Face masks Onboard?? Yes or No --- merged thread

[thesmiths]

3 hours ago, Butterbean1000 said:

   Age and physical condition makes a huge difference.  

 

And the type of mask.

[seawolf74]

Being very concerned about the current situation, I wanted to share my opinion. While safety is the first priority, going on a cruise ship has always been the mos relaxed and indulgente way of traveling. As much as I wish to travel as soon as possible, being forced to wear a mask, keep social distance, the absence of the buffet restaurants on board... I do agree that the measures are necessary but myself I would prefer to wait this year and travel in 2021 when the situation is more predictable and back to normal. 

[jetsfan58]

None of us have this magical crystal ball that will tell us when we can cruise again. If in 2021 things are not back to what we one knew as "normal' and we are "required" to wear mask then does that mean you won't cruise anymore?       

[jetsfan58]

To me it's a simple equation. Wear the mask to protect you and others around you. It comes down to plain logic: either you increase or decrease the possibility of being infected. 

 

Wearing a mask is a personal choice for now. If you see me and you are not wearing your mask then I am certainly not being rude when I don't acknowledge you up close. From a distance I will say "Hello".   

[devinc]

Im looking forward to spending a lot of "mask free" time on the balcony this Sept. 

[Organized Chaos]

Cruise ship buffets aren't going anywhere. They are one of the best methods to distribute large amounts of food to thousands of people in a relatively quick manner. If you haven't already done so, there are a couple threads that feature interviews with Carnival Corp. CEO/Pres. Arnold Donald. One is a two-part video and the other is an interview done with Cruise Critic. They are well worth watching/reading. In part, he was asked about buffets and he basically said he doesn't seem them going away, but they'll make changes if necessary, such as crew members serving the food instead of self-service. I was on the last Horizon cruise before the shutdown and they had already implemented that. It wasn't bad at all. It was still quick service and my portions were almost always enough. If they weren't, I simply asked for a little more and they were happy to oblige.

 

If some people are so convinced that their masks fully protect them from the virus, then why do they care if others don't wear one? You're protected, right? Right? People should be able to choose for themselves and shouldn't be shamed by others for not wearing one. My opinions of the organization aside, I recommend you read about masks on the WHO website. It's much different than what we get from the CDC. They admit that there's simply not enough data to know if masks do any good. There are factors at play that can cause masks to make matters worse, not better. They say that healthcare workers should definitely wear them, as well as those who have COVID or are taking care of someone with it, but beyond that, there is no definitive yes or no.

[Illbcruzn4life]

9 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

 

If some people are so convinced that their masks fully protect them from the virus, then why do they care if others don't wear one? You're protected, right? Right? People should be able to choose for themselves and shouldn't be shamed by others for not wearing one. My opinions of the organization aside, I recommend you read about masks on the WHO website. It's much different than what we get from the CDC. They admit that there's simply not enough data to know if masks do any good. There are factors at play that can cause masks to make matters worse, not better. They say that healthcare workers should definitely wear them, as well as those who have COVID or are taking care of someone with it, but beyond that, there is no definitive yes or no.

 

At the hospital where I work we were told just the opposite. The mask does not protect you, it protects others from you. This was info from the CDC and not WHO.

[Organized Chaos]

2 minutes ago, Illbcruzn4life said:

At the hospital where I work we were told just the opposite. The mask does not protect you, it protects others from you. This was info from the CDC and not WHO.

 

Yes, that's been the current narrative. One that I don't necessarily believe in because if it can stop the virus from passing through from the inside out, then it should also be able to stop it from passing from the outside in. For weeks in March & April, we were told NOT to wear masks. The lead doctors, the CDC, the Surgeon General, etc. They all said it. My point was, no one knows for sure, but indicators do still exist to show that, in some cases, masks make things worse for the public. I'm talking about masks in public places. I think hospitals are a different story.

[TNcruising02]

I think the point with WHO is that they don't see a need for healthy people to wear a mask. They recommend masks for sick people or for someone caring for a sick person, I believe.  I tend to agree because if I am not coughing or sneezing, no droplets are being spewed from my mouth into the air.   As far as a person with no symptoms giving the virus to someone, I think that's still up in the air.  

