Swine Flu - General Discussion and how it affects Disney

[ttbell]

Did read your post.


Disagree with both comments, but I'm not here to argue. Posters were commenting about their traveling to DIS, and so am I.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090429/ap_on_he_me/med_swine_flu

I'm not here to argue either. You said you didn't know where I got my information, I just repsonded to you where it came from. And of course, you are welcome to disagree with the World Health Organization.

 

[wall*e2008]

You certainly have to make the decisions that are right for you and your family. I don't expect everyone to agree with me, or with the doctor. However, my opinion is that a doctor who treats people coming in sick from Disney every day of his life may have a slightly better knowledge of possible swine flu infection at Disney than a pediatric surgeon in another state. I would, of course, expect your neighbor to have a better grasp on the situation in your area than this doctor would.

I think a lot of people on this board are hiding their heads in the sand, and acting like Disney won't still be there in a month or so when this thing blows over. But I'll defend to the death their right to their opinion. I won't, however, be accused of fear mongering for sharing information that comes from a reliable source.

I think the CDC is the better person to make recommendation. I will stay away when they tell me to stay away.

 

[JLTraveling]

No fear mongering in this post.


Again what is it you do for a living?!


I am going on with my plans just as they are (WDW or Big Cities).

So absolutely no possibility that the doctor who treats emergency cases from Disney actually knows what's going on at Disney, then? He and I are just crazy fear mongers? Love the self-proclaimed experts here

 

[Brenle]

I'm not here to argue either. You said you didn't know where I got my information, I just repsonded to you where it came from. And of course, you are welcome to disagree with the World Health Organization.

Read my previous link from WHO. And thanks for telling me who I can disagree with.

 

[praline3001]

I agree about the Monday Morning QB thing. I don't think this guy was off-base, though, as I've now done some Googling and the natural selection idea is actually accepted amongst the scientific viral community. Certainly it is not 100% fact as to what is happening here, but it was interesting information nonetheless.

And he could be correct BUT nobody knows as this type of virus has never been seen before.

EXAMPLE~ you find a new species of large bird with feathers. The natural theory would be that the bird flies as it has feathers, correct? Well.... if that bird was an ostrich you would be VERY wrong, kwim?

I want and need FACTS. I want and need real time reports of this flu spreading ... these monday morning QB's are flooding our heads with things that hide the actual FACTS.

I am not saying I am scared because I am not. It is just the flu. BUT what I am SCARED over is the way our world leaders are handling it. Whats that old saying
"If this had been an actual emergency....."

 

[mr.fajita]

I am going to make sure and kiss some pigs before heading to WDW

 

[maroo]

I want and need FACTS. I want and need real time reports of this flu spreading ... these monday morning QB's are flooding our heads with things that hide the actual FACTS.

Did you read the "real time" report from the email quoted above? It seemed to have specifics that made some sense.


I assume the virus can either mutate and get weaker, mutate and get stronger or just stay the way it is. No one really knows. Except the scientists studying it...and they won't even know yet.

 

[tinksgilrs251520]

So I know that everybody is concerned about the recent flu outbreak which there is good reason to be but lets get back to planning our vacations.. As I have read our plans to go to WDW are still on track so lets get some happy thoughts and get back to planning.

So let me start it up agian.........

Is Disney going to do Dinning reservations online and if so what is the website for that I thought I heard a rumor that they were going to do online ADRs online? Also do the park hours usually come out the first on the month or is it more like the 2 or 3 ... Thanks guys

And I hope everyone has a great day

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

this is before my time but this is not the first case of swine flu

http://www.capitalcentury.com/1976.html

Prevention of spread in humans http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swine_influenza

Influenza spreads between humans through coughing or sneezing and people touching something with the virus on it and then touching their own nose or mouth.[27] Swine flu cannot be spread by pork products, since the virus is not transmitted through food.[27] The swine flu in humans is most contagious during the first five days of the illness although some people, most commonly children, can remain contagious for up to ten days. Diagnosis can be made by sending a specimen, collected during the first five days, to the CDC for analysis.[28]

Recommendations to prevent spread of the virus among humans include using standard infection control against influenza. This includes frequent washing of hands with soap and water or with alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after being out in public.[29] Although the current trivalent influenza vaccine is unlikely to provide protection against the new 2009 H1N1 strain,[30] vaccines against the new strain are being developed and could be ready as early as June 2009.[31]

Experts agree that hand-washing can help prevent viral infections, including ordinary influenza and the new swine flu virus. Influenza can spread in coughs or sneezes, but an increasing body of evidence shows little particles of virus can linger on tabletops, telephones and other surfaces and be transferred via the fingers to the mouth, nose or eyes. Alcohol-based gel or foam hand sanitizers work well to destroy viruses and bacteria. Anyone with flu-like symptoms such as a sudden fever, cough or muscle aches should stay away from work or public transportation and should see a doctor to be tested.

