760 die in UK heat wave (mostly under 90°), because only 0.5% of them have AC
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CyclopsRock
Member
It's not really about "affording". A lot of people who can afford it don't have it. There's a huge difference between being able to afford something, and something's cost being good value for what you get in return. It snows here about as regularly as it gets very hot (ie for maybe a few weeks a year) and no one has fancy snow tires and very few have snow chains either, for their cars, because it's just not worth it. Besides, the sort of people dying here are a) the least able to afford those things and b) the least capable of arranging for Air con to be installed etc. We're talking about old people who can't look after themselves enough to drink enough water.
Stumpokapow
listen to the mad man
Excellent book written about that event:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/0226443221/?tag=neogaf0e-20
It also happens to debunk about 95% of the "yeah but really how could this happen?!?!?" stuff postulated in this thread.
User Name Here
Member
Was it mostly the elderly that passed away?
I don't follow. I am well versed in the ignorance of people. What's your point?
Later Alligator
Member
I'm currently in the UK for work, its not that bad... it's warm for sure, but nowhere near as bad as it gets back home (ontario)
like has been said numerous time in here, people just don't stay hydrated enough. and have generally very poor diets
like has been said numerous time in here, people just don't stay hydrated enough. and have generally very poor diets
Yeah, unless you've got got really bad asthma or are an elderly person I don't see how those temps can kill you unless you go out of your way to not drink any liquid at all and extremely exert yourself in process.
I can understand the discomforts of not having any AC but even inside a home on the first floor, windows closed, comfortable enough during the hottest of days here in Canada where 32 is nothing and humidity usually makes it feel like it's over 40.
Race to be King
Banned
Deaf Spacker
Memb
The ignorance in this thread is amazing.
at least we learned that temperature is a source of national pride in america and australia
Are you referring to me, because I mentioned it on the last page?
Share your argument, please, and don't just say I'm ignorant.
Something has to be I guess
Im acting like a wuss.. i suppose, i have not spent a single day out in the sun so far longer than a quick walk to the shops,
Im just hanging in my room everyday with the curtain drawn, laptop off, tv off too and just the ipad as it feels less warm then and ive been downing 2-3 litres of water a day, and the fan on full
too bad i can't convince the rest of my family to drink water instead of 8 cans of pepsi and 2 litres of coke and teas n cofee everyday, or even if they just drank water in between
Most common response, oh we dont like the flavour of water or we will get our fluid from the cold cans of pepsi, i just.... don't know man you cant tell them cos they want to do their own thing, i wonder if its similar attitudes across the uk of the older generation, oh weve had otter summers back in 76 and we didnt die
Im just hanging in my room everyday with the curtain drawn, laptop off, tv off too and just the ipad as it feels less warm then and ive been downing 2-3 litres of water a day, and the fan on full
too bad i can't convince the rest of my family to drink water instead of 8 cans of pepsi and 2 litres of coke and teas n cofee everyday, or even if they just drank water in between
Most common response, oh we dont like the flavour of water or we will get our fluid from the cold cans of pepsi, i just.... don't know man you cant tell them cos they want to do their own thing, i wonder if its similar attitudes across the uk of the older generation, oh weve had otter summers back in 76 and we didnt die
Any thread with Americans chipping in on local news is filled with ignorance.
Some places (mainly shops and stuff) do have air conditioning, some don't. And the places that do don't even keep it cool, lot of shops feel like bloody ovens even on an okay day.
I'll show those stupid Americans by shitting up their threads!
It's pretty juvenile, especially considering the blatant ignorance coming from the UK right now.
Deaf Spacker
Memb
Both countries have not got much else going for them, particularly Australia so whatever makes them happy.
It was a joke, maybe it was too complex.
And what ignorance is there from the UK right now? Or are you just all riled up?
Brofist
Member
Yikes, that sucks. Probably cost cutting measures?
Anyway stay vigilant people, the 80 degree heat wave will be over before you know it.
Valtýr;71926421 said:
Okay, if you're so smart, you find me somewhere in the UK that carries these things at these "not that expensive" prices you speak of. Argos doesn't sell them. B&Q doesn't sell them. Homebase doesn't sell them. John Lewis doesn't sell them. Debenhams doesn't sell them. Tesco doesn't sell them.
So where exactly are we supposed to buy these things?
How do I fit an AC unit in my windows.
EDIT: this too. Sash windows are increasingly rare in the UK.
pelicansurf
Needs a Holiday on Gallifrey
I think only 15% of their population would survive. I was in San Antonio yesterday and it was 108. It was hot as shit and I was out walking around, checking out the Alamo, etc. It sucked, but near death wasn't close to my vocabulary at the time.
