Thoughts IF DCL Covid tests Children

[KevinFL]

If DCL follows suit per article below and requires Covid testing at embarkation would you still take your young children on a cruise? The article refers to 2 tests performed so not sure if includes nasal swab and/or blood test. We have a 4 & 5 year old; I think any test might frighten them like a shot at the doctor and possibly cause them to not want to cruise the next time unless it is non-invasive. So if the nasal swab goes uncomfortably far up there or if there is a needle for blood test we would not be cruising.

First giant cruise ship takes off since COVID-19 — with new rules

 

[JM23457]

If DCL follows suit per article below and requires Covid testing at debarkation, would you still take your young children on a cruise? The article refers to 2 tests performed so not sure if includes nasal swab and/or blood test. We have a 4 & 5 year old; I think any test might frighten them like a shot at the doctor and possibly cause them to not want to cruise the next time unless it is non-invasive. So if the nasal swab goes uncomfortably far up there or if there is a needle for blood test we would not be cruising.

First giant cruise ship takes off since COVID-19 — with new rules

No, I wouldn't take a small child anywhere that required a Covid test. My teenage son could handle it, though.

It might be easiest on DCL to not have the youngest kids on in the beginning, anyway. They often have issues with mask wearing, & aren't great at distancing, etc.

 

[MomOTwins]

No, I wouldn't take a small child anywhere that required a Covid test. My teenage son could handle it, though.

It might be easiest on DCL to not have the youngest kids on in the beginning, anyway. They often have issues with mask wearing, & aren't great at distancing, etc.

Agree I wouldn't subject my kiddos to the nose poke. But completely disagree on the mask wearing aspect--my 4 year old and 8 year olds never once had an issue wearing masks, even all day in WDW in August for 9 days. It's the adults that seem to be the worst at handling masks for some reason (though I honestly don't get why).

 

[disneygeek401]

No, I wouldn't take a small child anywhere that required a Covid test. My teenage son could handle it, though.

It might be easiest on DCL to not have the youngest kids on in the beginning, anyway. They often have issues with mask wearing, & aren't great at distancing, etc.

When I go out in public, it seems like the kids are doing the best job of wearing the masks. Everywhere I go the young kids do a great job of wearing masks and the adults aren't! I have also heard reports of kids doing good job of wearing masks during the initial reopening period at WDW. So I completely disagree on that aspect.

And, when DCL restarts if they really want to test everyone I feel like the rapid saliva test would be the best option anyways.

 

[OKW Lover]

If DCL follows suit per article below and requires Covid testing at debarkation,

I would have thought they would do the testing before you got on the ship, not when you got off.

 

[ArielRae]

They would probably do the spit/saliva test, which I think most kids would have no problem providing.

https://www.fda.gov/news-events/pre...y-use-authorization-yale-school-public-health

 

[_auroraborealis_]

When I go out in public, it seems like the kids are doing the best job of wearing the masks. Everywhere I go the young kids do a great job of wearing masks and the adults aren't!

Same.
My daughter would snort glass to be allowed to a socially distant Girl Scout meeting. A mask with a back-of-head elastic so it doesn't pull at her ears? EASY.

 

[squirk]

I would have thought they would do the testing before you got on the ship, not when you got off.

I would not be surprised if they required testing for both embarkation and debarkation..

 

[Snowwhyt]

I have to agree with you no reason to traumatize a child. Although, this might be an opportunity to help your child understand that not everything we do in life is pleasant. But of course we have choices. For example having a child take nasty medicines during a cold and then asking them are you glad you took it when they’re feeling better.
or reminding them that they were hurt occasionally while riding a bike but are they glad they know how to ride a bike now. Sometimes those unpleasant choices can lead to great happiness. I hope your children never have to take either of those tests, but if they are required to for some unknown reason in the future I hope you can work something out for them so it’s not as traumatic.

