Swine Flu - General Discussion and how it affects Disney

[CTH3]

We leave (COUGH!) on Mon...(COUGH-COUGH!)...Monday for week at WDW, and we'll just (AH-CHOO!)...take the (sniff) precautions reco...(COUGH!)...mmended by the CD (sniff) C. See you all in the (COUGH!) parks!


It's a JOKE. A joke. Just a joke. (We do leave Monday, but we're fit as the proverbial fiddles.)

They need to add to the monorail announcement: "Please wash your hands and do not touch your nose or mouth. Por favor, lávese las manos y no toque la nariz o la boca."

 

[Bagheera23608]

I'm surprised this board is getting as many hits as it has....but I don't know why I am surprised.

Two things to keep in mind:
1. The national media NEEDS to keep you worried. They are going to make it look bad with out actually causing a panic. If you're scared, you're going to watch the news.

2. The regular, old, run of the mill flu that comes around every year is much MUCH deadlier than this flu. No one panics over the flu every year, do they?

Yes there are things we don't know about this one. But just follow common sense and you should be fine.

 

[livie1205]

We leave (COUGH!) on Mon...(COUGH-COUGH!)...Monday for week at WDW, and we'll just (AH-CHOO!)...take the (sniff) precautions reco...(COUGH!)...mmended by the CD (sniff) C. See you all in the (COUGH!) parks!


It's a JOKE. A joke. Just a joke. (We do leave Monday, but we're fit as the proverbial fiddles.)

They need to add to the monorail announcement: "Please wash your hands and do not touch your nose or mouth. Por favor, lávese las manos y no toque la nariz o la boca."

I do know that if we go we will NOT be going on a monorail or bus....lol

 

[avahoneybee]

It looks like a lot of people are still going because only Grand Floridian and All Star Sports has availability next week!

I did notice on cnn.com that the swine flu has taken a back seat to other things now so hopefully this is all good news.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

Just a question. Does anyone know how long these viruses can survive out of a host? We received shipments at our office today that came from areas that are experiencing the virus, and while we just opened them up anyway, we were wondering if it could spread by surviving 4-5 days in a shipping container?

 

[Karibeth19]

I'm going!! I'll tour the parks in a biohazard suit if I have to, but I'm going!!!!

Seriously, I really don't see any reason to cancel right now. If things change I will consider it, but for now I'll just make sure my family takes the proper precautions, such as hand washing and avoid touching our faces. For our trip, I will probably bring more Purell and Clorox wipes, which I usually don't worry about (I'm not much of a germaphobe.).

 

[avahoneybee]

3 deaths ON Disney property in the last month alone due to vehicle accidents.
I'll take my chances on the flu and just keep washing our hands.

Notice my ticker!!

That's horrible.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I do know that if we go we will NOT be going on a monorail or bus....lol

I wouldn't worry about that. Think about how close you are on some of the rides.

The real truth is that you will probably be close to people who have other things that CAN infect you, rather than this virus.

 

[doho95fu]

Just a question. Does anyone know how long these viruses can survive out of a host? We received shipments at our office today that came from areas that are experiencing the virus, and while we just opened them up anyway, we were wondering if it could spread by surviving 4-5 days in a shipping container?

General view is that the flu virus could possibly live up to 48 hours depending on the type surface it rests on.

 

[Toad_Passenger]

General view is that the flu virus could possibly live up to 48 hours depending on the type surface it rests on.

Yeah, we figured that 4/5 days bouncing around in various airplanes and UPS trucks would probably be less than ideal for survival.

 

[Dippy the Goof]

We leave tomorrow and while we clearly aren't canceling, I'm planning on being a little more vigilant than normal. We already got a script for tamiflu for each family member so if heaven forbid someone gets sick, we can avoid a hospital trip. We've had Noro from Disney and realize that germs/viruses are everywhere all the time, but this is serious.

I know some people are insisting that the media is sensationalizing this, while that is the case to an extent, I also think there is a fair amount of under reporting of undiagnosed cases.

How do you get a prescription for Tamiflu when you don't even have the virus yet. I think this is irresponsible on Doctors. I've already read that there are regional shortages because people are stockpiling. I see that you just have the scrip, but what if you actually fill it. That could prevent someone who actually has the flu from getting the medicine. Tamiflu is something that has to be used quickly in order to be effective. People don't have the luxury of waiting a day or so for this prescription to come in. I'm just venting, but I feel this is very, very bad in doctors doing this.

 

[lucyanna girl]

We are going! I am sooo ready for this trip and if the gates aren't locked at WDW, I'm going. The only thing I'm worried a little about is the possibility of school closings.

I have a daughter who is a junior in high school. She is ranked number three in her class academically. Her friend who is going with us is tied for number one. They both have all A's for the year. So far, Louisiana has not had any reported cases that I know of but I hear of schools closing in other states. Here, if kids miss more than the alloted days because of weather, school closing for illness, etc. they make it up by going extra days at the end of the school year. We are renting a house in Orlando for 4 weeks. It is paid in full and can't be canceled. We are set to arrive the day after school is scheduled to close for the year. If they close schools here for flu and plan to make up the days at the end we are going to have a problem.These kids have the grades to just miss and still pass with flying colors but not to keep their class standings which are very important with graduation and scholarships coming up next year.

