It’s inevitable. You’ll have to hear about it. Even when it comes to Walt Disney World.
Of course when it comes to Walt Disney World you’ll be hearing about this. The top vacation destination in the world, drawing visitors daily from all over the world, where better to be cautious, right?
Reuters is running a story on the impact of the possible pandemic entitled, “Disney World still draws crowds despite flu alert”. It seems that despite Joe Biden’s assertion that he wouldn’t let his family travel on an airplane, most others aren’t worried about the possibility of infection.
For the most part. Disboards has a popular thread going currently about precautions those visiting the World should be taking in light of the epidemic. The conversation, like most message board conversations, takes numerous paths with suggestions on brands of anti-bacterial lotion, to how that doesn’t really work, to talk on individual immune systems.
One thread in particular has a concerned guest ready to cancel reservations in fear that Disney will close.
Disboard poster WillCAD possibly had the best words of wisdom: “Panic kills more people than flu does.”
The best way to combat this is the same way you combat all illness: preparation and cleanliness.
- Always wash your hands. Here’s my routine for handwashing. Turn faucet on, procure towel at this point if possible, wet hands, get soap, grab extended towel, turn off faucet with towel. Then, grab the door handle with towel, toss towel. The door handle of the bathroom can completely negate your handwashing. Always use a paper towel to pull the handle.
- Sneeze and cough into the crook of your elbow. This keeps you from expelling germs all over your hands.
- Hand sanitizer won’t kill many viruses, if any, but it’s not a bad thing to have for other germs that can get into your system. It WILL NOT, however, replace hand washing.
- When you wash your hands, use warm water. As hot as you can stand it. But, of course, don't burn yourself. It has to be said.
- When you get to your resort, disinfect your room immediately. Bring Lysol wipes or spray (look for the ones that mention killing flu virus specifically). Spray down hard surfaces such as the phone, the nightstand, headboards, bathroom vanity, etc. For porous surfaces such as fabrics, this won’t work. Ditch any unneeded, bulky linens (such as bed comforter) which are sometimes not washed in between visits (it’s true).
- Be mindful of what you’re touching. If you don’t need to touch that wall, don’t.
Honestly, there are many more. This comes from being a big of a germaphobe and some might be even considered extreme, but any avoidance of foreign germs is always helpful. You shouldn’t consider these things to only be relevant during an outbreak, but also at any time.
Oh and parents – please, teach your children to cover their coughs and sneezes. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been sneezed or coughed on by a child. It’s just good practice to teach your child from a young age how to be a responsible adult.
