Swine Flu - General Discussion and how it affects Disney

[my2disneyboys]

Thank you for sharing your experience. I did call my Dr. today and asked if we should go or not. I work in Boston. I take public transportation into the big city every day - she agreed that my chances are just as great getting this at home as they are in Disney and to bring purell and wash our hands often. She told me not to worry- to go and have a wonderful vacation and that is what I am going to do!
Maybe more people will decide not to go and the 8 crowd levels will drop to a 4!!

 

[jasperess]

I will also not be cancelling, at least not yet, and I leave in 3 days. I am hoping I don't get stuck in Florida, however,

Nonetheless, I'm surrounded by it here in San Diego, and so close to the border, so why not go?

 

[Tiffany_PartyOf7]

I mean I have to agree.... should everyone living in NYC go hide in their apartments and not go to work or school? Its a big city. I can understand why someone with a compromised immune system or someone with other medical conditions would want to stay away from public places. But, a healthy person isn't really putting themselves at much of a risk (at least not any bigger risk than any other day at Disney.) People walk around with the "regular" flu at Disney daily I'm sure. What makes the swine flu any worse?

 

[CanadianImagineer]

So long as the Canada - U.S. border remains open, we'll be heading out in 2 weeks

 

[kadesha]

I mean I have to agree.... should everyone living in NYC go hide in their apartments and not go to work or school? Its a big city. I can understand why someone with a compromised immune system or someone with other medical conditions would want to stay away from public places. But, a healthy person isn't really putting themselves at much of a risk (at least not any bigger risk than any other day at Disney.) People walk around with the "regular" flu at Disney daily I'm sure. What makes the swine flu any worse?

Cytokine storm, which is why healthy, young/middle-aged adults with good immune systems are most at risk.

I don't know for sure if it was confirmed that this was taking place, but I know that they think it's a factor with many of the flu cases in Mexico.

 

[Montclairmom]

I think that people who live locally and can easily reschedule their trip will do so. I'm sure that a lot of annual pass people who might otherwise come to the park will make the decision to stay away - their view will be well, we can go next month when this all blows over.

But those of us who have planned the trip for a long time and are traveling a good distance are going to go, come flu or high water.

 

[CathrynRose]

Isn't Disney ALWAYS a cesspool of germs though? LOL

Yes.

Fear mongering is total BS and it's hardly feasible for people to live their lives in bubbles, especially those of us living in big cities, work in school, etc... total BS.

I have to agree. You have as much chance of getting Pig Flu at WDW, as you do going to your local grocery store.

Be smart, wash your hands - all that stuff - but don't put your life on hold IN CASE something happens. Not to mention - it's currently *just* the flu. It just happens to be a strain we don't have a vaccine for. Which - BTW - I never get a flu shot - ever. I'm still alive *knock on wood*

 

[mandi5379]

Leaving Sunday, not cancelling. Of course, I think everyone else should...more room for me.

 

[ilovecoasters]

No trips over to the parks until this clears up. The weather this week has been so perfect too!

 

[jb01]

Yes.



I have to agree. You have as much chance of getting Pig Flu at WDW, as you do going to your local grocery store.

I do not agree with that since there are not as many people at your local grocer as there are at WDW. However you can pick it up anywhere if you come into contact with someone who is infected.

 

[hulagirl87]

Isn't any crowded area pretty much a cesspool of germs? I'm not so concerned. When we went to Disney last January, even though I used purell every day (several times a day-yeah, I'm a germaphobe) I got the worst flu I have ever had in my life. Thank goodness it started on our last day, but man, when we got home I couldn't even move! You do what you can to protect yourself, but I'm not about to cancel the trip that I have been planning and looking forward to for months for the offchance that I might get sick.

 

[sammielynn]

I agree with the OP. I love my Disney, but I love my family more. We don't leave until May 23 so I do have some time to see how it plays out. I do not want to be 650 miles away from home and have one of my family members come down with this virus. Yes, I will lose some money if we cancel but I really don't care. I also was flamed slightly in another thread because I suggested that it was better not to go than take a risk.
We live in a small town and the only transportation in town is what you provide. We don't have masses of people anywhere so our thought process is different. Disney is not going anywhere.

 

[JLTraveling]

I asked the doctor specifically about things like grocery shopping and so forth. Since we live so close, are we really taking much more of a risk actually being inside the parks? His answer made a lot of sense: On any given day, your potential exposure is relatively limited (obviously those who work in hospitals and such have a much greater day to day risk). How long are you in Target? How long are you on public transportation? By contrast, at Disney you are immersed in a large group of people virtually 24/7. You're not leaving the property. Neither is anyone else. Every single thing you touch has been handled over and over and over again by thousands of people. It's not quite the same as a cruise ship, since not everyone comes and goes on the same day, but it's the same sort of effect. Your exposure is constant and unremitting, thereby exponentially increasing your risk.

Nonetheless, this remains solely information conveyed by a local doctor. To those of you who are going this month, I wish you all the health and happiness. I just want to be sure that I clearly convey all of the information as it was presented to me.

 

[LadyZolt]

Cytokine storm, which is why healthy, middle-aged people with good immune systems are most at risk.

This is not correct. Healthy, middle-aged people with good immune systems are *least* at risk because our (I'm middle-aged) immune systems are experienced enough to fight off infections. It is *young adults* (between around 15 and 35) who are most at risk of cytokine storm, like in the 1918 Influenza pandemic. My DH (an Emergency Room RN) and I were just talking about this today, so I am certain of what I'm saying.

