Masks no longer required outdoors at WDW

[KrazeeK120]

Your numbers are incorrect. About 67 kids have died from covid in the US (age 0-14). As opposed to about 28000 child deaths overall. That was as of February 2021, so about a year since this all started.

https://www.thelancet.com/action/sh...l=true&tableId=tbl1&pii=S2352-4642(21)00066-3
Usually the number of flu deaths in children is somewhere between 100-200. Then factor in that most of the children who died from Covid had pre-existing conditions. Of course that could also be true with most of the flu fatalities, but the overall impression is that Covid is simply not a huge threat to children, especially compared with everything else in the world.

Over 300 kids have died from COVID, per the AAP.

https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2...hildren-and-covid-19-state-level-data-report/

Also, there are kids older than 14, so I’m not sure why that’s being used as a benchmark.

 

[Elle :)]

I’m so excited masks don’t have to be worn outdoors! It would figure that we just flew home yesterday so we didn’t get to experience the new policy. Kudos to all of you upcoming vacationers. You can finally walk an snack again!!!

Still, we have a trip to Universal in September and I can’t wait! Here’s hoping masks will be completely optional by then.

 

[AndreaA]

Over 300 kids have died from COVID, per the AAP.

https://services.aap.org/en/pages/2...hildren-and-covid-19-state-level-data-report/

Also, there are kids older than 14, so I’m not sure why that’s being used as a benchmark.

No idea why they chose that number, but kids over 12 can now be vaccinated. I couldn’t find any study that only includes those 12 and under, but I am guessing the number is less than 60. We know that kids become more susceptible to severe disease as they reach the teens, especially later teens, but again, those kids can now be vaccinated.

 

[Mango7100]

Your numbers are incorrect. About 67 kids have died from covid in the US (age 0-14). As opposed to about 28000 child deaths overall. That was as of February 2021, so about a year since this all started.

https://www.thelancet.com/action/sh...l=true&tableId=tbl1&pii=S2352-4642(21)00066-3
Usually the number of flu deaths in children is somewhere between 100-200. Then factor in that most of the children who died from Covid had pre-existing conditions. Of course that could also be true with most of the flu fatalities, but the overall impression is that Covid is simply not a huge threat to children, especially compared with everything else in the world.

The article you referenced listed 67 deaths in 0-4 and 67 in 5-14 year olds, so your total is incorrect. My previously quoted pediatric fatality was from AAP. Another AAP referenced 172 deaths by Dec 17.

Im not arguing that either is a common occurrence, both are rare. But for you to consistently say the common flu is much more of a threat to kids is simply inaccurate. Pediatric flu deaths also count teenagers, so you cannot use those to count as flu deaths but then dismiss them in COViD cases.

 

[jordan13402]

Take your kids dying from covid discussion elsewhere. I didn’t start this thread for you to bum us all out

 

[luv2cheer92]

Your numbers are incorrect. About 67 kids have died from covid in the US (age 0-14). As opposed to about 28000 child deaths overall. That was as of February 2021, so about a year since this all started.

https://www.thelancet.com/action/sh...l=true&tableId=tbl1&pii=S2352-4642(21)00066-3
Usually the number of flu deaths in children is somewhere between 100-200. Then factor in that most of the children who died from Covid had pre-existing conditions. Of course that could also be true with most of the flu fatalities, but the overall impression is that Covid is simply not a huge threat to children, especially compared with everything else in the world.

So are you saying that "kids" are only 0-4 or are they only 5-14? Because otherwise that chart is saying that there have been 134 for 0-14.

 

[AndreaA]

So are you saying that "kids" are only 0-4 or are they only 5-14? Because otherwise that chart is saying that there have been 134 for 0-14.

I believe they hadn’t sorted between the two and that 67 is the total. I mean consider that having 67 for each would be awfully strange. In any event, the number was very low, given the high number of cases and the high numbers of fatalities for other things. The 2019 flu mortality was 192 but they estimate that it was grossly underreported and likely to be closer to 600. I don’t think any child cases of covid have been underreported, specifically because they are rare.

I’m not going to continue this argument. The chances of mortality for a kid with covid are low, low, low no matter how you slice it.

 

[yorkieteacher]

I for one can't wait until everyone is arguing again about the merits of the dining plan and fast passes-for all the back and forth on masks and Covid statistics on these boards for 14 months, Disney does what Disney thinks is best and none of this changes that one whit. We can go or not go based on our personal comfort level, same as when they opened in July.

 

[Dentam]

That has nothing to do with what I was talking about. I would also say that I cannot ever remember, in my entire life, being out and about and seeing someone else that made me think “wow, that person looks sick.” Now if people want to wear masks to avoid colds, flu, etc., that makes sense to me - my husband and I were pleased with the lack of random illness this past year. Of course I was also homeschooling, and most of our sickness comes from kids bringing it home, not us catching it when out in the grocery store - because catching something - anything! - from a random passerby is extremely unlikely.

Wow, you've been lucky then. I used to get sick every time I went to Disney. And every winter being cooped up in the office with my coworkers, one of whom regularly came in sick, fever and all. I definitely agree with the person who said that I hope we can learn from this to be more considerate of others and wear a mask or stay home when we are sick!

 

[CatNipRules]

I’m aware. That’s my point. I’m saying it was just as unhelpful when it was done to others.

I've always told people to do what makes them comfortable. If they wanna wear a mask fine. No one should villify someone whether they choose to or not.

I have my own personal reasons why I find it hard to wear masks for extended periods of time, but I'm certainly not going to judge someone that feels the same or different. I always say you do you....

