Shanghai Disneyland will close in effort to contain coronavirus

Lord Gonchar said:

Assuming "get through this" means creating enough immunity to not have to worry any more about Coronavirus than we do any other virus, then there's absolutely no reason for anything to change.

I can think of some things that might change, at least for me. I expect I will:

• have a new appreciation for which jobs are "essential" and which are not.
• understand that I depend on others and they on me in ways I never did before.
• be more willing to spend a few dollars to buy something locally when possible.
• better appreciate a walk in the park as entertainment.
• mourn some people close to me who die.

Well, that's how individuals might be changed, but I'm not sure that's in the spirit of the original comment.

If we're truly past this, there's no reason we can't go back to queues at the amusement park, for example.

Lord Gonchar said:
Assuming "get through this" means creating enough immunity to not have to worry any more about Coronavirus than we do any other virus, then there's absolutely no reason for anything to change... I'm just amazed at how many people are already willingly accepting this idea.

"Acceptance" implies that there's some feeling involved and it's not all just math. But it's all just math. The world and the virus have already shown us what "denial" as opposed to "acceptance" gets us.

Jeff said:

I don't see a world where regional parks open this year. I don't see how it could be a safe activity.

Oh man. Just when I get an e-mail from Six Flags saying they are giving me a complementary upgrade on my membership for the year.

Jeff said:

"Acceptance" implies that there's some feeling involved and it's not all just math. But it's all just math. The world and the virus have already shown us what "denial" as opposed to "acceptance" gets us.

So if the math says, "We're past this." then any changes in day-to-day stuff are simply based on feeling.

Which is kind of my point. If we're really "past this", then any change isn't based on anything other than irrational fear...and too many people seem to be ok with it already.

As expected, Ohio stay-at-home extended until May 1st.

Lord Gonchar said:

Assuming "get through this" means creating enough immunity to not have to worry any more about Coronavirus than we do any other virus, then there's absolutely no reason for anything to change.

I think there will be different degrees of "get through this." I'm sure there will be some point at which we can all stand on top of each other in a crowd, waiting for World of Color to start, but that point might be 2-3 years down the road, once a vaccine is widely distributed. There will probably be some intermediate stage where some activities are okay because of the risk/benefit (going back to the office, for instance) but other (sporting events) are not and other intermediate stages where modified versions of activities are allowed/encouraged (go play pick up basketball in your neighborhood park, but only 5 people at a time or whatever). I don't know that there will be major permanent structural changes to society (the infrastructure just isn't set up for that) but I bet some habits will be permanently changed - washing hands, covering coughs, etc. And people will take seriously the threat of another pandemic and understand what scientists' recommendations mean and why they're important.

There were people whose habits were permanently changed during the depression or the world wars to that point that old ladies in my church have reused coffee grounds 4 times (we have to secretly throw them away) because "it's a waste to just use them once."

Lord Gonchar said:

But people are generally scared and reactionary, so you're probably right.

I'm just amazed at how many people are already willingly accepting this idea.

Same nonsense after 9/11, if it's in the name of safety then I'm all for it, even when there are no measurable benefits. You will see the same nonsense with this event. This is the same way in which many countries have transitioned into dictatorships.

ApolloAndy said:

There were people whose habits were permanently changed during the depression or the world wars to that point that old ladies in my church have reused coffee grounds 4 times (we have to secretly throw them away) because "it's a waste to just use them once."

We might be saving our coffee grounds as well once this all plays out.

Legoland New York has pushed their grand opening from July 4th to 2021. Although driving by the site a while back, they looked kind of behind to hit the July date anyway. So maybe chalk this one into the same pile as the Coronavirus has delayed the Avatar sequels or Coronavirus cancels the XFL headlines.

TheMillenniumRider said:

Same nonsense after 9/11, if it's in the name of safety then I'm all for it, even when there are no measurable benefits. You will see the same nonsense with this event. This is the same way in which many countries have transitioned into dictatorships.

I don't think they are really the same thing. Returning to our normal lives after 9/11 didn't really increase our chances of death. Instead it was essentially a big middle finger to Osama Bin Laden. Viruses don't operate the same.

It remains to be seen if our behaviors will change once Covid-19 runs it course. I'd suspect most of our behavior changes will be subtle but there are too many unknowns. The longer this drags out the more time it's going to take the travel and amusement industry to get back to "normal".

Mulfinator said:

RCMAC said:

Sports reruns are just sad to me, but they’re happening.

I'm the opposite. The NBC Sports Channel in Chicago has been broadcasting classic games from the 1996 Bulls, 2010 Blackhawks, and 2005 White Sox. It's much better than the current versions of those teams.

Here in the DC area, NBCSN has been broadcasting "virtual" Capitals games to match their season's schedule; that is, EA Sports NHL 20 video game simulation games...complete with the local play-by-play and color commentators out of their respective homes. It's actually pretty entertaining.

The Wizards are doing the same, but no one cares about them.

The Indians are 6-1 with our daily Strat-o-Matic simulations. Figures this is the year they really start hot.