That said, I am going to Disney World on Saturday, but I think those at risk due to their physical conditions (immune system problems or other significant health issues), or those very old or those very young might be wise to consider postponing just to be on the safe side.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

 

[kadesha]

This is not correct. Healthy, middle-aged people with good immune systems are *least* at risk because our (I'm middle-aged) immune systems are experienced enough to fight off infections. It is *young adults* (between around 15 and 35) who are most at risk of cytokine storm, like in the 1918 Influenza pandemic. My DH (an Emergency Room RN) and I were just talking about this today, so I am certain of what I'm saying.

That said, I am going to Disney World on Saturday, but I think those at risk due to their physical conditions (immune system problems or other significant health issues), or those very old or those very young might be wise to consider postponing just to be on the safe side.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

ok, thank you for the correction. I just know that it is the group of people who are usually least likely to be affected that could be the most affected now. Whew...confusing! lol!

I corrected that post.

 

[BigGreen73]

I'm not canceling. I'll just dress for the occasion. Now where did I put my duct tape?

 

[roselark]

Hey, the more people who cancel their trips means less busy parks while I am there!!

 

[C.Ann]

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 am respectfully asking how many of the people he has treated "coming in from Disney" have been confirmed cases of swine flu? There are always viruses in Disney - so unless he is speaking of confirmed cases of swine flu that he has personally treated, his "opinion" could create major financial hardships for a country that is already suffering from terrible financial woes..

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 am not a "hide my head in the sand" type of person.. I do not have any trips to WDW currently planned, but I just learned that there are 2 confirmed cases - and 1 suspected case - of swine flu in the county that my DD and her family live in - which is only one county away from where I am currently staying until I return to their home next winter.. We are remaining calm, level-headed, and employing reasonable precautions - in light of this most recent development.. Canceling vacation plans; avoiding large cities; avoiding gatherings; and staying "holed up" are not things that we consider "reasonable".. Although there is currently no vaccine to "prevent" the spread of this flu, if you should be unfortunate enough to get it there are medications available to treat it and prevent unnecessary deaths.. The important thing to remember is to seek medical attention immediately upon experiencing symptoms - as opposed to just "riding it out".. There have been no confirmed deaths of US citizens thus far.. The single death was that of the poor little toddler in Texas who came here from Mexico..All reports of confirmed cases of swine flu in the US are being rated as "mild"..

I work in Boston. I take public transportation into the big city every day - she agreed that my chances are just as great getting this at home as they are in Disney

Based on the most recent data, I think that is a reasonable assumption.. There is no reason why people who are not ill should not take vacations, go to work, etc.. The last thing our economy needs is for people to go into panic mode and start quarantining themselves.. Stay informed - get your information from reliable sources (such as the CDC or WHO) - take the same precautions you would take to avoid any other contagious disease (washing hands frequently; not kissing strangers; not sharing drinks, food, or utensils, etc.)..

People walk around with the "regular" flu at Disney daily I'm sure. What makes the swine flu any worse?

Fear; hysteria; panic; rumor mills; the media; unreliable sources for information; misinformation; and the list goes on and on..

No one is saying it should be ignored - but it shouldn't be blown totally out of proportion either.. A short while ago there were only 90 confirmed cases of swine flu in this country.. What is the population of this country?? 90 people out of the entire population!!! Does that really warrant the kind of panicky reactions people are having?

I personally don't think so - but once someone has their mind made up otherwise, it's difficult - if not impossible - to change it..

For all of those still going on your trips, have a great time!!

 

[SpecialK]

This is not correct. Healthy, middle-aged people with good immune systems are *least* at risk because our (I'm middle-aged) immune systems are experienced enough to fight off infections. It is *young adults* (between around 15 and 35) who are most at risk of cytokine storm, like in the 1918 Influenza pandemic. My DH (an Emergency Room RN) and I were just talking about this today, so I am certain of what I'm saying.

That said, I am going to Disney World on Saturday, but I think those at risk due to their physical conditions (immune system problems or other significant health issues), or those very old or those very young might be wise to consider postponing just to be on the safe side.

-Dorothy (LadyZolt)

According to this article (and others on the web) It is precisely those with a healthy immune system who are most at risk because their immune response is so strong. The group most at risk is right in the middle - not the very young or the aged.



http://scienceblogs.com/aetiology/2009/04/swine_flu_and_deaths_in_health.php


" Children have immune responses that are still developing, while the elderly tend to lose some immune function with the aging process. However, the middle age group--roughly age 15 to 50, give or take--tend to have an active, vigorous immune response upon invasion by a pathogen. Most of the time, this keeps us relatively free of disease from microbes, but some organisms tend to trigger this type of hyper-response that actually ends up harming the host--in some cases, fatally. This is what we've seen in some cases of H5N1 infection, and what's been induced in mouse models with the 1918 H1N1 strain."

 

[kadesha]

According to this article (and others on the web) It is precisely those with a healthy immune system who are most at risk because their immune response is so strong. The group most at risk is right in the middle - not the very young or the aged.



http://scienceblogs.com/aetiology/2009/04/swine_flu_and_deaths_in_health.php


" Children have immune responses that are still developing, while the elderly tend to lose some immune function with the aging process. However, the middle age group--roughly age 15 to 50, give or take--tend to have an active, vigorous immune response upon invasion by a pathogen. Most of the time, this keeps us relatively free of disease from microbes, but some organisms tend to trigger this type of hyper-response that actually ends up harming the host--in some cases, fatally. This is what we've seen in some cases of H5N1 infection, and what's been induced in mouse models with the 1918 H1N1 strain."

I had read something to this nature also, which is why I said "middle-aged" at first. Regardless of what the technical name for the age group is, the point is that the healthiest people are more at risk. The stronger your immune system, the more difficult it can be on you if Cytokine storm occurs.