Norwalk season has arrived!

[mcnuss]

We were on the Thanksgiving Magic last year, the one that caused the next sailing to be cancelled. IMHO, the whole thing was so overblown. They told us point blank that the number of people who got sick on the cruise was only slightly greater than the normal number who get sick on any given sailing but with the media breathing down their necks and everyone hypersensitive to it, it became a big you know what deal. I can no longer remember the exact numbers, but I remember thinking that percentage-wise, there were fewer people sick on the ship than at DD's school the week before, and I did not see CNN - or for that matter the CDC - at her school!

We followed all the precautions, and spent loads of time outdoors breathing nice fresh sea air. I don't think we spent 2 daylight hours per day indoors. In the evenings, other than meals & shows, again, we were outside. I think that makes a big difference. Also, we had a verandah, and we aired the room out frequently. Other than gastro upsets caused by lovely rich delicious food and a little bit of seasickness, none of us had a symptom, and never met anyone who did.

Nobody should worry about this.

 

[jwann]

Originally posted by ohiominnie
The cruise lines, of course, could ban anyone from the ships who shows any sort of illness (runny nose, cough, sneezing, low grade temp, etc) but then the ships would be empty.

We just came back from a 3-day and they are practically saying that when you are checking in. If ANYONE in your group has shown ANY sign of contageous disease (not just flu) you are asked to report it. They then say they will work with you to continue your vacation at one of the resorts. Interesting, huh? Can you imagine anyone saying that, "Oh yes, my son has a runny nose." "Thank you Mr. Smith. Please step over here and we can arrange you to have three nights at the All-Star resort and park tickets." Hardly the same.......

 

[epcotfan]

Due the the SARS outbreak of this year I'm sure the cruise line is being extra cautious screening people for signs of illness. You can't fault them for that. They want to make sure everyone on board is healthy and not putting anyone else at risk.

 

[rae519]

And so it begins..............


Schools will get it.
Hospitals will get it.
Nursing Homes will get it.
Churches will get it.
Restaurants will get it.


So deal with it - illness is a fact of life - take precautions and let it go.

Rae

 

[moinab]

mcnuss, you hit the nail on the head. The overblown media obsession with Norwalk was responsible for the cancelled cruise last year. Scrubbing the ship from top to bottom was worthless in preventing the virus, because as soon as the next group of passengers walked on board, it was contaminated again. Unfortunately, with the media whipping everyone into a frenzy, the cruiselines had to make some bold display that they were doing what they could to fight it. The Norwalk virus blew through our community in May, 2002. Everyone I knew came down with it, including myself and DH. You are miserable for a day or two and then you get over it. Somehow, it failed to make the evening news.

A basic, but unpleasant fact is that this virus is spread by fecal contamination. In other words, by people who don't wash their hands properly after going to the bathroom and then touch surfaces like door handles, chair backs, elevator buttons, railings, etc. Then, the next unsuspecting person comes along, touches the contaminated surface, and at some point transfers the virus to his/her mouth. So, it can't be emphasized enough: wash your hands for a full 20 seconds after going to the bathroom, and many times throughout the day, especially before putting your hand anywhere near your mouth.

Let's all stay healthy out there!

 

[LarryC]

Originally posted by moinab
.....Scrubbing the ship from top to bottom was worthless in preventing the virus...............

...........Then, the next unsuspecting person comes along, touches the contaminated surface, and at some point transfers the virus to his/her mouth.........

????? ?????

Wouldn't we all benefit from scrubbing a contaminated surface from top to bottom?

I supposed they should have just left the "contaminated surfaces" alone?

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by LarryC
????? ?????

Wouldn't we all benefit from scrubbing a contaminated surface from top to bottom?

I supposed they should have just left the "contaminated surfaces" alone?

I think what Moinab meant was~ even though the ship was scrubbed & decontaminated... PEOPLE kept bringing the germs on board or reinfected an area that had been cleaned... so it didn't really matter how much they scrubbed.... another person with the germs on their hands would come along and push that elevator button or put their hands on the railing or sneeze on someone and then not wash their hands & face and on and on and on.

 

[AnnMorin]

We were on the cruise (with Lisa) right after it was pulled for disinfection. There were people that got ill on our trip but a MUCH smaller amount. I think it was around 25-50 people versus hundrends the trip before. I don't know if that was because the ship was decontaminated, people were more aware and dillegent with handwashing or a combination of both but I do think at that point something radical had to be done. With so many people ill a major clean up was necessary and it really could not have been properly done in the few hours of turn around time that happens each week.
Now a year later eveyone is very aware of what is necessary to prevent a large outbreak and the steps to take to keep oneself and family healthy. Wash your hands, use sanatizer and for goodness sakes if you are ill please don't board the ship....
RELAX this too shall pass!