 

[CatNipRules]

Wow, you've been lucky then. I used to get sick every time I went to Disney. And every winter being cooped up in the office with my coworkers, one of whom regularly came in sick, fever and all. I definitely agree with the person who said that I hope we can learn from this to be more considerate of others and wear a mask or stay home when we are sick!

This!! 100 times this. Every time I went to Disney I got sick before this. I started wearing a mask on the plane(before it was cool..LOL!) I have handwipes and hand sanitizer in my park bags, because if I can't get to a sink to wash my hands that's the next best thing. All of this was precovid and I still got sick somehow....I went o Disney this past August and it was the first time I came home and didn't get the dreaded Disney sickness....

 

[AndreaA]

Wow, you've been lucky then. I used to get sick every time I went to Disney. And every winter being cooped up in the office with my coworkers, one of whom regularly came in sick, fever and all. I definitely agree with the person who said that I hope we can learn from this to be more considerate of others and wear a mask or stay home when we are sick!

Yup, never been sick on vacation except my honeymoon - got food poisoning on the train from Williamsburg to Washington DC. Worked in an office (finance company but I worked in tech, programming the H&W system) for almost 15yrs and aside from a minor cold no one came in sick. Admittedly we had good sick leave (basically unlimited) and the ability to work from home even way back then (I’ve been a SAHM aside from jobs in my kids’ school since they were babies) so that probably helped. I would hope that yes, those who can’t afford to stay home will wear masks in the future.

I mentioned in another thread I think, that I was raised by a complete clean freak - you could still eat off her garage floor and she’s in her 70s. We went to school with “wash n dry” wipes in our lunchboxes in the 70s (yes we were mocked) and so the whole personal hygiene thing has ALWAYS been in effect in my life. I’ve carried Purell for years.

 

[Dentam]

Yup, never been sick on vacation except my honeymoon - got food poisoning on the train from Williamsburg to Washington DC. Worked in an office (finance company but I worked in tech, programming the H&W system) for almost 15yrs and aside from a minor cold no one came in sick. Admittedly we had good sick leave (basically unlimited) and the ability to work from home even way back then (I’ve been a SAHM aside from jobs in my kids’ school since they were babies) so that probably helped. I would hope that yes, those who can’t afford to stay home will wear masks in the future.

I mentioned in another thread I think, that I was raised by a complete clean freak - you could still eat off her garage floor and she’s in her 70s. We went to school with “wash n dry” wipes in our lunchboxes in the 70s (yes we were mocked) and so the whole personal hygiene thing has ALWAYS been in effect in my life. I’ve carried Purell for years.

Ironically enough, the coworker of mine who always came in sick and infected me and others was maxed out on sick time as in she couldn't accumulate more. I asked her why she didn't stay home once and she said she would be bored. Sigh.

I was raised by a clean freak as well and have also carried disinfecting wipes in my car and purse for years prior to the pandemic. Also been cutting my own hair for years and have avoided crowds other than Disney so in many ways I feel like I've been preparing for a global pandemic my entire life. lol

 

[jordan13402]

Jesus people…enough

 

[jordan13402]

Bunch of Dr. Fauci’s all up in here

 

[DCLMP]

I for one can't wait until everyone is arguing again about the merits of the dining plan and fast passes-for all the back and forth on masks and Covid statistics on these boards for 14 months, Disney does what Disney thinks is best and none of this changes that one whit. We can go or not go based on our personal comfort level, same as when they opened in July.

Let's hope they bring back dining plans and fast passes so we have something to argue about.

 

[jordan13402]

Let's hope they bring back dining plans and fast passes so we have something to argue about.

Now that’s important stuff to argue about

 

[TLSnell1981]

Let's hope they bring back dining plans and fast passes so we have something to argue about.

AND the EPCOT monorail... night time extra hours too.

 

[lilypgirl]

This is awesome news!!Thank you Disney for following the science !!

 

[OhBother1984]

This is an intermediate step. It may not be the one some of the more dedicated maskers want, but there are quite a few measures still in place. Disney still has enhanced cleaning measures, social distancing requirements, and even mask requirements. Two of the three have been reduced, but it is hard to believe that anybody did not think that this would happen, especially with the vaccine having been distributed for nearly 6 months.

I expect that more of the Covid mandates will be lifted at the beginning or middle of June, so anybody who would be uncomfortable with OTHERS not wearing masks indoors, or within 3 feet of of you or your family, probably should consider not visiting Disney until they are comfortable with returning to normal life.

Honestly, I’d be fine if ALL Covid mandates disappeared tomorrow (well, I’d probably like it if Disney kept some of the enhanced cleaning measures - not for Covid reasons, though).

I am with you. I would easily be there tomorrow if all restrictions were gone. I also do think most will be gone very very soon. My vote is by july 4th ish at the latest but most likely sooner.

I think we are now in the booking pattern of might be better to wait if you don't want anything looser, vs before when it was don't book if you don't want to wear a mask.

I just don’t get why ppl can’t get this!! I have a child that is too young to be vaccinated. He has been in school all year...no outbreaks. I work for a very large school district different from where my son attends school. We have also been in school all year...no outbreaks. It really is a non issue.

This, under 12 really is a non issue except for the few that have serious underlying medical problems but those aren't planning to go to theme parks anytime soon anyway. And the best part is people can choose what they are comfortable doing.

In addition, every COVID infection is a chance for a mutation, even if the host doesn’t become very ill. So far, it seems like the vaccines are holding against the variants, but we have no idea whether or not that will always be the case. We should be trying to prevent as much infection as possible for this reason.

Mutations don't instantly mean a bad thing, scientifically speaking they tend to be a good thing for us since in time viruses usually mutate to being weaker because its not to their advantage to kill the host. Plus most mutations are meaningless.