By: Emily Ao
This past week, record-breaking temperatures scorched cities along the East Coast. Some cities, including Baltimore, MD and Dulles, VA, have reached their first triple-digit day, hitting as high as 101 degrees Fahrenheit.
Even so, citizens refuse to let the intense heat stop them from getting their things done. In Baltimore, thousands of people have been observed attending the AFRAM Music Festival, an event that celebrates African American heritage. Some athletes, like Dontrell Knighten, claim that as you go out in the heat, you “get used to [it].” Fresh air and exercise is especially important during this fiery time, and we are sure seeing people pursue this belief.
Meanwhile, out on the streets, the heat has definitely not been easy on the homeless. According to the New York Times article, “Cities Along the East Coast Bear the Worst Conditions,” many nonprofit organizations that aim to provide for the poor and homeless, like Waterfront Rescue Mission in Florida, do not cater on the weekends, making it extremely harsh for the ones living on the streets. “Right now, living on the streets really sucks,” James Beard says, struggling to find cooling stations and shelter for him and his wife.
Sadly, their only source of comfort is the shade from trees. Even water can be hard to find for them. At times of desperation like this, there really isn’t anywhere for them to go when local shelters are closed.
As the heat continues to take over cities on the East Coast, many people have started landing into hospitals. This past week, the number of heat-related illnesses has risen increasingly fast. When not accustomed to such temperatures, people are prone to illnesses that can be life threatening if not treated.
Seniors are more vulnerable to this weather, most already having chronic diseases to begin with. To help with this, cities have set up heatlines, which are hotlines that people can use when they need assistance fighting off the heat. Additionally, more cooling centers are actively being set up to accommodate the needs of struggling citizens.
To everyone’s relief, the temperatures have gradually lowered this week, and will continue to decrease as the week passes. Hopefully, the weather will be refreshing, a new start to what citizens had to face last week.