 

[Dreamer04]

Last Jan, on the Wonder, I couldn't serve myself at the coffee station and at the buffets. They handed out wipes and alot of info was given on how to avoid infection.

My daughter got sick and the medical staff determined that it was nothing but too many Mickey ice cream deserts!

I know of one woman who was quarantined to her room, so they upgraded her to a verandah and let her order from the dining room menus (although she couldn't eat). Her husband said DCL was doing everything they could.

The Norwalk virus swept through my office last year. We all were infected, and we got over it. I would be more concerned for the young and the elderly. Dehydration can set in fast.

Wash those hands, bring the Purell and Lysol, and have a great cruise!!

 

[Cruise04]

There is so much talk about washing your hands that I want to emphasize - and this is something that smaller kids don't like to do - YOU NEED TO MAKE SURE AND USE WARM WATER, NOT COLD. This was told to me by my doc, warm water helps somehow with the detergents and the cold water can prevent proper disinfecting somehow (don't ask me, just relaying what I was told).

 

[budwmn]

An easy thing to pack to help clean your room are disposable Clorox disinfecting wipes. They come in a soft packet (like purse-size Wet-One packs).

My DS has a weakened immune system and used to ALWAYS get sick when we travelled. I started bringing these wipes on trips and I clean the tray table, arm rests, and seat belts on the plane. When I get to my hotel room or stateroom I clean the door handles, phone, remote controls, and light switches.

Now he rarely gets sick on trips. It may seem extreme, but it does help. Obviously, he could still pick something up in the kid's clubs or in other areas of the ship. We use a lot of Purell and wash our hands as frequently as possible.

Do all you can and then sit back and enjoy the trip!

 

[moinab]

Thanks, Jeanny. That was exactly what I meant, that each new group of passengers brings on a whole new crop of germs to spread around.

Yes, I was exaggerating. Obviously, the thorough scrubbing of the ship helped, and the publicity brought about some positive changes and awareness, but I still contend that the whole thing was ridiculously overblown by the media. JMO, of course.

I wrote my previous post immediately after reading in USA Today about a Carnival cruise that just returned with a bunch of Norwalk-stricken passengers and crew.

Once again, just wash those hands thoroughly and often. (20 seconds of scrubbing with soap and rinsing in the warmest water you can stand, getting under rings and nails, too.)

RELAX this too shall pass!

Best advice on this topic, Ann!

I wish everyone a magical and wonderful cruise!

 

[jrabbit]

When you are wiping down those surfaces in you room, remember the phone - it's a major contaminator. After you have been sick at home, be sure to wipe down your phone - it really helps. If you work in an office - you should wipe down your phone on a regular basis and it really does help keep you from getting sick (and it will cut down the amount of time that you are sick).

Another thing to help keep you healthy on the ship is to keep hydrated. That means drink a lot of: WATER, MILK, LEMONADE NOT Coffee, Tea, Alcholic beverages. Caffene and alchol will dehydrate you.

 

[Lisa F]

Originally posted by Dreamer04
My daughter got sick and the medical staff determined that it was nothing but too many Mickey ice cream deserts!

That's a misdiagnosis if I ever heard one. Everyone knows that there is no such thing as too many Mickey ice cream bars!!! Maybe you should sue for a case of ice cream bars

Lisa

 

[CRB#33]

 

[rae519]

You know there is probably someone out there who has tried to do just that..........

Rae

 

[LAMPSKIES]

jrabbit.......NOT coffee, tea and ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES!!!! I thought alcohol kills germs. LOL

Well not to bring up a SORE past subject but.......I was told the the Magic was not supposed to be dry docked this year........I heard the Rae519 was so sick of hearing me whine and fuss last Jan and Feb on these boards that she requested a dry docking before my replacement Nov. 29 2003 Eastern so it would be virus free......Is that true Rae???? LOL

 

[AnnMorin]

Something I vaguely recall about drinking white wine will help norwalk virus... I drank tons of it and did not get sick.......coinsidence?????????//

 

[Verandah Man]

I drank tons of it and did not get sick

Just had to be carried off the ship though!!! LOL!!!

 

[Jeanny]

Originally posted by AnnMorin
Something I vaguely recall about drinking white wine will help norwalk virus... I drank tons of it and did not get sick.......coinsidence?????????//