Anyone concerned about the Coronavirus in WDW ?

[NotUrsula]

I don't think that major theme parks are likely to close at all. I think that if COVID-19 gets more widespread in the SE US you will see attendance numbers fall, but I don't see major theme parks closing completely. Hours may be cut due to lack of staff and/or a need to clean more thoroughly, but I just don't see full shutdown.

The US has not seen major public facility shutdowns since the last polio summers in the late 1940's. We've had plenty of nasty bugs sweep through since then, but we depend upon people to use their own judgement when it comes to making choices to try to avoid infection. For the most part our mobile society is just too impossible to contain in that manner without the use of force, and we don't use force on our citizens that way.; the public opinion cost of it is considered to be just too high by the average politician.

 

[wilbret]

If your doctor doesn't recommend the flu-shot you need to get a new doctor.

Who knows what my doctor says, I never seem to see the same one? I'm talking about the medical practice as a whole. If people want the shot, they should get it. I know they push it on folks at the office, but every year, people still get it. It doesn't help that so many offices think the "open office design" is cool. It's not. People hate it, and it helps propagate everything from the common cold to the flu to the rumor mill (there's no privacy.)

 

[Hikergirl]

They already do it with Medicare for retired folks, so I don’t see what the big deal is.

Ok, well in that case you should do alot of reading up on what the big deal is. It's not just a simple let's give everyone healthcare run by the government and all our problems will be solved.
You know this can't be discussed in detail here but there is plenty of information out there for those who choose to inform themselves.

 

[Brianstl]

This isn't about having or not having faith the government. I'm just stating that when a country's healthcare is primarily tied to employment, uninsured people will avoid getting medical care until they absolutely have to. It's just a fact. And many of the people who don't have health insurance work in jobs with *lots* of contact with the public. Also, FYI, Medicare is currently a government healthcare program that exists!
Anyway, we are planning our first trip to WDW for the kids in April (a surprise trip for them) and so I am just trying to read as much as I can and just crossing fingers that the US can get it under control, although I'm admittedly not feeling very confident. I'm at least thankful that my husband and I and kids are not a particularly vulnerable population. Sigh.

There are going to be trade offs with any kind of health care system. You know why Great Britain only recommends the flu shot only for the elderly and young children? Because that is all they are willing to pay for. Nationalized health care means cost must be controlled and controlled costs mean rationing of care.

 

[RamblingMad]

Ok, well in that case you should do alot of reading up on what the big deal is.

Let’s keep this to topic at hand, the Coronavirus. You’re likelihood of dying from it goes up as you age, so those that are most likely to die from it are already on Medicare anyway. I’m not going anywhere else on that topic. Gets people way too worked up.

 

[carriebc]

Everyone should be following WHO guidelines. As of today, there are cases in FL. Therefore it is prudent for those over the age of 60-70 or those with medical conditions that place them at high risk of complications to avoid mass gatherings. WDW was shoulder to shoulder in all my park visits just last month so I would have cancelled absolutely if this had hit just a couple months earlier. We were there celebrating my mom’s 70th birthday. Not worth the risk. This is more serious than the flu. The case fatality rate is reported to be higher for susceptible groups than for influenza. For non-susceptible groups, as well, but there you are still looking at a case fatality rate of .4%, but it jumps to 2% in healthy 70 year olds. WHO has this info on their website if you are inclined to sift thru the data. I was hoping we’d see a decline in case fatality rate in the Italy outbreak but the numbers seem consistent with what is being reported out of China.

If you are a 20-30 year old mom and dad traveling with toddlers...GO!!! OMG, go and take advantage of the potentially lower crowds b/c it was miserable in February. Little kids seem to be getting very mild or asymptomatic illness. The theory behind this is that they have a high immunity for the coronavirus family of viruses because they have them all the time. As adults our immunity has waned as we catch less respiratory illnesses than children who are exposed to so many on playgrounds, in schools and in day care.

 

[quandrea]

There are going to be trade offs with any kind of health care system. You know why Great Britain only recommends the flu shot only for the elderly and young children? Because that is all they are willing to pay for. Nationalized health care means cost must be controlled and controlled costs mean rationing of care.

Not in every country. Canada encourages every person to get the flu shot. No rationing there.

 

[Hikergirl]

Let’s keep this to topic at hand, the Coronavirus. You’re likelihood of dying from it goes up as you age, so those that are most likely to die from it are already on Medicare anyway. I’m not going anywhere else on that topic. Gets people way too worked up.

Ah I see, you have your say but when your ignorance/naivete gets pointed out you retreat from the conversation. Like I said- there are plenty of ways you can educate yourself on why changing our entire healthcare structure for 300 million would be a big deal. It's your choice, but one would think you'd want to be informed.

 

[Searc]

Then essentially we aren't going to be able to stop or slow this, are we? I believe I heard that the virus didn't spread IN China beyond Wuhan, does anyone else recall hearing that? It just spread to other countries from people traveling in and out of Wuhan, correct? So they are seeing a slow down in China itself, but if the rest of the world can't or won't limit travel, when does it end? WIth a vaccine? Like so many others have said, I fear it's going to wipe out the elderly population as well as other people in need of medical treatment who won't have the beds, supplies, or personnel to treat them

There will be no travel bans between states. You can't restrict interstate commerce (unless people don't want any food/meds/supplies brought into their state via trucks or trains) and you can't restrict people from going about their business (ie, school, work, etc). Unless the government is going to pay everyone's mortgage/rent/bills during this time (which we all know they won't) it will never happen.

 

[Searc]

One thing COVID-19 has shown me is our country's lack of critical thinking skills.

