CDC Officially Recommends The Fully Vaccinated Resume Wearing Masks Indoors

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks, Uncategorized

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has officially updated their guidelines to recommend that some people who are fully vaccinated return to wearing masks indoors.

Specifically, those living in areas with “high” or “substantial” levels of COVID-19 transmission should resume wearing masks. All of Florida, as well as both Orange County and LA County, California, are high transmission areas, according to the CDC’s tracker. 46% of counties in the U.S.A. as a whole have high transmission and 17% have substantial transmission.

Vaccinated people who live or frequently interact with at-risk individuals (such as children under 12 and/or the immunocompromised) should also wear masks indoors.

CNN reports that CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walnsky told reporters, “In recent days I have seen new scientific data from recent outbreak investigations showing that that Delta variant behaves uniquely differently from past strains of the virus that cause COVID-19. This new science is worrisome and unfortunately warrants an update to our recommendations.”

COVID-19 cases have been on the rise in the past few weeks and months, especially with the Delta variant spreading. In the past month, the Delta variant has gone from comprising 26% of U.S. COVID-19 cases to 83% of cases.

Neither Disney nor Universal have made announcements regarding updated mask guidelines at their Florida and California parks. Orange County, Florida Mayor Jerry Demings has been urging individuals to mask up and businesses to require masks again as the county reached 1,000 new cases in a day.

Orange County Mayor Says Masks Should Be Worn Indoors Once Again

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

As Walt Disney World removes mask requirements and social distancing, increases their capacity, and brings back fireworks and entertainment, the last thing we want to talk about is about COVID-19. Unfortunately, Orange County, which much of Walt Disney World property resides in, is currently experiencing a resurge in COVID-19 cases. Enough so that the Orange County Mayor says masks need to be worn indoors.

As reported by OrlandoSentinel: “Amid a surge in new COVID-19 infections — powered by the delta variant taking root in unvaccinated people — Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings said Monday (7/12) vaccinated people should strongly consider wearing face masks while in crowded places indoors. Demings, in issuing his warning, said the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has shifted the county back into the “high risk” category. He said he wasn’t issuing a mandate, but a “strong recommendation.””

The report goes on to say, “Caseloads are skyrocketing in Orange County, almost exclusively among unvaccinated people, said Dr. Raul Pino, the local state health officer, and warned numbers could further climb. “This is a moment of truth in our county. This is an unvaccinated issue,” Pino said. “It’s up to you to take it and make that decision.””

406 cases were reported in Orange County on Sunday, with 400 cases reported daily since Thursday in the county. The numbers have doubled from the previous week. About 60% of eligible people have at least one dose of vaccine, leaving about 40% without protection in Orange County.

Disney has yet to comment on the Mayor’s announcement. With the CDC moving the county back into the “high risk” category, we’re curious to see if Disney will make any adjustments. As of May 15, masks were no longer required outdoors for vaccinated guests at Walt Disney World. The mask mandate for indoor attractions was removed on June 15 for vaccinated guests. Of course, Disney is not checking for proof of vaccination, and nearly everyone visiting Disney World does not wear a mask. We’re almost a month in with no masks but unfortunately, this news makes us unsure of what Disney may be discussing.

Disney Updates Face Covering Policy While Dining

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Dining

With Walt Disney World’s phased reopening and constant evaluation of social distancing and procedures due to the pandemic, there has been an update to the Face Covering Policy associated with dining that you’ll want to take note of.

New measures are in place to promote health and well-being in table-service restaurants at Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla. Cast members wear appropriate face coverings at all times, while guests can only remove their face coverings while sitting at their table. (Matt Stroshane, photographer)

Walt Disney World has updated their website with the following:

“Face coverings for each Guest age 2 and up, which must be worn in all public areas and can only be removed while actively eating or drinking. Face coverings must be worn while standing, waiting or sitting in dining locations.”

As first reported by Brooke Geiger McDonald in via Twitter:

Brooke goes on to say: “Note that this change includes while sitting at dining locations, suggesting that masks may now be required while seated at one’s table except when actively eating or drinking.”

We’ll keep you posted as we learn more about this policy change in the coming days. In the meantime, be prepare to keep that mask on while dining, until your food arrives.

an Charged With Hitting Disney Security Guard Over Mask Rule at Walt Disney World

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

Not very magical news to share, as we’ve learned an Orlando man has been charged with hitting a Walt Disney World Security Guard over the mask rule when trying to enter EPCOT.

As shared by the OrlandoSentinel: “An Orlando man struck an Epcot security guard when he was reminded to follow the theme park’s mask rules, an Orange County sheriff’s report says. Enrico Toro, 35, is accused of hitting the guard in the head and threatening to kill him, which led to Toro’s arrest Aug. 14, the arrest affidavit said.

Enrico Toro (Courtesy Orange County Corrections)

“We expect guests to treat our cast members with courtesy and respect, and while the vast majority of guests have adapted to our new measures, this unfortunate case required law enforcement,” Disney spokeswoman Andrea Finger said in a statement.

OrlandoSentinel goes on the share: “Toro did not return a message seeking comment Wednesday but gave his version of events to authorities in the arrest report. He said the security guard swore at him and they got into an argument but denied anything else happened. Three witnesses observed the altercation and said they saw Toro become “irate,” use profanity and hit the guard, the report noted.”

“At about 4:40 p.m. Aug. 14, Toro, his wife and three children arrived at Epcot security wearing “improper masks,” the 29-year-old security guard recounted to the sheriff’s office in the arrest affidavit. The family returned to the car and came back to the front of Epcot a second time, but one child still wore a mask that didn’t fit Disney’s rules. Toro “began cussing” and said, “Call the police. They will have to shoot me to leave,” the arrest report said. The security guard reached for his phone to notify a security supervisor of the escalating situation when Toro struck the guard’s head with an “open hand,” the report said. Toro’s wife intervened and pushed her husband away from the security guard. “The male continued cussing at (the security guard) and began threatening that he knew where he lived and was going to kill him,” the arrest report said.”

Two New Sets of Masks Arrive on shopDisney

Posted on by Mathew Corn Disney Parks

New masks have arrived on shopDisney! The first new set features Disney Parks attractions. The second set is all about Mickey! These masks will bring a little smile to Disney fans wherever you may be!

The first set is listed on shopDisney as “Disney Parks Attractions Cloth Face Masks 4-Pack Set” for $19.99. The current sizes available include Youth Small, Youth Medium, Adult Large, and Adult Extra Large. The four different Disney Parks attraction designs include The Haunted Mansion wallpaper, allover Space Mountain symbols, Disney it’s a small world, and José and his feathered friends from Walt Disney’s Enchanted Tiki Room.

The second newbie set is listed on shopDisney as “Mickey Mouse Cloth Face Masks 4-Pack Set” for $19.99. The current sizes available include Youth Small, Youth Medium, Adult Large, and Adult Extra Large. We just love the four different Mickey designs!

shopDisney continues to share: “Disney is committed to serving the communities where we live and work. During these challenging times, Disney is using the power of our timeless stories and beloved characters to address our guests’ needs for family-friendly reusable cloth face masks. Disney is donating one million cloth face masks for children and families in underserved and vulnerable communities across the U.S. that will be distributed by MedShare (www.medshare.org). Due to overwhelming demand, we’re thrilled to share that we have reached our goal of raising $1 million in profits from the sales of our cloth face masks, which will be donated to MedShare to support the medical community’s ongoing efforts to provide lifesaving care to those in need.”