Mulfinator said:

TheMillenniumRider said:

Same nonsense after 9/11, if it's in the name of safety then I'm all for it, even when there are no measurable benefits. You will see the same nonsense with this event. This is the same way in which many countries have transitioned into dictatorships.

I don't think they are really the same thing. Returning to our normal lives after 9/11 didn't really increase our chances of death.

No, it’s not the same thing. I think this will be worse. We’ve been taking our shoes, belts, and jackets off at airports for just shy of 20 years. For almost 20 years we’ve been a society that bought into the idea that our hand sanitizer outside of a clear plastic bag is a danger to the public.

It’s not hard at all for me to imagine a permanent change in behavior from all of this. The longer it goes on, the deeper the scar. That’s the human condition. If nothing changes, we’ll never be “safe” from it happening again. That’s people.

I still think the parks will be able to salvage a portion of their season - especially those that run through Halloween and Christmas. With a park like Cedar Point, given the popularity of Halloweekends, even a season that doesn't start until July 4th or later would still be worth trying to save for the Halloweekends revenue.

It may look a little different and may not be staffed at optimal levels, but I don't see the major players in seasonal parks throwing in the towel, even if they wind up being a primarily fall destination with an August preview this year.

Carrie J. said:

It’s not hard at all for me to imagine a permanent change in behavior from all of this. The longer it goes on, the deeper the scar. That’s the human condition. If nothing changes, we’ll never be “safe” from it happening again. That’s people.

I had to make a trip to the grocery store yesterday to get a few essential items. Each visit to the store since the Ohio Stay at Home directive was issued, I've recognized the way we do things less and less. It's almost like a completely foreign culture to me.

When I got home I explained to my 11 year old that he's going to tell his kids how he remembers going food shopping and not having a plastic barrier between the cashier and the customer.

I'm serious, what's the incentive to take these barriers down when this is all over? I agree with you Carrie, I believe we are going to see some really stark changes that will remain in place.

Carrie J. said:
If nothing changes, we’ll never be “safe” from it happening again. That’s people.

But do you think that's a reasonable response?

Just trying to gauge the personal take because I don't disagree. But I do think it will be an unreasnable, overreactionary, scared response that's not at all necessary.

We (or "you" or "they") live in fear and value safety over everything. I couldn't disagree more...and have been from the start.

I mean, how many of us agree that it should be "different' moving forward after we've eliminated the COVID-19 threat (or reduced it to similar to any viral threat)?

Sometimes I read **** online and it's like bizarro world. I'm not anywhere near disinfecting my shoes or leaving my groceries in the driveway or weird **** like that.

Just me? (and I'm not looking for a lecture or argument - just curious - if you want to talk down to me for not being a-scared enough, move along)

Lord Gonchar said:But do you think that's a reasonable response?

I think that's the point...it will be as reasonable as not being able to bring toiletries over 3.5 ounces (or whatever it is) on a flight.

I think of it like this, for each of us there is a chance that a tiger will come into our yards and eat our children. If I can convince you that this possibility exists, I can now offer you a solution, I will spray your yard with tiger repellent for a fee and eliminate this (absurdly small) risk.

All of that sounds incredibly stupid, but here is the best part. Once I begin spraying your yard and you have no further tiger related incidents, I can now claim that it is because of my service, I have saved you. Even though the tiger was never coming in the first place.

These changes to society are sold to us to inhibit risk, and probably a really small risk, however once we accept, now it is sold to us that because of these policies that the incident does not occur instead of the fact that the incident probably wouldn't have occurred anyway. This is the whole basis of the TSA, and likely what is going to happen after all of this settles. None of September 11th policies and changes have protected us, there just haven't been any terrorists (or governments depending on your beliefs) that have planned to create another attack of this scale. Once someone decides to, there are always ways to circumvent the system, anyone who works in IT knows this fact.

What is the chance that any of us will live to see something of this nature happen again? Probably next to nothing. However I can guarantee that the mass majority stands up and says protect me, take whatever you want, just tell me I'm safe. There are a slew of people who stand to make a buck off of this.

Short of everyone wearing a respirator when going outside and not making contact with any common items or others, disease will always spread and adapt.

TLDR: Changing our way of life is stupid, we have existed and grown as a species just fine for centuries. Deal with the issue at hand, then resume our lives as we have in the past.

Vater said:

Lord Gonchar said: But do you think that's a reasonable response?

I think that's the point...it will be as reasonable as not being able to bring toiletries over 3.5 ounces (or whatever it is) on a flight.

Gonch, of course not. But equally unreasonable to me is pretending that it won't be the reality. It's just the way people are. It's ridiculous, yes. But it's also real and predictable.

Vater, exactly! I now have pre-check, but I am always one part resentful of the charade that has become air travel security and, truthfully, one part in awe that everyone goes along with it like sheep without question. It's fascinating on some level.

Carrie J. said:
in awe that everyone goes along with it like sheep without question. It's fascinating on some level.

Indeed...but what choice do we have? Other than paying for pre-check or not flying, that is.