Walt Disney World: No COVID-19 Outbreaks Since July
Good News Out Of Florida – Disney Covid-19 Measures Are Working…
Back in the day, The Mighty Mighty Bosstones — a beloved Boston-born ska band — hit pop charts with the song, “The Impression That I Get”:
Never had to but I’d better knock on wood
‘Cause I know someone who has
Which makes me wonder if I could
It makes me wonder if I never had to but I’d better knock on wood
‘Cause I’m sure it isn’t good
And I’m glad I haven’t yet
That’s the impression that I get
And, seriously, that’s what I have flowing through my mind as I post a piece entitled, “Walt Disney World: No COVID-19 Outbreaks Since July.”
Knock Wood, WDW COVID-19 Outbreak Free
Yep, that’s right, while the Vacation Kingdom hasn’t been COVID-19 free per se, there have been no mass outbreaks of the virus.
So far, Disney’s wide-ranging safety measures appear to be working.
“We have no issues or concerns with the major theme parks at this point,” said Dr. Raul Pino, director of the Florida Department of Health in Orange County, which includes Disney World.
Disney declined to say how many Disney World employees had tested positive for the coronavirus since the resort reopened. In phone interviews, union leaders said cases had been minimal.
While some places in the country have experienced significant against COVID-19 safety measures, the Disney Parks — particularly at Walt Disney World — proved to be examples of how to consistently implement an anti-virus program.
The Times added:
“We’ve had very few, and none, as far as we can tell, have been from work-related exposure,” said Eric Clinton, president of UNITE HERE Local 362, which represents roughly 8,000 attraction workers and custodians.
Mr. Clinton’s assessment was echoed by UNITE HERE Local 737, which represents hotel housekeepers and food and beverage workers; Local 631 of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, where members include stagehands and show technicians; United Food & Commercial Workers Local 1625, which handles merchandise and banquet workers; and Teamsters Local 385, which looks after bus drivers, laundry workers and entertainers who appear in costume as Disney characters.
Disney On Offense
These stats and quotes from Florida come just days after Disney pushed back on California Governor Gavin Newsom, who said he was in “no hurry” in regard to opening his state’s theme parks. Moreover, the CA governor said he wanted to take a “health-first” approach.
Disney took offense:
https://twitter.com/DisneyParksNews/status/1314023556720648192?s=20
On October 7, Dr. Pamela Hymel, chief medical officer, Disney Parks, Experiences and Products posted:
“We absolutely reject the suggestion that reopening the Disneyland Resort is incompatible with a “health-first” approach. The fact is, that since March we have taken a robust science-based approach to responsibly reopening our parks and resorts across the globe.”
Meanwhile, in Florida…
Finally, in Florida, folks are breathing easy, for now.
“So far — so far — it has been a success story,” Julee Jerkovich, a United Food & Commercial Workers official told the NYT. “As a union rep, I do not say that lightly.”
Knock on wood, amiright?