If home is where the heat is, Newmarket residents are advised to plan ahead to stay cool over a forecasted hot and humid summer that tips slightly above normal temperatures.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all town facilities and buildings that once offered refuge when the humidex soared remain closed until further notice.
This includes the Newmarket Public Library, community centres, pools, splash pads, and even Upper Canada Mall, which remains shuttered on emergency orders handed down by Ontario to stop the spread of the new coronavirus.
“The town has no plans to reopen these areas as cooling locations due to the inability to ensure the emergency orders set out by the Province of Ontario are followed,” development and infrastructure services commissioner Peter Noehammer said.
Those orders include the public health measures of keeping at least a six-foot distance from others outside your household and limiting social gatherings to five people maximum at this time.
Meanwhile, York Region public health posted a notice on its website that encourages residents to plan alternative ways to beat the heat and check in on family, friends, or neighbours who may be vulnerable.
“Consider calling or video-conferencing to check on those most at-risk and be sure to practise physical distancing if you need to leave your home,” the guidance says.
According to the Weather Network’s summer 2020 forecast released June 1, a warm and humid summer is expected, but June will still include periods of cooler, refreshing weather.
While July and August will feature extended periods of hot, sunny and dry weather, oppressive heat will not dominate the entire summer. Periods of cooler weather will break up the heat at times, and thunderstorms will help to deliver rain that could be excessive.
But heat illness can affect everyone, and some are more at risk during periods of extreme heat including those who are confined to bed or have reduced ability to care for themselves, have pre-existing conditions such as cardiovascular, pulmonary, renal and psychiatric conditions, and who are alone without a social support network, according to Health Canada.
Signs of heat illness can include extreme thirst, dizziness, headache, nausea, vomiting, fainting, and rapid breathing and heartbeat.
Here are some tips to keep you cool during COVID-19, courtesy of the World Health Organization:
- Keep out of the heat.
- Avoid going out and doing strenuous activity during the hottest time of day. Take advantage of special shopping times for vulnerable groups whenever available.
- Stay in the shade, do not leave children or animals in parked vehicles and, if necessary and possible, spend two to three hours of the day in a cool place while respecting physical distancing of at least six-feet apart from others who are not in your household.
- Keep your home cool.
- Use the night air to cool down your home.
- Reduce the heat load inside the apartment or house during the day by using blinds or shutters and turning off as many electrical devices as possible.
- Keep your body cool and hydrated.
- Use light and loose-fitting clothing and bed linen, take cool showers or baths, and drink water regularly, while avoiding sugary, alcoholic or caffeinated drinks.
- Avoid exposure to the sun or to temperatures higher than 25°C as there is no evidence that this prevents or cures COVID-19, and it increases your risk of sunburn and heat-related illness.
- You can catch COVID-19 no matter how sunny or hot the weather is, so protect yourself and others by washing your hands regularly, coughing into your folded elbow or a tissue, and avoiding touching your face.
