Before Krysta White heads to her job as an attraction host at the Animal Kingdom Park in Orlando, Fla., she takes her temperature at home. The 32-year-old makes sure she’s feeling well, checking ag…
Dr. Anne Rimoin, a professor of epidemiology at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health and the leader of the UCLA COVID-19 Rapid Response Initiative, says it is a “terrible idea to be opening right now,” particularly as the number of coronavirus cases are surging in Florida. The state, which as of Thursday recorded 232,718 coronavirus cases and over 4,000 deaths so far, recently extended the state of emergency for another 60 days.
“I’m always going to be apprehensive,” she said. “If I’m not sitting inside my house, I’m going be apprehensive. But what I can tell you is that I can’t think of anything that Disney could have possibly done to make this a safer situation for the cast members. I think that they did all the right things.”
He understands that some people may not yet feel comfortable visiting the theme parks, but Disney’s employees don’t have the luxury of that option. At the parks, new hand washing stations have popped up and there is “hand sanitizer everywhere,” said Henry. He and his colleagues responsibly socially distance at lunchtime — where before there were five co-workers at a break-room table chatting about their day, there is now more likely to be one person sitting solo, talking to a co-worker another table over, he said.
Meanwhile, testing for the virus has become a contentious issue. Disney is not offering its park employees COVID-19 tests, but multiple sources say that the company-provided insurance covers testing, should cast members seek it out on their own. According to a person familiar with the situation, Disney has evaluated the idea of testing and is instead focusing on other prevention measures that include reduced attendance levels, social distancing, masks, increased cleaning, and temperature checks.
,” understands the emotional significance of visiting the theme parks. But the timing of going to Disney World, while the country is “literally in the grips of the pandemic… is a questionable idea.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Everything You Need to Know about Disney World's ReopeningDisney World is reopening this weekend for the first time since the pandemic started, and here's what you need to know about it.
Read more »
Disney World union head warns Disney has to get Florida reopening rightThe head of the union representing 43,000 Walt Disney World service workers said that Disney 'has to get it right' in regard to its phased Florida reopening Saturday
Read more »
Disney World still plans to reopen this weekend, despite surge in coronavirus casesOne family said its precautionary measures will include leaving shoes outside their Disney villa, removing and washing all their clothes upon return each day, and carrying plastic bags for used masks.
Read more »
Disney confident in reopening this week even as coronavirus cases reach new highs in FloridaWalt Disney World will reopen in Orlando, Florida on Saturday amid a growing number of Covid-19 cases within the state.
Read more »