Okay, Fine. Let’s Talk about the Face Masks
Every day is Groundhog Day right now. We’re all stuck in Bill Murray’s universe where the days repeat themselves. On social forums, this means having the same discussions over and over again.
Today, I’m going to talk in detail about the one that has everyone raging. Let’s talk about face mask requirements at Disney.
Photo; Zane/@fugginspam/Twitter
What’s Going On?
Due to the ongoing concern of Coronavirus, Disney officials have required face masks for the reopening of Disney Springs.
Many people are already wearing masks every time they go outside and don’t view the rule as problematic in the least.
Photo: Aly Song | Reuters
A vocal minority vehemently and loudly disagrees. I’m noticing variations of the word ‘tyranny’ thrown around a shocking amount for a theme park conversation.
Yes, some folks have gotten a touch hyperbolic. Even so, the underlying question is a fair one.
As a society, Americans have watched our Asian counterparts wear masks in public.
We’ve gradually associated this behavior with poor atmospheric conditions in the Eastern Hemisphere.
Citizens of this country enjoy a profound volume of civil liberties. As such, we as a people never expected to wear masks.
Photo: MickeyTravels.com
Now that healthcare officials indicate that we should, some of us understandably bristle at the notion.
Wearing a mask goes against something that’s ingrained in us.
The Basics about Masks
Every version of face mask discussion includes one hot topic. Someone inevitably points to an inconsistent message about the effectiveness of masks.
Photo Credit: Orange County Register, Disney
I’m not an epidemiologist and always breathe a sigh of relief when I verify that I’ve spelled the word correctly.
However, I started talking to epidemiologists in January when it became clear that a COVID-19 outbreak was impacting Chinese citizens.
Photo Credit: Deadline, Shanghai Disney Resort
Coincidentally, I was working on a book with a former CNN expert living in Hong Kong at the time. So, he provided useful information about the subject.
At the time, he learned that healthcare officials didn’t believe masks would help any. Importantly, opinions have changed on this topic in recent weeks.
Photo: AP
I’ll copy this section from the official CDC website:
“We now know from recent studies that a significant portion of individuals with coronavirus lack symptoms (“asymptomatic”) and that even those who eventually develop symptoms (“pre-symptomatic”) can transmit the virus to others before showing symptoms.
This means that the virus can spread between people interacting in close proximity—for example, speaking, coughing, or sneezing—even if those people are not exhibiting symptoms.
In light of this new evidence, CDC recommends wearing cloth face coverings in public settings where other social distancing measures are difficult to maintain (e.g., grocery stores and pharmacies) especially in areas of significant community-based transmission.”
Photo Credit: Deadline, Shanghai Disney Resort
So, the CDC says to wear masks. Disney is wisely following the advice of the experts on this topic.
As such, Disney will require guests to wear masks when Disney Springs reopens. It’s the rule right now, and so discussions about masks are pointless.
Then again, the entire basis of the internet is pointless discussions, right? Well, those and funny animal videos.
What about My Comfort?
Here’s the thing. We live in a society. As such, we all observe an unspoken social contract.
Sometimes, government officials and private businesses codify laws and rules. They do this so that there’s clarity about expected behavior.
Image Credit: Disney
Right now, Disney is saying that the expected behavior for guests is to wear masks.
We can and almost certainly will continue to quarrel over the necessity of the action. Even so, there’s a hard truth in play.
Medical officials believe that wearing a mask reduces the risk of spreading Coronavirus.
Image: Disney
You may feel safe from the risk of infection. While I would debate this aspect with you, let’s say for the sake of argument that you’re correct.
Why should you feel less comfortable if you’re not worried about the virus? My answer comes from Max Brooks, the author of World War Z.
Watch this:
A message from me and my dad, @Melbrooks. #coronavirus #DontBeASpreader pic.twitter.com/Hqhc4fFXbe
— Max Brooks (@maxbrooksauthor) March 16, 2020
In other words, you’re wearing a mask so that you’re not endangering others. Even if you could survive, you have parents, and aunts and uncles, and grandparents, and kindly neighbors that you like, right?
