Why was Diamond Princess important in the overall knowledge of the Covid-19 Virus?
The Diamond Princess was an isolated sample of what Covid-19 can do. It was a perfect specimen to see what exactly can play a role on how Covid-19 spreads and how Covid-19 manifests itself in a person. First, when the Japanese government told the cruise to quarantine, the numbers of cases fell rather noticeably. Scientists were able to connect the dots and realized that cases were more common when there were large groups mingling in common areas. When people were simply confined to their room with the people who vacationed with them, cases began to go down. Furthermore, a large portion of the people who were infected and tested positive for Covid-19 were asymptomatic. Due to that many people being asymptomatic, scientists could analyze how effective asymptomatic people were at transmitting the disease.
How did the Diamond Princess function during its stent with Covid-19?
Covid-19 was introduced to the Diamond Princess when a passenger tested positive. The ship was almost immediately locked down while it rested on the waters outside of Japan. This quarantine started on February third. While the passengers and staff, a total of 3,711 people, were quarantined on the boat, the government of Japan would regularly test the passengers for Covid-19. They started with the high risk people and then moved to the people who showed symptoms. If a person tested positive for Covid-19, they were then removed from their room and taken to a hospital or quarinted even more so in their room. The crew of the Diamond Princess were not in as much of an isolation as the vacationers. The vacationers were limited to their room for the most part, some reports believe that some people were occasionally let out of their rooms, but the crew still had to keep the ship running. They were in charge of making and delivering food to the vacationers. They also stayed in very tight quarters with many people.
Were the staff of the Diamond Princess treated unfairly?
The staff of the Diamond Princess did not have it as easy as the vacationers did. The people who were aboard the Diamond Princess for leisure stayed in their rooms which were much larger than the small, working quarters of the crew. The crew still had to keep the ship functioning. They were subject to being around many people. Also, their quarters were so close that, if their roommate had Cold-19, they were very likely to get it. Furthermore, many blocks were locked down due to Covid-19, and the staff wouldn’t know for quite some time after. Their lives were continuously put at risk.
Has the media spun the Diamond Princess in a negative light, positive light? Has the media made it more spectator enjoyable?
HBO Max released a documentary called The Last Cruise on March 30, 2021. The documentary was about the Diamond Princess. In this documentary, it interviews the staff and several passengers of the Diamond Princess. It also shows footage that they took while quarantined so you can get a first hand feel. Personally, I believe The Last Cruise focused more on the pain and fear these people felt. It truly wanted you to feel what they felt like. The fear, the worry, the unknown that possessed the moments of their lives while aboard the ship. I however believe they spun it in a very true light. It seems that the staff was truly victimized and pushed aside, and that the people aboard were seen as an inconvenience.
Has Covid-19 forever put humans off the idea of cruise ship type vacations?
The cruise ship industry is struggling. Many are still running but cannot find people who want to go. Also, there is a large debate around the cruise ship industry due to the fact many cruise lines are requiring vaccines. Carnival Cruises require full vaccination for every passenger at least fourteen days before they step onboard, and the only way unvaccinated passengers twelve years and older are allowed to board is if they have a note from their doctor detailing why they are not vaccinated; Disney cruise lines are requiring everyone eighteen and older to be vaccinated on their UK voyages, and guest twelve and older must be vaccinated for their Bahama voyages; and Royal Caribbean International require everyone twelve and older to be vaccinated unless the cruise is leaving from Florida. However, the vaccination mandates do not fix the complete problem. Some will be happy with this and feel safe enough to go, but some may still be wary. Also, many people who refuse to be vaccinated will no longer find themselves able to cruise. In all, the cruise lines have a large problem ahead.