Hey now the Aussies do have one thing going for them, they're really good at spor- oh... wait... shit never mind, I thought it was the 90s for a second.
Funky Papa
FUNK-Y-PPA-4
Days like these...
Have a Blessed Day
Has the government put any kind of health/heat warnings for these warm temperatures? Maybe in the newspaper or on television advising citizens to drink water, wear lighter clothing, maybe open a window or seek refuge in the ac for the eldely? We get that you guys arent used to warm temperatures but still people shouldnt be dying because its 30° out.
Deaf Spacker
Memb
Exactly.
Evolution_1ne
Banned
what the fuck UK
you guys don't have AC, how have you guys survived this long
you guys don't have AC, how have you guys survived this long
You get that old people die right? Well hot weather makes it more likely.
It's not like there are many 25 year olds dropping dead on the streets.
I now cannot tell if you are being serious.
because it's always cold and miserable here?
Days like these...
Have a Blessed Day
Where did i say it was 25 years olds dying? Simply asking if the government has issued any sort of warnings/advisory to deal with the warmer than usual temps. Once again people shouldnt be dying because its 30° out
Why wouldn't old people be dying? People die all the time, it being hotter and people being more dehydrated is going to make it happen more often.
They have issued heatwave level 2 and 3 warnings.
Elderly people, the frail, people with multiple disease states, etc are less able to adjust their behaviour to sudden periods of increased temperature. They are more prone to overheating and dehydration, even if they are warned.
A mostly bed bound or chair bound person with little or no daily care is at high risk of overheating and dehydrating. They will remain as they were when the weather was colder, with excess clothing on and bed sheets which may cause them to overheat, and are unable to readily access water as much as they now need to.
People who are hospitalised are also more prone to dying during these periods. They are at an even higher risk of dehydration sometimes as sick patients are less likely to eat and drink, and staff need to be ensuring they receive adequate fluids. With this comes increased risk of toxicity from the medications they take or are being given to treat their acute issue. Or even just greater deterioration of their acute medical issues.
ChimpanzeeThat
Member
It's literally because we don't get this weather normally and especially not for such a prolonged period either. We're being told to expect high temperatures going into next week and the Met Office isn't sure we've had weather like that in years.
For 360 days a year we have our own AC, it's called British weather.
For 360 days a year we have our own AC, it's called British weather.
Shake Appeal
Member
For what it's worth, more Americans die from heat-related causes each year than from hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, and lightning strikes combined.
I think it's around 700 deaths annually (albeit from a population about four times larger than the UK).
I think it's around 700 deaths annually (albeit from a population about four times larger than the UK).
This is what is actually the problem. If all these people had the wherewithal to stay hydrated I bet 90%+ of them would be fine today
DjangoReinhardt
Thinks he should have been the one to kill Batman's parents.
Even if you grew up in a desert climate and know what to look for, dehydration can still easily sneak up on you. I wouldn't underestimate what it could do to the elderly and unprepared.
Days like these...
Have a Blessed Day
All im saying is that with the proper precautions people should not be dying because 30° out. That doesnt mean i dont feel bad for the elderly or those who are bed bound they need assistance so they can survive the warm temps
I wouldn't be able to live without AC where I live. If it's dry heat, you can survive without it. But if it's humid, like the 30+ degrees and 60+% humidity weather I've been getting for the past couple of days....forget it. Not having AC is torture.
There are few better feelings in the world than to come home after work (and being all sweaty from the Subway) to a cool house with AC.
There are few better feelings in the world than to come home after work (and being all sweaty from the Subway) to a cool house with AC.
The government issued warnings in May. No-one gave a shit in May. Then when it hit, people were obviously unprepared.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/heatwave-plan-for-england-2013
Also, for anyone interested. Here is the actual study:
https://blogs.lshtm.ac.uk/news/2013/07/18/premature-deaths-from-heatwave-in-england/
Link to paper at bottom.
DUFFMCWALIN
Member
Seriously it was 112 f here and I didn't use fans or AC. Just opened windows. It must be that we are used to it and aren't old.
Damn, that's what all that bitching was over? 90 degrees? lol you guys.
Too bad about the deaths, I suppose no matter how many warnings you issue there's always a few who ignore them or still underestimate the damage that could be done, especially when it's something you and your family have no experience with.
Too bad about the deaths, I suppose no matter how many warnings you issue there's always a few who ignore them or still underestimate the damage that could be done, especially when it's something you and your family have no experience with.
User Name Here
Member
With humidity, 90 degrees will feel like 100+. Add that to the fact that most don't have AC...
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