EN 
ES Summer came in strong when the calendar flipped to July, bringing temperatures north of 90 degrees on consecutive days for the first time in 2020. It’s hardly surprising, of course, since July is supposed to be hot in Houston, but it’s a concern for people trying to stay cool during what’s already been a challenging spring and summer.
Unfortunately the people most susceptible to health issues during a heat wave are the same ones most vulnerable during a pandemic: senior citizens. Too much heat is not safe for anyone, and even riskier if you are older or have health problems, so it’s important to get relief from the heat quickly.
How Can I Lower My Risk?
Things you can do to lower your risk of heat-related illness:
- Drink plenty of liquids, such as water or fruit or vegetable juices. Stay away from drinks containing alcohol or caffeine. If your doctor has told you to limit your liquids, ask what you should do when it is very hot.
- If you live in a home or apartment without fans or air conditioning, try to keep your house as cool as possible. Limit your use of the oven. Keep your shades, blinds, or curtains closed during the hottest part of the day. Open your windows at night.
- If your house is hot, try to spend time during mid-day some place that has air conditioning—for example, go to the shopping mall, movies, library, senior center, or a friend’s house, while wearing a face mask, and washing your hands or using hand sanitizer upon entering and leaving.
Cooling centers can offer relief for people without air conditioning in their homes or who are homeless, but also present the potential for disease spread in an indoor space with unrelated people crowding together.
Harris County residents are encouraged to stay tuned to the county’s social media channels (@hcphtx on Twitter & Instagram, Harris County Public Health on Facebook) and its website (https://publichealth.harriscountytx.gov/) for regular weather and pandemic-related updates. A constantly updated list of cooling centers throughout the county, can be found at https://www.houstontx.gov/health/MSC/index.html.
Keeping those websites handy will be vital for people still uncertain as temperatures rise and various buildings and businesses reopen at their own rates during the pandemic. Social distancing rules are also forcing some buildings to drop their capacity level significantly so people (wearing masks, of course) can stay at least 6 feet apart.
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