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

[AmBear]

21 hours ago, geckoaz said:

I watched a youtube video about the reopening of las vegas hotels and casinos. A few observations 1. Sanitary seals on doors letting you know room cleaned. 2. Each room (mgm) had guest pack including an mgm face mask, finger key to punch elevators no more having to use elbows, hand saniizer and a stylus pen for phone. Masks were available for free in lobby. 3. Masks in elevator unless your whole group were only ones in elevator but masks up as door open. 4. People were not wearing masks by choice. 5. No masks in pool. Hotels at lower occupancy. Wonder if this is future of cruising. 

Hopefully yes, as masks worn by both people protect both people!

No I don't think they're comfortable, nor do i think its forever, likely sometime next year there will be a vaccine, but for the time being, it wouldn't shock me to see every business move to requiring masks for lawsuit protection!

[Organized Chaos]

Here's an aspect of this discussion that I don't think has been talked about yet. There's a thread featuring an article about some of the islands deciding to reopen this month and next month. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister said that part of their safety measures upon reopening could be to "require or encourage" the use of masks in public spaces. If you were required to wear a mask in public, would that cause any of you to have second thoughts about debarking at a port of call?

[TNcruising02]

7 minutes ago, Organized Chaos said:

Here's an aspect of this discussion that I don't think has been talked about yet. There's a thread featuring an article about some of the islands deciding to reopen this month and next month. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister said that part of their safety measures upon reopening could be to "require or encourage" the use of masks in public spaces. If you were required to wear a mask in public, would that cause any of you to have second thoughts about debarking at a port of call?

My biggest problem is that I don't want to wear a mask outside in the heat.  I don't have an issue with stores requiring them indoors, but wearing one in the heat of the summer isn't a vacation to me. I don't think they are necessary outside and won't go to a place where it is mandatory to wear them outside.  I can barely stand to wear the mask while grocery shopping.  I know some people don't mind the masks and can wear them all day without a care in the world.  That's just not me.

[skridge]

2 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

My biggest problem is that I don't want to wear a mask outside in the heat.  I don't have an issue with stores requiring them indoors, but wearing one in the heat of the summer isn't a vacation to me. I don't think they are necessary outside and won't go to a place where it is mandatory to wear them outside.  I can barely stand to wear the mask while grocery shopping.  I know some people don't mind the masks and can wear them all day without a care in the world.  That's just not me.

The ports of call seem to be in a worse quandary than the cruise lines.  Most of these places rely almost exclusively on tourists and specifically on cruise ships. The problem is if they let a bunch of mostly Americans onto there islands that may or may not have the virus, they are risking a tremendous outbreak.  The cruise lines are also taking a gamble when the passengers get off the ship they could pick up the virus and bring it back on the ship.  It is definitely a pickle for both entities.

[SRQbeachgirl]

Hopefully this new information from the World Health Organization will be confirmed through continued studies and mean an end to masks sooner rather than later, though there are still questions about who is really asymptomatic and who is just mildly ill.

 

"The spread of Covid-19 by someone who is not showing symptoms appears to be rare, Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization's technical lead for coronavirus response and head of the emerging diseases and zoonoses unit, said during a media briefing in Geneva on Monday."

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/08/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-spread-who-bn/index.html
 

Edited June 9, 2020 by SRQbeachgirl

[Saint Greg]

I think we’re going to be good if there isn’t another major outbreak between now and August. I’ve been in Galveston for a couple days. It was so packed yesterday. The beach. The bars. It was wall to wall people and  no masks at all. If we make it two more months like this, I think we’re good to go for cruises without masks.

 

Edited June 9, 2020 by Saint Greg

[Organized Chaos]

6 hours ago, TNcruising02 said:

My biggest problem is that I don't want to wear a mask outside in the heat.  I don't have an issue with stores requiring them indoors, but wearing one in the heat of the summer isn't a vacation to me. I don't think they are necessary outside and won't go to a place where it is mandatory to wear them outside.  I can barely stand to wear the mask while grocery shopping.  I know some people don't mind the masks and can wear them all day without a care in the world.  That's just not me.

