Extreme Heat Causes Surge In ER Patients

Doug McIntyre and David Callaway discuss the severe impact of extreme heat on urban emergency rooms, likening the overflow to the surge seen during COVID-19. On days when temperatures hit 120 degrees, emergency rooms are inundated with patients at four to six times the usual rate. This heat, often termed the “silent killer,” is causing widespread fainting, heat exhaustion, and even deaths. These extreme conditions are currently affecting various parts of the U.S., including New York and the southeast this week, and the west coast previously. The situation is exacerbated by a concurrent spike in COVID cases. Cities have implemented cooling areas, but the speakers emphasize the need for more extensive measures to combat this growing crisis. The conversation underscores the urgency for cities to invest in long-term