Heatwaves and Cooling Spaces

August 1, 2019
Bulletin 2019 07, Bulletin Bits, Resource
emergency, heat, physical health, summer
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Staying cool is hard especially when the Toronto Cooling centres were cancelled. Psych meds (including lithium) are risks for dehydration and worse. Homelessness and social isolation are probably the biggest danger. Would you be willing to occupy government spaces to stay cool? Historical context – survivors have been dying for a long time.

Be especially careful if you experience the following symptoms from heat. You might want to call 911 or see a doctor:

Dizziness or fainting
Nausea or vomiting
Headache
Rapid breathing and heartbeat
Extreme thirst.

Find “Cool Spaces Near You”

City of Toronto programs: www.toronto.ca/community-people/health-wellness-care/health-programs-advice/hot-weather/

Heatwaves are still putting too many people at risk

By Roxie Danielson Toronto Star Sun., July 21, 2019timer2 min. read

By Roxie DanielsonTorontoS

Sun., July 21, 20192 min. read

…This year, Toronto decided to forego cooling centres and replace them with the “heat relief network” utilizing an online map showing 270 different locations to cool off, including splash pads, malls and overcrowded shelters, without adding any additional services or resources.

These sites have no staff trained to deal with health concerns and no food provided. Furthermore, most of the sites listed are unwelcoming toward the homeless as there are already reports of police removing people from the splash pads.

Info you need for extreme Heat!

Toronto has no cooling centers this #summer, Toronto has a list of places to keep cool that close normal business hours and dont supply water or snacks. Please watch for these signs of #Heat related illness #Homeless #Torontoheatwave #HeatWarning #Toronto #Drinkwater pic.twitter.com/OPM0vQ41yG

— Tracy Forsyth (@TracyForsyth3) July 19, 2019