 

I agree. I easily get hot as it is, but with the mask on, forget about it. I usually spend about a half hour grocery shopping and it's misery for me. Makes me that much hotter breathing in my own hot breath. I have to take it off now & again for minute or two just to get some fresh air. I start sweating and at that point I'm thinking, wait, are other people looking at me thinking I have a fever? LOL

 

I'm with you...if any ports of call make them mandatory outdoors, I'd just stay on the ship.

[Organized Chaos]

2 hours ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

Hopefully this new information from the World Health Organization will be confirmed through continued studies and mean an end to masks sooner rather than later, though there are still questions about who is really asymptomatic and who is just mildly ill.

 

The WHO's guidelines on masks are so much different than what we get from the CDC and state & local governments. The WHO basically says, wear one if you're a healthcare worker, if you have it, or if you care for someone who has it. Beyond that, there simply isn't enough data yet to ultimately determine the effectiveness of mask wearing as a means to combat the spread.

[Scratchrat]

The guidance from WHO has changed this week. They are now saying to wear face masks in populous areas.

 

https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/advice-on-the-use-of-masks-in-the-community-during-home-care-and-in-healthcare-settings-in-the-context-of-the-novel-coronavirus-(2019-ncov)-outbreak

[PhillyFan33579]

14 hours ago, Organized Chaos said:

Here's an aspect of this discussion that I don't think has been talked about yet. There's a thread featuring an article about some of the islands deciding to reopen this month and next month. The Antigua and Barbuda Tourism Minister said that part of their safety measures upon reopening could be to "require or encourage" the use of masks in public spaces. If you were required to wear a mask in public, would that cause any of you to have second thoughts about debarking at a port of call?

It wouldn’t bother me having to wear a mask if a port required it. Locally I only wear a mask at stores that require them, with Costco being the most common place I visit where you have to wear one, but it isn’t a big deal to me. 

 

I understand everyone is different, but wearing a mask bothers me far less than wearing a football helmet in my younger days and wearing a mouth guard as an adult when playing sports like flag football in the military that required you to wear one. 

 

The bottom line for me is whatever rules are implemented or not implemented concerning masks on ships and/or at ports will have no impact on my decision to go on a cruise hopefully sooner than later (I still have two cruises booked this year that haven’t been cancelled). Additionally, my wife works in the medical field so she wears a mask every day all day so wearing a mask is second nature to her. Modifying a frequent phrase I hear often, a day on a ship with a mask would beat a day on land without a mask. 

Edited June 9, 2020 by PhillyFan33579

[EllieinNJ]

1 hour ago, PhillyFan33579 said:

It wouldn’t bother me having to wear a mask if a port required it. Locally I only wear a mask at stores that require them, with Costco being the most common place I visit where you have to wear one, but it isn’t a big deal to me. 

 

I understand everyone is different, but wearing a mask bothers me far less than wearing a football helmet in my younger days and wearing a mouth guard as an adult when playing sports like flag football in the military that required you to wear one. 

 

The bottom line for me is whatever rules are implemented or not implemented concerning masks on ships and/or at ports will have no impact on my decision to go on a cruise hopefully sooner than later (I still have two cruises booked this year that haven’t been cancelled). Additionally, my wife works in the medical field so she wears a mask every day all day so wearing a mask is second nature to her. Modifying a frequent phrase I hear often, a day on a ship with a mask would beat a day on land without a mask. 

I also work in a hospital where I have to wear a mask 8 hours a day.  There is no way that I would go on a cruise where masks are required or at ports requiring masks.  That is no vacation. 

[Butterbean1000]

12 hours ago, SRQbeachgirl said:

Hopefully this new information from the World Health Organization will be confirmed through continued studies and mean an end to masks sooner rather than later, though there are still questions about who is really asymptomatic and who is just mildly ill.

 

"The spread of Covid-19 by someone who is not showing symptoms appears to be rare, Maria Van Kerkhove, the World Health Organization's technical lead for coronavirus response and head of the emerging diseases and zoonoses unit, said during a media briefing in Geneva on Monday."

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/06/08/health/coronavirus-asymptomatic-spread-who-bn/index.html
 

I read this yesterday.  I have suspected this all along. I have spoken to several of my doctors and they all basically said the same thing.  They all said if it makes you feel better/safer, then wear a mask.  If nothing else, it will make the other person feel safer about you.  I know there is a lot of different opinions out there and that adds to the hysteria.