Thankfully, it's up to each state to make their rules.  My state has nearly 7 million people and less than 350 deaths from the virus so my state must be doing something right.  For someone in a hot spot to tell the rest of the country what they need to do is very arrogant.  I live in a state with a reasonable government for a reason.  Some people wear masks where I live and some don't.  It's fine.  If our state has a huge problem in the future, then they may change their recommendations.  People from other areas don't need to TELL other people what they should do.  It's up to each state, as it should be.  BTW, I wear a mask while shopping and when required in certain businesses.  Not a problem.

Edited May 29, 2020 by TNcruising02

[Illbcruzn4life]

58 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

Yes, that's been the current narrative. One that I don't necessarily believe in because if it can stop the virus from passing through from the inside out, then it should also be able to stop it from passing from the outside in. For weeks in March & April, we were told NOT to wear masks. The lead doctors, the CDC, the Surgeon General, etc. They all said it. My point was, no one knows for sure, but indicators do still exist to show that, in some cases, masks make things worse for the public. I'm talking about masks in public places. I think hospitals are a different story.

 

I am sure it does protect both ways but a person without a mask coughs or sneezes near you the droplets can still get in your eyes if you are wearing a mask.

[Chief93]

3 hours ago, devinc said:

Im looking forward to spending a lot of "mask free" time on the balcony this Sept. 

 

While your choice of professional sports teams is certainly suspect, I agree completely with your post.  I hope you get to go, I'm a little worried about my October 10 cruise.

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

Glad everyone can post their opinion & speculation here.  Maybe not.  

[geckoaz]

Mask or social distsncing or a mix? Mask in theater and casino (might be no smoking.)..mask on elevators. Social distance eating..bars..i think there will be a mix on the ship.  Sunbathing? Topless might mean no mask.  

Edited May 30, 2020 by geckoaz

[coevan]

13 hours ago, geckoaz said:

(might be no smoking.).

 

😂😂😂

[jetsfan58]

I am not a smoker but I understand the rights of people who do smoke. A Smoke Free Gambling Casino would be a welcomed site.

[Organized Chaos]

20 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

I think the point with WHO is that they don't see a need for healthy people to wear a mask. They recommend masks for sick people or for someone caring for a sick person, I believe.  I tend to agree because if I am not coughing or sneezing, no droplets are being spewed from my mouth into the air.   As far as a person with no symptoms giving the virus to someone, I think that's still up in the air.  

Thankfully, it's up to each state to make their rules.  My state has nearly 7 million people and less than 350 deaths from the virus so my state must be doing something right.  For someone in a hot spot to tell the rest of the country what they need to do is very arrogant.  I live in a state with a reasonable government for a reason.  Some people wear masks where I live and some don't.  It's fine.  If our state has a huge problem in the future, then they may change their recommendations.  People from other areas don't need to TELL other people what they should do.  It's up to each state, as it should be.  BTW, I wear a mask while shopping and when required in certain businesses.  Not a problem.

 

As time goes on and more & more data comes in, we're beginning to see that this thing is a lot like influenza. The overall death rate is pretty much the same. The elderly and those with underlying health conditions are the ones most affected and account for a vast majority of the deaths. The death rate for children 0-18 is virtually zero and they're not even convinced that children are capable of transmitting the virus to others. The death rate for a vast majority of adults into their 40's is very low, too. One thing about this virus is that it seems to be more contagious, but statistically speaking, the risk to most people is low. For those who are more at risk, my all means take necessary precautions.

 

I wish I could say I live in a state with a reasonable government, but that's far from the truth. Our governor believes in the one-size-fits-all method. The biggest city is a major hotspot, of course; whereas, the rest of the state remains fairly low, and even non-existent in many areas. But he rules over the entire state based on the hotspot. However, if things go as planned, we'll be calling your state home one of these days because we've had enough. That time can't come soon enough.

[TNcruising02]

10 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

 

As time goes on and more & more data comes in, we're beginning to see that this thing is a lot like influenza. The overall death rate is pretty much the same. The elderly and those with underlying health conditions are the ones most affected and account for a vast majority of the deaths. The death rate for children 0-18 is virtually zero and they're not even convinced that children are capable of transmitting the virus to others. The death rate for a vast majority of adults into their 40's is very low, too. One thing about this virus is that it seems to be more contagious, but statistically speaking, the risk to most people is low. For those who are more at risk, my all means take necessary precautions.

