Starting this week and lasting until Wednesday, a record breaking heatwave is taking place in the Southern California region. Triple digits are expected in many places across the region.
Concerns over rolling blackouts and the public’s health loom. in dealing with the heatwave, according to Southern California Edison.
Student Health Center Physician Dr. Ann Walker expressed heightened concerns over people’s ability to physically withstand the heat.
She said the biggest need for students is the need for a place to get out of the heat and allow the body to cool down.
Walker said the school’s library is a great resource for relief and is open Mondays through Thursday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m., and Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and on campus indoor eatery and off campus spots such as Starbucks and Jack In the Box.
“You can get on a bus and take a long scenic tour,” Walker said.
Nearby transit providers are the Los Angeles County Metro, which train schedules can be found at metro, and Foothill Transit, which schedules can be found at foothilltransit.
For the weekend and Labor Day, off campus sites can be found on the Los Angeles County’s website. Go to Ready LA County to find a cooling center.
The county’s website also offers other helpful information on how to deal with the heatwave.
Staying hydrated in extreme heat is important, according to the Centers for Disease Control.
Walker said that a good indicator that a person needs to be hydrating more is how often the person uses the bathroom.
If the person is going as usual, that’s a good sign.
If a student has health concerns while on campus, the Student Health Center can help take temperatures and check blood pressure. The health center can also look for other dehydration symptoms, Walker said.
The county’s website says, “monitor those at high risk – check on elderly neighbors and family and friends who do not have air conditioning. Infants and children up to 4 years old, people who overexert during work or exercise (e.g. construction workers) and people 65 years and older are at the highest risk of heat-related illnesses.”
