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Welcome to Summer!
Jun. 21st, 2020 01:39 pmToday is Fathers' Day, National Indigenous Peoples Day and the day after summer solstice. Of course, we're also in the midst of a brutal mid-pandemic heat wave. Let's just say I'm glad we have central air-conditioning and at least one functional fan.
For those who don't have such luxuries, the city has opened a few "cooling centres", mainly community centres, open from 11 AM to 7 PM, where cleaning and disinfecting are rigorous and physical distancing is possible. The last heat wave was at the end of May and city officials expressed surprise at the relatively low uptake of their hospitality.
To me, the reasons are obvious. First and foremost, who is going to TRANSPORT these people from their sweltering homes to the relative comfort of a cooling centre? Once there, do they have to queue up 2 metres apart waiting to get in? Is there a time limit on how long they can stay, and what are they allowed to do once they're there? Are there some quiet rooms and some where people can be noisier or more active? And if at 7 PM it's still 35 degrees in the shade with a humidex in the 40s, will the people then be out on their ears having had no time to acclimatize to the difference in temperature? Do they have any medical staff on duty?
I'm sure they do their best. To me, though, the big thing seems to be the question of transportation. If people can't afford central air, they likely can't afford to run their own vehicle either. And it doesn't look as if there are enough of these centres that everyone who needs one would be within walking distance (if indeed the people in question are in a position to walk there when they're overcome by the heat!)
Often the powers that be seem to enact measures that, while no doubt well-meaning, are frankly a little tone-deaf.
For those who don't have such luxuries, the city has opened a few "cooling centres", mainly community centres, open from 11 AM to 7 PM, where cleaning and disinfecting are rigorous and physical distancing is possible. The last heat wave was at the end of May and city officials expressed surprise at the relatively low uptake of their hospitality.
To me, the reasons are obvious. First and foremost, who is going to TRANSPORT these people from their sweltering homes to the relative comfort of a cooling centre? Once there, do they have to queue up 2 metres apart waiting to get in? Is there a time limit on how long they can stay, and what are they allowed to do once they're there? Are there some quiet rooms and some where people can be noisier or more active? And if at 7 PM it's still 35 degrees in the shade with a humidex in the 40s, will the people then be out on their ears having had no time to acclimatize to the difference in temperature? Do they have any medical staff on duty?
I'm sure they do their best. To me, though, the big thing seems to be the question of transportation. If people can't afford central air, they likely can't afford to run their own vehicle either. And it doesn't look as if there are enough of these centres that everyone who needs one would be within walking distance (if indeed the people in question are in a position to walk there when they're overcome by the heat!)
Often the powers that be seem to enact measures that, while no doubt well-meaning, are frankly a little tone-deaf.