Also, you don’t want to get fellow Disney fans sick, right?
Photo: Disney
Well, that’s reason enough to cede a bit of your comfort for the greater good.
What about the Heat?
Yeah, California gets hot sometimes, and Florida can feel like an active volcano.
Out of all the mask criticisms in play, Florida heat is the most reasonable criticism.
I’ve worn a mask outside for several weeks now. As an asthmatic, I cannot say that I like it.
Sometimes, the mask causes breathing issues that make me debate whether the cure’s worse than the disease. That’s just me venting, though.
Photo: Disney
In reality, I know the science here and understand that the mask does more than protect me. It also safeguards everyone else walking near me.
Even though I live in the south, I accept that I’ll wear the mask each day this summer, even when the humidity is 100 percent…which does happen here and at Walt Disney World.
However, there’s a difference between wearing a mask for a few hours vs. wearing one during a 12-hour park day.
So, a visit to Disney Springs should cause no problems. You’ll park, walk to your designated store/restaurant, use some hand sanitizer, and do whatever you came to do.
A park visit might come with some additional challenges. We’ll discuss those more once Disney provides further details.
What about Small Children?
Disney hasn’t announced an official policy yet. I would expect a similar rule to Universal CityWalk.
Executives from these parks strategize about policies that affect their guests.
At CityWalk, children under two don’t have to wear masks. There’s some confusion about two-year-olds, though.
I suspect that Disney will tell parents that they can similarly skip the masks on children of that age.
Now, if you’re on the fence about returning to Disney Springs, the idea of sneezing and coughing children might worry you some.
This area is one where no perfect solution exists. Disney’s management team can’t expect infants to wear masks.
Photo: MickeyTravels.com
This reality places the onus on adults to maintain social distancing around small children. That’s a reasonable request, all things considered.
What about Meals?
Nobody has invented a mask that will let you eat and drink yet. Well, nobody has a mass-marketed one anyway.
Park officials know this and have a caveat about meals. When you’re at a restaurant, you can safely remove your mask.
The idea here is that you’re in a stationary position and obeying social distancing rules. As such, you’re not a risk to any cast members or strangers.
Now, this caveat does come with one potential risk. Guests must remember to replace their masks when they’re ready to leave.
Disney will have methods in place to remind people. So, I don’t expect this issue to prove disruptive.
Otherwise, the dining rules at Disney Springs will be discussed in detail, starting on May 20.
What about Snacks and Drinks?
Eek. Here’s a problem awaiting a solution.
When guests walk through Disney parks, they frequently drink and snack. The current rules suggest that guests must wear masks at all times.
Thankfully, this rule only applies to Disney Springs right now. So, we don’t know whether Disney will change anything at the parks.
What I will say is that Disney won’t stop selling Mickey Mouse Ice Cream Bars and Dole Whips this summer. As such, I expect an exemption while snacking.
I’m blindly speculating here, though. I have no direct information from Disney about the topic.
I should acknowledge that it’s just as likely that the parks will reopen with designated seating areas for snacking.
When you need to hydrate and eat some popcorn, park officials might expect you to sit down before you remove your mask and start eating.
This one’s to be determined.
What about Style and Fandom?
Okay, I’m throwing this one in at the end because I couldn’t find another place to mention it.
Photo: Disney
When Universal CityWalk reopened, guests vented about the lack of themed face masks. The main Universal store sold generic ones for $6 each instead.
Disney’s thankfully smarter than that.
I joked several weeks ago that face masks will become the most stylish accessory of the fall of 2020. In the comments, several people asked for details about where to buy a Disney mask.
Photo: Disney
That’s the whole story right now. Since we’re going to wear masks anyway, we might as well demonstrate our love of Disney characters, movies, and attractions, right?
ShopDisney accepted pre-orders for four-packs of masks in early May. While mine hasn’t arrived yet, I’m excited because my pack of Marvel superheroes looks terrific.
We’re going to wear face masks anyway. So, we might as well enjoy them, right?
