masks through their website and in (some) stores. They are authorized 3M retailers. Costco in Canada has 3M N95 as well, but I couldn't find them on the Costco USA website - you might want to check in their stores though.

For anyone looking for quality surgical masks, Armbrust USA is a Texas-based manufacturer of high quality US-made surgical masks (ASTM Level 3 Certification). They sell them through their website and have been in the media quite a bit in recent months - they have links on their website to quite a few of the articles/reports.

Also if you know anyone in the automotive or painting industry they usually have suppliers as well. Sometimes auto parts and paint stores will sell them.

 

[Randy Miller]

On of my little foster dudes has multiple medical complexities, one of them is Neutropenia. When he is “Neutropenic” ( low Neutrophils in his white blood cells) he is immunocompromised and at risk for anything and everything. We have to follow what the docs call “Neutropenic Protocol” which essentially means, stay home, wear masks at home, report any fever above 100.4 to hematologist and be prepared to go straight to the ED. I know during Covid (early stages) we were told to follow that exact protocol. I ended up getting Covid and did pass it on to the whole household, including both boys. Surprisingly, it caused mild runny noses, sneezing and just extra crankiness in both of them. I had the team test for his antibodies at last neutrophil blood draw. He had them, so I breathed a sigh of relief that we safely made it through the disease and at least have a bit of protection against it ( I know that this is nothing a popular idea but his team and my personal doctors do agree with this fact) You might want to see if your doctors would consider testing his antibodies, just to see if there is any level of protection there, but that is obviously your call and comfort level.
All that being said, Disney World is one of the “Germiest” places on earth! I know you don’t want to, but if he is that immunocompromised you really shouldn’t go right now. You are going to have people that have not been immunized not wearing masks and lots of kids that won’t be wearing masks. ( “science” says they are carriers) ( and please, I’m not making a “commentary on these things....I’m just stating the facts of looking at the world via immunicompromised lenses) Even in an Uber or a Minnie Van there are going to be germs, waiting in line to get in....everywhere. Previous to Covid people were constantly getting the “Disney Flu”. I honestly do not think a DAS will help you especially as just to request one you are entering a building that will have a lot of people in it.
You can always request one! Just be prepared, as other say, to explain why he cannot wait in line, not what his “diagnosis” is. ( They do not grant DAS passes based on diagnosis). Take your gloves, your medical face masks, gloves, travel Lysol spray and whatever else your medical team recommends, but definitely have a “back up” plan if the DAS is not granted. Stay safe and healthy! Disney World will always be there when you are safe enough to visit!

 

[Madteaparty001]

Agreed, there are varying levels of immunocompromised from susceptible to needs a bubble. DD seems to come down with something as soon as we get to the hotel from the airport but we can mitigate the symptoms of a regular cold (unhappily but functioning). Covid on the other hand we were told would probably mean she gets put on a respirator because she already has swelling in her throat (which is why we won't be going until under 12 is approved for the vaccine). Talk to his doctors and be realistic about whether a vacation to a crowded international destination is in the cards right now.

 

[Jmljasmine]

Those may or may not be real N95 masks. Amazon has a problem with bogus N95 masks.

They were 3M and confirmed real.

 

[Evita_W]

Agreed, there are varying levels of immunocompromised from susceptible to needs a bubble. DD seems to come down with something as soon as we get to the hotel from the airport but we can mitigate the symptoms of a regular cold (unhappily but functioning). Covid on the other hand we were told would probably mean she gets put on a respirator because she already has swelling in her throat (which is why we won't be going until under 12 is approved for the vaccine). Talk to his doctors and be realistic about whether a vacation to a crowded international destination is in the cards right now.

Well, right now, it is a crowded national, not international destination as there is very little international travel allowed at the moment. I only mention that, as it may be a factor for some and best to have all the information.

 

[lanejudy]

Hey folks! You may have seen mention on other boards recently a new DISBoards rule about COVID-related discussions (see below). I realize immunocompromised is a concern for many even unrelated to COVID. I want this thread to remain open, but please avoid discussion about COVID treatments, vaccinations, science or anything leading to debate. Thanks for your understanding!