Social distancing is another tactic. It means staying away from other people who might be infected and can include avoiding large gatherings, spreading out a little at work, or perhaps staying home and lying low if an infection is spreading in a community.

 

[Dippy the Goof]

So absolutely no possibility that the doctor who treats emergency cases from Disney actually knows what's going on at Disney, then? He and I are just crazy fear mongers? Love the self-proclaimed experts here

Who is the doctor? Why doesn't he go public? He should have evidence to back up his claims. Until I hear a confirmed source, than it can only be taken with a grain of salt. But reporting that "I know a doctor who said..." doesn't cut it.

 

[praline3001]

Something I HAVE been googling and can't seem to find the answer or get to the bottom of my question in a reliable way is Does the state have to pay the CDC for those test to be done? Who pays for it?

That might have a lot with what is happening but I can't find my answers.

If the state indeed pays for the testing (like people do with regular medical labs or insurance) then that might explain one of the reasons some states are holding onto their samples and sending them to the state lab. NYC mayor himself was on TV and stated since they have so many cases they saw no need to send any more samples to the CDC. IF it were FREE for them to do so, what would the difference make? Why would they CHOOSE not to send anymore? Unless their is a financial reason for this ~
Remember the Feds, and the CDC did not say don't send us anymore .. the local leaders are deciding when enough is a enough. I am JUST GUESSING HERE ~ but I am thinking there is money involved somewhere down the line. If that is the case then this needs to change!

Granted this is just the flu BUT had it been something more serious ... could local leaders pull the same stunt on us? At what point does the CDC have total power over pandemics?

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Read my previous link from WHO. And thanks for telling me who I can disagree with.

I think where the confusion comes from is "suspected" versus "confirmed." The media is reporting the 160 "suspected" deaths that the WHO is still investigating, but the actual WHO numbers that they have confirmed is only 7. Certainly that number will go up, but it seems both of you are correct, just looking at the numbers a little differently.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Wow.. I have a suspected case of the piggy flu (samples are on the way to CDC in Georgia) and I don't even have Tamiflu yet. I go to military doctors and they're being stingy about giving them out to dependents. My doc said yesterday that if I was the servicemember showing symptoms they'd give it to me, but since my hubby is the one in the military I can't get it until they confirm my diagnosis. They know I have some form of influenza, just not sure what yet. Bleh.

Please take care and get better! I guess the good news is that you are vertical enough to type us a message on your computer.

If it is a case of the H1N1 2009 Virus (the new name?) then you can let us all know how quickly you recovered. Cheers!

 

[arjones31]

I teach in Alabama. It seems that some cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Huntsville, and as as result, our school system is preparing to cancel school for 7-10 days, which will be made up the week we have reservations at WDW. I am so bummed!! I have been looking forward to this trip all spring.

 

[Brenle]

I think where the confusion comes from is "suspected" versus "confirmed." The media is reporting the 160 "suspected" deaths that the WHO is still investigating, but the actual WHO numbers that they have confirmed is only 7. Certainly that number will go up, but it seems both of you are correct, just looking at the numbers a little differently.

Thanks, Toad, for a fresh look on this. You're probably right. IMO, I think this is more serious than others do - but that's just my opinion and mine alone. And the OP was about traveling in May, which is why I posted in the first place.

 

[DisneyNewbiie]

IM with you Im planning my 1st trip with my family and cant wait.When we first looked into disneyworld I wondered the same thing why cant we do reservations online?you would think its alot easier

 

[Dippy the Goof]

I teach in Alabama. It seems that some cases of swine flu have been confirmed in Huntsville, and as as result, our school system is preparing to cancel school for 7-10 days, which will be made up the week we have reservations at WDW. I am so bummed!! I have been looking forward to this trip all spring.