 

[Brianstl]

Not in every country. Canada encourages every person to get the flu shot. No rationing there.

Canada rations in other ways. Canada ranks dead last among similar countries when it comes to wait times for almost every type care according to a study from the Commonwealth Fund.

https://www.cihi.ca/en/commonwealth-fund-survey-2016
Like I said earlier, there are trade offs with every system.

 

[Hikergirl]

This isn't about having or not having faith the government. I'm just stating that when a country's healthcare is primarily tied to employment, uninsured people will avoid getting medical care until they absolutely have to. It's just a fact. And many of the people who don't have health insurance work in jobs with *lots* of contact with the public. Also, FYI, Medicare is currently a government healthcare program that exists!
Anyway, we are planning our first trip to WDW for the kids in April (a surprise trip for them) and so I am just trying to read as much as I can and just crossing fingers that the US can get it under control, although I'm admittedly not feeling very confident. I'm at least thankful that my husband and I and kids are not a particularly vulnerable population. Sigh.

There is a difference between trying to make our system better and completely overhauling it so that it is under government control.
And it is about having faith in government, maybe you have been lucky enough to not have to deal with them when it comes to medical issues. Some people know from experience that gov't doesn't always equal efficiency or best.


But this all started as a joke said here.
People need to lighten up, seriously.

 

[wilbret]

There are going to be trade offs with any kind of health care system. You know why Great Britain only recommends the flu shot only for the elderly and young children? Because that is all they are willing to pay for. Nationalized health care means cost must be controlled and controlled costs mean rationing of care.

Here are some fun anecdotal "facts."
Fact. In 2007-2008, when I was self-employed, I went to an insurance brokerage site and purchased BCBS insurance for about $100/month. It did have a $5k deductible, but included reasonable Co-pays, Rx, and also included pre-natal coverage. (I know this to be a fact, because we had a kid on it in 2008). The 6 month premium was $660. There were CHEAPER policies, I distinctly recall a $65 policy, with a higher deductible. The point is... insurance WAS and COULD BE affordable, and people could have always chosen to figure out how to pay for it. But they didn't. They prefer to smoke, dine out, buy new cars, have cable tv, etc etc... And as such, any gap in coverage did create a situation where they could develop a condition that would be "pre-existing" when they try to get coverage. Imagine, if instead of the bullcrap we got with ACA, we instead got something where every citizen was mandated to buy insurance, and they could choose a $50-100/mo policy that was a safety net? The govt can mandate it, but not design it or manage it. They are horrible at that. I'd go with that, but I am dead set against the bastardized ACA, that caused prices to skyrocket (mine went from $350/mo to $750/mo), and kicked people off their plans "that they could keep." (my dad, my brother, and many others). I think we all agree that having insurance is a good idea, but having the govt. manage it is a horrible idea. I mean, we all hear delightful stores about visiting government agencies, all the time...

Fact. My dad happens to be the chairman of a rural hospital. For years and years, they built into their budget a line item for "indigent care." It took care of the people that needed treatment, but had no means. Contrary to misconceptions, hospitals don't turn away people in need. ACA came in, and they can barely stay afloat, whereas many others have simply closed up shop. There are areas that are completely un-served by hospitals, clinics, or even a doctor of any type. The burden of bureaucratic regulations, paperwork, decreased reimbursements have had a crushing effect on rural hospitals. A friend of mine is leading a charge to help bring tele-docs to small towns, where people can at least get basic care without having to drive for hours.

The govt has a role to play, but it should not be involved in how things are run. People complain about "for profit" hospitals, but when it's time, you'd definitely rather be at the hospital that is state of the art, as opposed to one that has to cut corners to keep the lights on, including only attracting staff that work for bargain wages.

 

[wilbret]

So, folks... who is excited about Mickey & Minnie's Runaway Railway?

 

[gottalovepluto]

One thing COVID-19 has shown me is our country's lack of critical thinking skills.

BUT I NEED ALL THE COSTCO TOILET PAPER NOW!!!

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

There are going to be trade offs with any kind of health care system. You know why Great Britain only recommends the flu shot only for the elderly and young children? Because that is all they are willing to pay for. Nationalized health care means cost must be controlled and controlled costs mean rationing of care.

Our healthcare doesn't pay for it and it is a pretty cheap vaccination you can get in most drug stores.

 

[tnicks]

To commiserate, one woman chimed in & said she had the flu in November but still had to bake 30 pies for a bake sale. While SICK, she baked pies to be sold to the public.

People have no sense.

exhibit A: Soup of the day - Coronavirus

 

[tinkerdorabelle]

Ah I see, you have your say but when your ignorance/naivete gets pointed out you retreat from the conversation. Like I said- there are plenty of ways you can educate yourself on why changing our entire healthcare structure for 300 million would be a big deal. It's your choice, but one would think you'd want to be informed.

Every other major country seems to be able to do it

 

[wilbret]

BUT I NEED ALL THE COSTCO TOILET PAPER NOW!!!

Sorry, I bought it all, and the canned chicken.

 

[TLSnell1981]

.......

Fact. My dad happens to be the chairman of a rural hospital. For years and years, they built into their budget a line item for "indigent care." It took care of the people that needed treatment, but had no means. Contrary to misconceptions, hospitals don't turn away people in need. ACA came in, and they can barely stay afloat, whereas many others have simply closed up shop. There are areas that are completely un-served by hospitals, clinics, or even a doctor of any type. The burden of bureaucratic regulations, paperwork, decreased reimbursements have had a crushing effect on rural hospitals. A friend of mine is leading a charge to help bring tele-docs to small towns, where people can at least get basic care without having to drive for hours.