The only two possible solutions would be to either go late and miss out on part of a great (and paid for) trip or to go to the school board and ask for an exception to be made. I hope that I am worrying about something that never happens.

Penny

 

[gretchenohar@hotmail]

Just a question. Does anyone know how long these viruses can survive out of a host? We received shipments at our office today that came from areas that are experiencing the virus, and while we just opened them up anyway, we were wondering if it could spread by surviving 4-5 days in a shipping container?

The flu virus can survive on an inanimate object anywhere from a few seconds up to 48 hours..... You're safe!

 

[Ariel Wanna-be]

We already got a script for tamiflu for each family member so if heaven forbid someone gets sick, we can avoid a hospital trip.

I thought you had to actually have the flu to get a Rx for Tamiflu. No?

 

[Finally08]

How do you get a prescription for Tamiflu when you don't even have the virus yet. I think this is irresponsible on Doctors. I've already read that there are regional shortages because people are stockpiling. I see that you just have the scrip, but what if you actually fill it. That could prevent someone who actually has the flu from getting the medicine. Tamiflu is something that has to be used quickly in order to be effective. People don't have the luxury of waiting a day or so for this prescription to come in. I'm just venting, but I feel this is very, very bad in doctors doing this.

I don't think having a prescription is the same as stock piling..you wouldn't get the meds unless it because apparent that you needed it (or I wouldn't). I actually wish we were armed with prescrips already because dh has a weakened immune system from chemo, and dd is easily prone to respiratory infections (pneumonia, likely will have asthma).

When we went to WDW last year and cruised, the last night on the boat dh started to feel VERY ill. Of course were were all in the car the entire next day driving home so within 2 days we all had it...and it was the flu.

 

[sammielynn]

I dearly love Disney, but I will cancel if this gets worse. This virus may mutate and could become a real killer. Please don't say cancel is not in your voculabary. A week at Disney is the best, staying alive is better. We do not leave until May 23, I'm in wait and see mode. If my family might be in danger we will stay home. I know we all get tired of the news heads crying wolf, but we do need to keep a watchful eye and take action if necessary.
I saw one brain trust on CNN last night saying he could come and go to Mexico as often as he wanted and no one could stop him. Sort of made me wish his family would all catch the flu from him. Sometimes we just can't do everything we want.

 

[Dippy the Goof]

I don't think having a prescription is the same as stock piling..you wouldn't get the meds unless it because apparent that you needed it (or I wouldn't). I actually wish we were armed with prescrips already because dh has a weakened immune system from chemo, and dd is easily prone to respiratory infections (pneumonia, likely will have asthma).

When we went to WDW last year and cruised, the last night on the boat dh started to feel VERY ill. Of course were were all in the car the entire next day driving home so within 2 days we all had it...and it was the flu.

I understand that having a prescription isn't the same as stockpiling. However, this is what is happening. Doctors write prescriptions for "just in case". People go out and fill the prescription and keep it in case they need it. It is irresponsible and unethical for a doctor to write a prescription for something that you don't need. If you get the symptoms, then go to the doctor.

 

[Hoppypooh]

I have a daughter who is a junior in high school. She is ranked number three in her class academically. Her friend who is going with us is tied for number one. They both have all A's for the year. So far, Louisiana has not had any reported cases that I know of but I hear of schools closing in other states. Here, if kids miss more than the alloted days because of weather, school closing for illness, etc. they make it up by going extra days at the end of the school year. We are renting a house in Orlando for 4 weeks. It is paid in full and can't be canceled. We are set to arrive the day after school is scheduled to close for the year. If they close schools here for flu and plan to make up the days at the end we are going to have a problem.These kids have the grades to just miss and still pass with flying colors but not to keep their class standings which are very important with graduation and scholarships coming up next year.

The only two possible solutions would be to either go late and miss out on part of a great (and paid for) trip or to go to the school board and ask for an exception to be made. I hope that I am worrying about something that never happens.

Penny

If your daughter is a junior and top of her class to boot, could she not stay wither her friend for the extra days of school while you go on to Disney. Then they could come together later (flying, driving, train whatever.) If you're going for 4 weeks, I can't imagine they'd miss the whole trip... only a few days.

 

[Crisgw]

I saw one brain trust on CNN last night saying he could come and go to Mexico as often as he wanted and no one could stop him. Sort of made me wish his family would all catch the flu from him. Sometimes we just can't do everything we want.

Slightly harsh don't you think?

 

[Toad_Passenger]

I dearly love Disney, but I will cancel if this gets worse. This virus may mutate and could become a real killer. Please don't say cancel is not in your voculabary. A week at Disney is the best, staying alive is better. We do not leave until May 23, I'm in wait and see mode. If my family might be in danger we will stay home. I know we all get tired of the news heads crying wolf, but we do need to keep a watchful eye and take action if necessary.
I saw one brain trust on CNN last night saying he could come and go to Mexico as often as he wanted and no one could stop him. Sort of made me wish his family would all catch the flu from him. Sometimes we just can't do everything we want.

However you also cannot live your entire life zipped up inside a cocoon. For some people the trip to WDW they've been planning for a year is a once in a lifetime opportunity. If they themselves are not ill and won't be affecting other people, there is no reason they should not go on their trip and have a wonderful time!

If this truly becomes something VERY serious then most public areas will be closed anyway. So long as the CDC is just offering words of precaution, and not closing things down, then I'd say it's safe to go.