But you can still see them with a mask on. I had to take my DS14 to the eye doctor. Masks and glasses is tough so we were getting contacts. The light in his eyes was pure magic. I could still see his happiness even with the mask on.
As for the dining rule, you still get to see your family while eating. They are just asking to mask up while you wait.
Iām so glad that I was able to raise some awareness. That was my intent.
Iāve been thinking about this for hours now. Iāve never thought about it like that, but I can now see how some people might. For me, seeing and hearing about people who do not wear masks (for all sorts of varied reasons) gives me hope that this will end. If it is not tolerable to enough people, it cannot continue indefinitely. For what itās worth, I think itās really important to think about and hear about why people are refusing āon principleā. I suspect that there are many people who donāt feel completely well when wearing a mask. Iām also pretty sure that almost no one is looking to hurt others. I think there are simply different beliefs about the best way to help and protect others.
You are correct, both about the MA and the incredibly hard. Iāve learned to try to maintain focus on what is still in my life and to try to avoid reminders of what cannot be. Now I am home nearly all the time. In the spring I will go back to taking walks and taking my kids to the park and for bike rides, as there is a medical exception from the mask mandate in outdoor public places. Itās stressful because people can be mean, but I was trying to make myself go outside anyway because itās important.
In other relevant newsā¦
Will Florida follow suit?
YES! Finally. Thank you for this thoughtful and inclusive response free from judgment rather than a moral lecture. And in your case, I hope things are safe enough as soon as possible so we can all move forward without masks. Iām sorry they have caused so much difficulty for you.
I thought they already didnāt have a mandate, just recommendation, other than some of the larger counties and cities but without enforceable penalties.
You are probably right. My info on FL is certainly Disney-centric. and Disney has created their own enhanced safety measures. I fear that major lessening of restrictions before mass vaccination is a bit risky, and Iām hoping that DIsney keeps masks/distancing somewhat enforced until a much higher percentage of people are vaccinated (fingers crossed that is not too much longer).
It is. I think those wanting restrictions lifted earlier need to be honest and admit itās risky but worth the risk and then explain why.
That seems to be a safe bet. Based on how theyāve handled everything since reopening, I doubt they would drastically change course and do anything the majority of their employees and customers would deem premature.
Thank you for sharing your alternative view.
I look forward to you being able to take walks to the park again soon. Itās good to get some fresh air and a bit of sunshine.
I know it can be stressful, especially when people can be so incredibly mean. What I am trying to remember is that no one knows your journey in life. And their intolerance, no matter what form, is more to do with their own insecurities than anything else. Itās a projection of them, not you.
Thatās something I hope my child learns as he goes back outside after being isolated with us this past year. Heās going to come face to face with the kids of our āfriendsā and neighbors who have been mocking us being in isolation. Iām going to tell him the same thing. If people are being mean just to be mean, itās a reflection of them, not him.
It might not be true in every city/town but I have noticed many people have stopped wearing a mask, on their own, outside- at least in the last 4 weeks or so. Many will hold it in their hands, or wear it on their chins to pull up if they will be close to others.
Thatās terrible that people have been mocking you. This is a hard time for everyone, and being respectful of a spectrum of choices is so critical.
Iām assuming this is me? Me and the family had Covid in January and the state of PA says we have immunity for 90 days and cannot be contagious. Iām sorry for not clarifying earlier.
Hopefully if an individual CM is uncomfortable with a guest for removing masks too soon, they can ask them to put it back on til the drinks are out.
We are waiting for the mask mandate at WDW to end before we return. We are in the planning stages for mid-late 2022.
Since March 2020 we have attended only four indoor restaurants in PA. After we were seated, we removed our masks as other diners had and not once were we asked by a server to put it back on.
If its important, Iām thinking Disney should hire lunch momās to keep everyone masked so CMās can concentrate on serving and not being a mask-policemen.
I think I remembered that you had covid and am very happy you all recovered!!! Our family has lost two members to C-19. I was disturbed that you would challenge the new wording, or rewording to spell it out for ppl, of the mask ADR rule at all b/c I donāt think that any CM should be put in the position of a possible exposure or confrontation w/ a guest when the rule had been made clear. Iām certain you would listen and respect them if redirected but you knew the new wording and challenged it despite that knowledge. When my DH and I were at Rix a month or so ago our server was visibly nervous and uncomfortable. We both put our masks on any time she was at the table to try and make her feel better; she never asked us to. We have only dined indoors 2x and leave our masks on until food arrives and put them back on after finishing a meal; we actually do this if we are dinning outdoors too.
Since this came up here, I also would like to extend my sincere apology to you especially, and to the forum in general, for my reaction to your original comment (system wouldnāt let me send a private message). The bullying method I chose to disagree and get my point across was wrong, and it does not meet the standard and values I hold myself to. Covid has affected us all in different ways, and we all just want it to be over. Some of the collateral damage of it is that it can turn good people against each other if we let it. Our different experiences with it, mixed with other deeply held personal views, can cause disagreements on how to get to that finish line and back to normal life, but I hope any future exchanges on controversial or heavy topics will be more respectful from all involved, that multiple views will be welcomed to an appropriate extent and that weāre able to listen to each other better with an open mind. I think I can safely say that no one here wants a Disney CM or anyone else to be harmed or feel uncomfortable in any way.
I want to āheartā this more than allowed.
I admire your poise and the way you can so eloquently get your point across, in a much better way that I usually express myself. Like I said, I emotion first, then logic. I didnāt notice you losing your temper, but I was lost in defending my friends as well, so maybe I chose not to see it.
I also hope we can continue to have respectful discussions where everyone can express their opinions without feeling attacked, on either side of the debate.
I think one thing to remember is that the server CM is most likely relying on your tip to make ends meet. That gives you, as the customer, a power advantage. So, even if the server feels unsafe, they may not say anything. They do not know how you will react.
I realize I did not choose my words wisely, Iām sorry. What I was basically saying was to test this apparent new rule by getting an on the ground report. And, of course I would have gladly put the mask back on if asked. (I do listen to instructions)
I understand this thought, thank you for sharing. My DW is VERY observant, much more than I am. We never noticed anyone even slightly uncomfortable all week. But quite the opposite, ALL the CMās this week were so care free. In fact, again today at Sci-Fi our hostess reminded us that we can take our masks off when we did not immediately take them off when getting into our car. And a server from the car next to us also told his guests that they can take them off.
So long story short, absolutely no one cares about this supposed ānew policyā. Iām not even sure if a memo went out to CMās.
Regarding fellow guests being uncomfortable, I didnāt encounter anyone near us in line complain about not distancing all week long. And believe me, parties were too close together more often than not this week.
I donāt think thatās as reassuring as you intend it to be. Silence isnāt agreement.
Masks and distancing create a lot of conflict, people have been killed over it. So even if people are uncomfortable, they are unlikely to say anything.
NOT trying to start anything again. I was really angry yesterday at the man behind me in the popcorn line ignoring the LARGER THAN LIFE MARKERS on the ground. I didnāt say anything but kept turning around giving him the stink eye. There wasnāt anyone behind him and he wasnāt going to get popcorn faster standing directly behind me.
BTW: the new Spring Popcorn is really good 
My DD was always (and I mean always!) going too far past the blue line and right behind the next group in queues. It was so hard for her to stay back, even though she is 11. I was always watching for someone to give her a stare or eye roll but it just never happened. I was kind of surprised.