 

I wish I could say I live in a state with a reasonable government, but that's far from the truth. Our governor believes in the one-size-fits-all method. The biggest city is a major hotspot, of course; whereas, the rest of the state remains fairly low, and even non-existent in many areas. But he rules over the entire state based on the hotspot. However, if things go as planned, we'll be calling your state home one of these days because we've had enough. That time can't come soon enough.

I have a lot of sympathy for people who live in areas that are run by governments that do not agree with their values.  

If there was no vaccine for the flu, I think it would have the same number of deaths.  However, the flu is very deadly to all ages and to people with all health conditions. With this virus, we at least have a good idea which people are higher risk and should take precautions.  I really have my doubts about people with absolutely no symptoms being able to spread the virus by their mere breathing.  Maybe it's possible, but it will be very interesting to see the data a year from now.  Until that time, I'm not going to panic or stay locked in my house until a vaccine.

[geckoaz]

If one lucky to live in a place of few cases and opened economy that is great .however cruise ships have cruisers from all over the states and world. For example i would not fly to nyc right now but cruisers from nyc might be on the ship. So i think we all have to recall that ship life is not like home life. 

[TNcruising02]

25 minutes ago, geckoaz said:

If one lucky to live in a place of few cases and opened economy that is great .however cruise ships have cruisers from all over the states and world. For example i would not fly to nyc right now but cruisers from nyc might be on the ship. So i think we all have to recall that ship life is not like home life. 

That's a great point.  Also, people often travel through international airports.  Nobody really knows what it will be like in August or September.  All we can do is hope for the best.

[chipmaster]

On 5/28/2020 at 5:33 AM, PhillyFan33579 said:

According to this forum, it appears there are going to be a lot of cancellations when the CDC likely makes wearing masks mandatory to some degree when cruise lines resume operations. The CDC has already placed way too much blame on the cruise lines for this pandemic in my opinion. Based on this, I don’t see a situation where the CDC allows cruises to resume later this year without making masks mandatory, assuming cruses resume in the first place. 

 

I hope all those that wont wear mask don't come, good for me!  Lots of cancellations, no bookings, and then good deals for me. 

 

I guess the huge percentage that don't want to wear mask really says something a bit more 😉

Edited May 31, 2020 by chipmaster

[HaveWeMetYet]

1 hour ago, chipmaster said:

 

I hope all those that wont wear mask don't come, good for me!  Lots of cancellations, no bookings, and then good deals for me. 

 

I guess the huge percentage that don't want to wear mask really says something a bit more 😉

You won't be going on a cruise if a mask is required. The cruise lines will all be in liquidation bankruptcy. Cruise lines are not going to survive on a handful of bookworms that sit in their cabin for 7 days reading a book.

[salty dingo]

Masks are not an issue. Here's why:

• You can't sip a drink wearing one
• They still let viruses through for you to catch ill, but they do contain your sneezes and coughs so you do not spread your disease to others
• Tan lines on your face
• In all seriousness, there is not enough room on a ship for people to have adequate social distance and the cruise lines to be profitable offering affordable cruises. Until there is a vaccine I would not consider a cruise. No cruise, no mask, no problem.

[MsTabbyKats]

9 minutes ago, salty dingo said:

Masks are not an issue. Here's why:

• You can't sip a drink wearing one
• They still let viruses through for you to catch ill, but they do contain your sneezes and coughs so you do not spread your disease to others
• Tan lines on your face
• In all seriousness, there is not enough room on a ship for people to have adequate social distance and the cruise lines to be profitable offering affordable cruises. Until there is a vaccine I would not consider a cruise. No cruise, no mask, no problem.

Yeah...I and I like your last line.  It may become my mantra.

[jetsfan58]

Saw where someone is working on a prototype mask that will allow chewing and swallowing? Covid has been a very serious issue but it will and has increased awareness and creativity.  Let's see what happens.

[WAMarathoner]

So the latest clickbait article from cruisecritic has RCCL "probably" requiring them, and Carnival NOT requiring them.  That works for me.  Those of you who want to spend thousands of dollars on a vacation that stifles your breathing, head on over to RCCL where you'll be accommodated.  The rest of us will enjoy our Princess and Carnival cruises.