Edited June 9, 2020 by Butterbean1000

[jetsfan58]

There are Country's where mask have been "mandatory" for decades due to pollution and keeping their citizens safe. 

 

Maybe my mind is a bit shallow but aren't we talking about safety and preserving "Life"?

 

If we continue to try and justify not mask for "protection" then I am going to recommend we all start researching a good mortuary business stock? If that sounds a bit morbid then "Please Wear Your Mask".      

 

Let's Get Cruising!!!

[jakeT]

Face masks protect the other person.  Think about carnival only doing three and four day cruises.    Not enough time to to see if everybody gets sick on the boat 

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

5 hours ago, EllieinNJ said:

I also work in a hospital where I have to wear a mask 8 hours a day.  There is no way that I would go on a cruise where masks are required or at ports requiring masks.  That is no vacation. 

If you feel no mask protection is needed to either party in a hospital, please express that to your supervisors.  I realize that a hospital setting is different than even a crowded cruise as far as average cases.  
 

Maybe you realize, but ignore that bringing up your situation in a hospital does not even pertain to cruises.  I work in an essential environment (no work lag ever).  Yes, less potential exposure but I wear my mask basically all the time ( yeah required but no gripes).  I follow guidelines and well if cruise lines think that’s what makes it safe to cruise I have the same choices of cancelling you do.  
 

Enjoy your cruise or alternative either way.

[ray98]

LOL.....I love how frequently this 'guidance' changes.  No one has a clue and 3/4 of the stuff they are asking people to do is just feel good measures.

[TNcruising02]

49 minutes ago, TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail said:

If you feel no mask protection is needed to either party in a hospital, please express that to your supervisors.  I realize that a hospital setting is different than even a crowded cruise as far as average cases.  
 

Maybe you realize, but ignore that bringing up your situation in a hospital does not even pertain to cruises.  I work in an essential environment (no work lag ever).  Yes, less potential exposure but I wear my mask basically all the time ( yeah required but no gripes).  I follow guidelines and well if cruise lines think that’s what makes it safe to cruise I have the same choices of cancelling you do.  
 

Enjoy your cruise or alternative either way.

I'm pretty sure that person meant that they have to wear a mask all day at work, so they would not like to take a vacation where they need to wear a mask because that isn't a fun vacation.

[PhillyFan33579]

38 minutes ago, ray98 said:

LOL.....I love how frequently this 'guidance' changes.  No one has a clue and 3/4 of the stuff they are asking people to do is just feel good measures.

 
The WHO is already back tracking on their comment about people without symptoms not likely to spread the virus. Between the WHO and CDC it is tough to know what the latest guidance is we should be following. I am usually not a big fan of I don’t know comments, but in this environment I think it would be better to say something similar to we just don’t know enough about this virus yet instead of consistently providing conflicting guidance. What these organizations say, especially the CDC, directly impacts the cruising industry. 

[TooManyWakeUpsTilWeSail]

25 minutes ago, TNcruising02 said:

I'm pretty sure that person meant that they have to wear a mask all day at work, so they would not like to take a vacation where they need to wear a mask because that isn't a fun vacation.

It’s not fun for them or me as I clearly stated. Glad they needed to point that out as I’m sure you’re  glad that even though CCL hasn’t provided guidelines we get constant reminders that folks won’t sail if masks are required.  Hope we both now understand each other’s point of view.

[Chief93]

I have been following this thread off and on since it started.  I think I commented once or twice.  

 

I just don't understand why this is such an emotional subject for so many.

 

I wear a mask at work as I'm required to, and I wear one when I go to the store because while I don't think it serves any purpose, it might, and in the end we are all stressed enough and i don't feel the need to stress out others.

 

A guy I work with sews, and he made some custom masks for us that have a place to slide in an N95 insert.  I wish I could add his website.  Anyway, he personalized mine with the phrase "BRUTUM FULMEN" which is awesome cuz most who see it think its my name.