*************************

Policy on COVID discussions

The global COVID pandemic created unprecedented restrictions, disruptions and changes to our travel, work, shopping, schooling, social interactions and so many other aspects of our lives since the beginning of 2020. We’ve all been affected, and we have been inundated with news, information, mis-information, frustrations and opinions. We’ve heard them, we’ve shared them, we’ve argued about them.

The discussions, debates and arguments about the virus, distancing and masking policies, various politicians’ statements and actions have been overwhelming and divisive. Many threads on the DISboards have been derailed or devolved into arguments due to this topic. We understand the passion, but feel that we’ve let the discussions run their course. We are sure there are better places on the WWW to learn about and debate scientific, medical and political issues. The mission of the DISboards is to be a great travel resource and a friendly community.

Now that travel is opening up again, it’s time to refocus on that mission!

From this point on, we will welcome information on COVID policies RELATED TO TRAVEL. Things like the vaccination policies issued by venues or destinations, the cleaning or distancing procedures in use, practical tips for travelers or things they might need to know that are different from location to location are all valid topics. Any official policies issued by Disney, other travel destinations, cruise lines, airlines, etc. regarding requirements for visiting parks or cruising can be shared. This information needs to be on-topic for the specific forum and thread where posted.

We will NOT welcome debate or opinion about medical, scientific, or political aspects of the pandemic. There are a few often repeated trigger items that won’t be allowed: No statistics about infection rates, no ranting about individual rights, no “face-diaper” comments, no debate about whether vaccinations or masking are effective, no discussions about which governor or politician or news personality did or said what.

In summary: COVID related discussion should be limited to actual policy and practical application, and NOT veer into opinion or debate.

We understand that you may be passionate in your opinions on this topic and want to discuss or debate them, and appreciate your understanding that there are more appropriate places than the DISboards to do that.

Thank you,
DISboards Administrators

 

[ttintagel]

As someone with immunity issues who has gotten sick on most major trips, I intend to keep wearing masks, frequently sanitizing/washing hands, and wiping any suspect surfaces down long after it stops being common. I didn’t catch a single virus last winter for the first time in years.

 

[plonett]

Hello all,

Long time poster (old account hacked, so new log in) with a DAS question. DH is a transplant recipient and is on a cocktail of drugs that suppress his immune system. Pre-Covid, he always managed to get sick from our WDW trips. To protect himself, he always wore masks in the airports, on the planes, and in elevators, but there's always lots of coughing and sneezing going on in the parks.

Now we're planning a trip in December. DH has been vaccinated for Covid, but the drugs he takes means the vaccine will have little effectiveness, if any. Given their earlier messaging, I figured Disney would still be requiring masks to some degree through the end of year, but I now doubt that will be the case. Obviously, DH will try and help himself by wearing a mask at all times.

So after all that, my question is do you all think he would benefit from a DAS to keep him out of crowded situations as much as possible? Would he even qualify? If FP+ is back, we will utilize that as much as possible and we will pay for Disney After Dark events, if they're available. A couple of years ago, coming home with a cold was one thing, but now the stakes are much higher.

Can I ask if he attempted getting DAS please @OldDisneyFan, and if he was successful?

 

[OldDisneyFan]

He did not ask about DAS. We bought Genie+ every day instead and only went on rides that we could book.

 

[Wells Larsen]

He did not ask about DAS. We bought Genie+ every day instead and only went on rides that we could book.

My wife and I will be going next December.
I was transplanted just over a year ago, and my white blood cell count has just gotten into acceptable range (about that of a cancer patient on chemo is what my hematologist tells me).
I am going to take all precautions (as much as possible) to avoid being in situations where I cannot distance myself from people when I need, including ILL, Genie+, VIP Tour, and I'll attempt to get DAS. We'll be going for 12 days, so I'm hoping that's enough time to go slow and hit the eject button back to the resort if crowds are too heavy on any particular day.

 

[OldDisneyFan]

If it’s any comfort, we were there 19 days and managed to avoid catching anything. Our entire group, including the grandkids, wore KN95 masks anytime we were not distanced and outdoors. We did not do any indoor dining, except once when we were able to be in a corner by ourselves.

We also tried to distance ourselves while traveling. We flew first class—sat in bulkhead, and rented a car.

There were a lot of coughing, sneezing people in the parks and on our flight out of Orlando.