 

[_auroraborealis_]

I have to agree with you no reason to traumatize a child. Although, this might be an opportunity to help your child understand that not everything we do in life is pleasant. But of course we have choices. For example having a child take nasty medicines during a cold and then asking them are you glad you took it when they’re feeling better.
or reminding them that they were hurt occasionally while riding a bike but are they glad they know how to ride a bike now. Sometimes those unpleasant choices can lead to great happiness. I hope your children never have to take either of those tests, but if they are required to for some unknown reason in the future I hope you can work something out for them so it’s not as traumatic.

A good example is when my 6-year-old had to have a tick removed, and also then needed a lyme blood test. He was not really into the whole idea of the blood test, but it really was a good idea.

Having done the nasal swab, I will tell you up front: Yeah, I would rather not, thanks. But it really is no worse than a standard ready-for-school vax series, a youth blood test, or even really a good strep test. It is less uncomfortable than most basic dental work, including having juvenile sealants applied to back teeth.

 

[dclpluto]

Agree I wouldn't subject my kiddos to the nose poke. But completely disagree on the mask wearing aspect--my 4 year old and 8 year olds never once had an issue wearing masks, even all day in WDW in August for 9 days. It's the adults that seem to be the worst at handling masks for some reason (though I honestly don't get why).

its called pulmonary function. Most kids should have better pulmonary function than most adults. Out of shape adults will probably feel the need to get some fresh air and not wear the masks properly. Could be from smoking, being obese or have some kind of lung disease. Granted they shouldn’t come to wdw at this time but many might not know their ability to wear a mask in the heat for extended period of time. If in doubt you should test it at home and see how you do. Wear a mask properly on the heat for a long period of time. Just don’t over do it.

 

[Karin1984]

A few seconds of uncomfortable swab versus a vacation? I haven't had a test, but people who I spoke to who had said, yes, uncomfortable, but not painful.

If I had children, yes, I would take them and prepare them for what is going to happen and why it is happening. Like you would do with shots. Yes, it's unpleasant and can be a little scary, but it is for a reason and the outcome of the test (let's go with they test negative) is a pleasant one.

Shielding your children from unpleasant/uncomfortable things in life is good when it comes to wait till they are ready to hear about war and death and other complicated things. Shielding them from this is not necessarily beneficial, in my opinion.

 

[KevinFL]

I would have thought they would do the testing before you got on the ship, not when you got off.

Yep the longer we go without cruising I am getting rusty with the terms. Meant Embarkation.

 

[JM23457]

When I go out in public, it seems like the kids are doing the best job of wearing the masks.

I said young kids, by which I meant ages 2 - 4. I have seen these little ones have issues with mask wearing and with distancing, in particular. They tend to wander into other people's space.

 

[CamColt]

I have had a test and I personally would do it in a heartbeat. I also wouldn't think twice about my family getting it to go on a cruise. My kids are in their early 20s though. Young ones, I'm not so sure. My first thought was of course, suck it up kids you are getting a cruise. However as a mom thinking back to those moments in the Dr's office with shots, would I really want to start off a dream vacation with a possible screaming child, needing to be held down for that? It's a tough call.

 

[disneygeek401]

I said young kids, by which I meant ages 2 - 4. I have seen these little ones have issues with mask wearing and with distancing, in particular. They tend to wander into other people's space.

Yep and all of the 2-4 year olds I have seen still do better with the mask wearing than adults.

 

[JM23457]

Yep and all of the 2-4 year olds I have seen still do better with the mask wearing than adults.

Then we've seen different kids. And as I've also mentioned (& you've ignored), they also tend to wander into other people's space.

 

[CamColt]

Lets remember to keep this thread on topic. It is not about children wearing masks.

 

[CampbellzSoup]

Depends what’s involved....

I’m not gonna have the Q-tip shoved up my kids nose but a saliva test we would do

 

[Minnie1222]

If it makes anyone feel better, the newer nasal Covid test no longer goes "deep up the nose". The swab is now gently placed about 1 inch up an adult nose and gingerly spun around 5 times inside each nostril.