 

I'm going on this next cruise.  Period.  Don't care what hoops I have to jump through.  I also respect the decision of those who choose not to.
""

[Organized Chaos]

The epidemiologist from the WHO (her comment was quoted earlier) has now backtracked a bit. She says about 16% of people who have it never show any symptoms at all (asymptomatic) and those people rarely transmit it to others. So that part is the same as her original statement. But now she's saying pretty much the same thing that the CDC is saying in regards to people who are pre-symptomatic. People are supposedly very contagious during the period before they begin to show symptoms. Meaning, they'll eventually develop symptoms, but before they do, they're still very contagious. If I'm not mistaken, the CDC is saying the period prior to showing symptoms is when people are often the most contagious.

 

A big problem with all that is, in the beginning, no one will know which group a person belongs to. The group of people who will eventually show symptoms and are very contagious before they do. Or the group of people who won't show any symptoms at all and rarely transmit the virus to others. For a short period of time, the two are indistinguishable.

 

When I go to Walmart or Sam's Club, there are a lot of people who aren't wearing masks. More as time goes by. I'm just glad that I live in an area where the people who are wearing masks don't shame or berate the ones who don't. I look around and everyone just goes about their business.

 

I'm of the opinion that we're just going to have to tackle this head on. It's not going away. There appears to be some instances of more cases developing, not because of the protests & riots, but because the country began opening up. It's going to happen. Staying locked down for another month, two, or more wasn't going to eradicate the virus, but it would cause irreparable damage to the nation.

 

And to the person who continues to post radical comments about how they think the rest of us should live, we're not a mask wearing culture and I don't want to see us become one on a permanent basis. Those countries that do that do so because of severe pollution and/or continued strings of uncontrolled (or lesser controlled) pathogens.

Edited June 10, 2020 by Organized Chaos

[soccersharon]

Love how compliant Canadians are, that's why you are still under English ruel and not independent, no offense have famly thier.
But why would people who have recovered from the virus have to wear a mask, just saying the numbers are growing. 
My opinion is if you are fearful of catching the virus stay off the ship and let those of us who don't want to live in fear enjoy life.

Canada is not under "English rule". We have our own Constitution, parliament, laws, etc. We are still members of the British Commonwealth, however (as is Australia, New Zealand, etc.).

I will agree with you, however, that Canadians are more apt to follow rules (although some will not). We are more trusting of our government and health officials.


Past cruises:
Carnival Pride - Nov 2019 *Plat Cruise
Carnival Paradise - Aug 2018
Carnival Vista - Repo - Nov 2016
Carnival Breeze - Sept 2014 & Feb 2019 
Carnival Conquest - Dec 2015
NCL Epic - Nov 2013 *Review*
Carnival Liberty - Nov 2010 ,Mar 2012 & Dec 2012 
Carnival Valor - Nov 2008

Coming up:

Carnival Horizon - April 2022 - ABC cruise

[dallasdan]

On 6/8/2020 at 9:23 PM, Saint Greg said:

I think we’re going to be good if there isn’t another major outbreak between now and August. I’ve been in Galveston for a couple days. It was so packed yesterday. The beach. The bars. It was wall to wall people and  no masks at all. If we make it two more months like this, I think we’re good to go for cruises without masks.

 

 

I would say in Texas by my unscientific count, less than 10% of the people are wearing masks.  And the ones wearing a mask do not shame people for not wearing one.

[bobsfamily]

I've been to 2 casinos (land based) in the past couple weeks... one was masks all the time except for in your room or while dining, you can take a drink by lifting up the mask but right back down... no smoking anywhere in the casino. Very nice place but about 1/3 of the slots were open and no buffet (good I think).

 

The 2nd casino was smaller but still a nice place... masks while you were playing table games, that's it.  Smoking/drinking allowed (about 1/3 was non-smoking but it's been that way for a while).

 

2 different states, 2 different set of rules.  2nd casino was much busier (even with being smaller) with lots of fun being had.  1st casino was very muted and not as fun. 

 

Hopefully by the time our cruise comes along the masks will be optional. Where I live that's the rule.

BTW rules seem to be almost as crazy as life right now.  Where I live you can have 8 people to a table at a eatery (or bar) BUT if you stand up you are supposed to be 6' apart...  No one does that....

Edited June 10, 2020 by bobsfamily

[TNcruising02]

I know people are working on a very rapid results test that can determine if someone has contracted the disease within the prior 24 hours.  Hopefully, that will be the kind of test the cruise ships can use if they decide to test everyone before boarding.  It almost sounds like they plan to just have the test available.