By Kevin Vaughn Jr.
Howard University News Service
It was an absolute scorcher in D.C. yesterday, as temperatures in the city reached 101 degrees Fahrenheit, breaking a record of 99 degrees on Aug. 28, 1948, and exceeding the annual average of 86 for this date.
With conditions this extreme, at-risk residents lacking access to air conditioning are concerned for their safety. D.C. native Vaughn Pinkett has felt the effects of having a broken A/C unit in his apartment, stemming from plumbing issues in other units.
“My neighbors have air, and I’m the only person that has none,” Pinkett says.
During an earlier heatwave this summer, a senior residential building went without air conditioning for a month, NBC Washington News4 reported. The World Health Organization says extreme heat levels can worsen pre-existing health conditions, such as obesity, heart disease, mental illness and diabetes.
But even healthier people who are not at the older or younger ends of the age spectrum can suffer from cramps, headaches, dizziness, fainting, heat exhaustion or stroke when it’s too hot, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Howard University students were doing what they could to stay cool and hydrated, with many walking around campus carrying water bottles and portable electric fans. However, some students believe the city should do more to keep its citizens safe under these conditions.
“We should have people distributing fans at different places, so it’s accessible to the public,” says Imari Stewart, a senior economics major from Chicago. “They should find ways to give people the resources they need, regardless of a heatwave.”
The District opened more than 100 cooling centers throughout the city in response to the heatwaves this summer.
Temperatures throughout the weekend will fall into the 70s and 80s with thunderstorms approaching Thursday and lasting through Sunday, the National Weather Service reports.
Here are some tips to beat the heat as the end of the summer season approaches, from the CDC and other sources:
Stay indoors
If you do not have air conditioning, try going to a shopping mall, a library or a cooling center.
Stay hydrated
Extra water and sports drinks are recommended to keep your body temperature cool.
Go for a swim
D.C. pools close for the season on Monday, so here’s a list of public outdoor pools to get your last swim in before the fall.
Wear loose clothing
Loose, comfortable clothing like T-shirts and shorts helps air permeate and cool your body.
Kevin Vaughn Jr. is a reporter for HUNewsService.com.