I'm sorry to hear this.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

Something I HAVE been googling and can't seem to find the answer or get to the bottom of my question in a reliable way is Does the state have to pay the CDC for those test to be done? Who pays for it?

That might have a lot with what is happening but I can't find my answers.

If the state indeed pays for the testing (like people do with regular medical labs or insurance) then that might explain one of the reasons some states are holding onto their samples and sending them to the state lab. NYC mayor himself was on TV and stated since they have so many cases they saw no need to send any more samples to the CDC. IF it were FREE for them to do so, what would the difference make? Why would they CHOOSE not to send anymore? Unless their is a financial reason for this ~
Remember the Feds, and the CDC did not say don't send us anymore .. the local leaders are deciding when enough is a enough. I am JUST GUESSING HERE ~ but I am thinking there is money involved somewhere down the line. If that is the case then this needs to change!

Granted this is just the flu BUT had it been something more serious ... could local leaders pull the same stunt on us? At what point does the CDC have total power over pandemics?

I don't see why that matter's , if someone has the swine flu they have it , if they don't they don't. They might not be sending in the samples because they already know what the strain looks like. Sending in 1000 of the same thing isn't going to change anything. The labs in the city's people are going to can test them them self.

just my option. i really dont think this is that big of a deal, the media always makes things seem worse then they are, The stock market is up again so now they need something new to talk about, you cant stop living your life because of a flu, now it if was a flesh eating virus they id see people being worried but more people die from the regular flu a year then a lot of other things....

 

[d-r]

here is a question for the CDC experts.

For tamiflu to be effective, it must be taken in the first 48 hours.

Let's say that a family is leaving today for a two week visit to walt disney world. They are traveling from another state.

Now, let's say that this family gets flu-like symptoms while at walt disney world.

Which scenario would you prefer, in terms of spreading the flu.

1. The family came to wdw with a prescription for tamiflu from their physician. After a week at walt disney world they family gets flu-like symptoms, they go back to their hotel room and they call walgreens and have the prescription filled and a family member picks it up for them and brings it to their hotel room, where the family stays for the next few days. Remember that there is nothing dangerous about them taking tamiflu - it isn't going to hurt them to take it if they have picked up a stomach bug and do not have the flu. And because it has to be taken in the first 48 hours, it isn't like they are going to wait for test returns to confirm it is the swine flu before taking tamiflu anyway.

2. The family doesn't have a script. After a few days at wdw, the family has flu-like symptoms, but they figure that they aren't going to let anything come in the way of their vist to wdw. They make sure to use disinfect wipes, even though the flu is airborne and they are coughing and sneezing around people in line. Those people in line are breathing in the virus even though they take great care to wash their hands. At the end of the day, the family feels so bad that they need they want to see a physician. They go talk to the bellman and the desk people at the hotel, asking how to get to a doc in the box, spreading the virus. They get into a cab, spreading the virus. They find their way to an emergency room in Florida, and spread the virus. After 4 hours in the emergency room, they get a prescription for tamiflu. They call a cab, and spread the virus on the way to walgreen's to get the prescription filled, where they spread the virus. They have to wait 25 minutes at walgreens for the prescription to be filled, so they take another cab, spreading the virus, back to their resort hotel room.

Now, which of those scenarios would be better for public health? Seriously.

 

[GraceLuvsWDW]

Maroo, I can't answr your questions. I could try to guess but that's what everyone on here is doing irresponsibly. You can't convince everyone. It will just have to play out and we will just have to use our best judgment on how to handle things. All of the naysayers will walk around infecting us all saying it's just the "flu". This scares me more than anything! If the DIS is the judge you can basically say 1 out of every 2 households is going to go on about their business and not take this seriously.

I am in a town that is shut down. This may be your situation in the near future. I am just trying to help. I am staying in completely today. I am not going out to see anyone/do anything at all. I also ordered the supplements mentioned in his email. One thing I want to note is that you should research these supplements before you take them. I found: "When taking N-acetyl cysteine it is recommended that two to three times as much vitamin C be taken at the same time. Those who supplement with NAC should drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily in order to prevent cysteine renal stones. Cysteine renal stones are rare but do occur."

Just want to help. Knowledge is power. Good luck to everyone!