To not understand the constant panic

[Panicnomore]

I'm finding it so incredulous to see the level of panic and hysteria on here about a 2 day heatwave.
Posters seem to be hyping each other up. Can humans no longer cope with anything outside of their comfort zone?

It's pathetic isn't it. Reassuringly I only really see the panic on social media. In the real world people just deal with it.

Ain’t that the truth?

We have had weather almost this hot before. But the thing with the “It’s the first time a warning like this has been issued” is that THE WARNING SYSTEM WAS ONLY INTRODUCED LAST YEAR.

Take precautions - because Lord knows the British are shit at respecting the weather, whether it’s going out in the midday sun, going up Ben Nevis in flip flops or driving through deep flood water - but do we need all the drama? No.

Covid has a lot to answer for, it’s like there’s PTSD at national-level where the response to everything is to catastrophise, run round creating a spiral of panic, and demand Something Is Done by authorities rather than just using personal responsibility to apply some sensible precautions without all the angst. And that’s before we get to those who just enjoy the drama of it all

The problem with common sense is that it’s not so fucking common.

@Kant

This. Another race to be the most-unbothered.

Similarly, you could say 'another race to be the most bothered.'

As pps have said, this is just like covid again. The media whipping people up into a frenzy for two or three days when it will be a bit hot, and the media's minions all over social media and message boards like this, rushing to enable them, by putting the fear of God into everyone - including their own children. It's shameful.

As a pp said, no wonder children/young people struggle so much with anxiety and coping in life in general these days. WTF are (some) people turning the next generation of adults into? The British never used to be like this. What the fuck is happening?

As has been said, apply sunscreen, stay out of the direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm when it's at its most intense, and stay hydrated/drink plenty of water. It's really not rocket science, and the media whipping everyone up into a frenzy is bonkers. Fortunately it only seems to be on forums like this where people are going way OTT about it. In real life, I don't know a single person who is acting in the OTT manner that some people on this thread are.

@Kant

Another race to be the most-unbothered.

Similarly, you could say 'another race to be the most bothered.'

As pps have said, this is just like covid again. The media whipping people up into a frenzy for two or three days when it will be a bit hot. And the media's minions are all over social media and message boards like this, rushing to enable them, by putting the fear of God into everyone - including their own children. It's shameful.

As a pp said, no wonder children/young people struggle so much with anxiety and coping in life in general these days. WTF are (some) people turning the next generation of adults into? The British never used to be like this. What the fuck is happening?

As has been said, apply sunscreen, stay out of the direct sunlight between 11am and 3pm when it's at its most intense, and stay hydrated/drink plenty of water. It's really not rocket science, and the media whipping everyone up into a frenzy is bonkers. Fortunately it only seems to be on forums like this (mostly) where people are going way OTT about it. In real life, I don't know a single person who is acting in the OTT manner that some people on this thread are.

Society is getting increasingly polarised, it’s harder and harder for our politicians to compromise on policies in the middle ground for the interests of all of us because they’re being egged on to keep fighting. In the same way, the OP is characterising us all as either carrying on as normal or panicking sheep. Not helpful. The vast majority of folk are trying to carry on while taking sensible precautions.

My elderly frail mum doesn’t take good care enough of herself at the best of times, so my brother and I will be taking turns to stay with her during the peak heat mainly to make sure she stays hydrated. Heatstroke could precipitate a serious decline in health, and with the current state of the NHS I’m keen for her to not need to go into hospital at the moment. Neither of us live closer than 100 miles. She watches the news about twice a week. The news keeps repeating the message for folk like my mum who don’t live all day on the internet, to make sure they hear it.

if people keep hearing the same public service message and start getting hysterical about it, that’s their problem. It’s important that as many people as possible receive it.

No, but maybe we can look at improving the situation by adapting the buildings? Not holding my breath as still no air purifiers in schools…

Actually, on reflection maybe holding my breath is what I should be doing…

For context (which that C&P lacks):

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_European_heat_wave#France

2003, France - multiple week event, over a week with maxs above 40 celsius in parts of France...

I lived in a very hot country for 10 years - the majority of us lived in apartment blocks that didn't have or we didn't use the air con, we didn't have a pool or shutters in the windows. Only the old cottages or fancy big expensive homes had them. People worked all day - open air /semi open restaurants often, so no air con. The kids were in school then after school care. Schools and nurseries did not have air conditioning Siestas are a long gone thing for most. No carpets I agree, I had laminate. It was so humid at times that you had to towel seats dry in the evening before you could sit down and you cold have a layer of water sitting on your skin just from sitting outside for a short time. I'm not sure where the idea comes from that it's not humid in European countries. I've never experienced that level of humidity here in the UK.

The amber warning for Monday & Tuesday covers the entirety of Wales plus southern Scotland in addition to the red & amber warnings the cover England. So no, it’s not just southern England.

I'm really sorry to hear about your pup, just thinking of ideas, what about a cooling mat like these on Amazon?

Might help keep him cool

https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=cold+mat+for+dogs&adgrpid=104586193878&gclid=EAIaIQobChMItvS7vJ9-AIVxbTtCh1GaAmiEAAYASAAEgJPUPDDBwE&hvadid=445488371182&hvdev=m&hvlocphy=9046435&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=e&hvrand=9133006911580567649&hvtargid=kwd-301152873059&hydadcr=179691818076&tag=hydrukspg-21&ref=pddsl86v63xddgiiep47

YADNBU just listening to the news on the radio, the government are calling an emergency cobra meeting! WTF for? It’s a couple of days of heat. Keep cool and drink water!

The government have called a cobra meeting because they’ve fucked up and neglected every piece of infrastructure we have and when something like adverse weather comes along it’s obvious there’s no give to take on any extra.

any service you would traditionally expect to contact through 999 is on its arse and has been for ages, the roads and rail are neglected, logistics to transport food and goods is still in disarray following brexit, schools are reaching crisis point with staffing and the time kids have missed, our waters are more polluted than ever following relaxation of dumping regulations and there’s a massive cost of living crisis meaning individuals personal resources are scant and less likely be able to pick up any shortfall.

I dare say there’s significant Cobra time spent on discussing societal unrest.

Whilst I’m more on the don’t panic end of things generally I don’t mind warnings and all that.

People will change their behaviour and like other events where we knew what was coming you’ll just see quieter streets.

So the other warning due to wind people stayed home (even more that time), rail strikes people wfh where they could and traffic was down. I expect things will be fairly quiet Mon / Tues

That’s fine by me, if there are fewer incidences of heat stroke or people stuck on a slow train then fine

They will need a response in case of infrastructure failing. If some areas lose power or water then the government needs to respond. If you lived in an area where water stops running from the tap then you would be grateful for someone stepping in. If there is an increased demand on the health services then there needs to be some guidance for staff, guidance for transport workers. Cobra is not meeting to discuss how to deal with Joe Public and their paddling pools and ice-pops. It’s to plan for contingencies in case of regional or national problems.

Saying that other countries have air con, pools, shutters etc is disingenuous as it assumes that everyone has access to them and/or every hot country has that set up. Many don’t unless you’re extremely wealthy and how many air con units do you think there are in an Indian slum? People still manage to live and work in the extreme heat of, say, Mumbai where it’s waaaay hotter than it’s ever been here, without a pool.

YADNBU just listening to the news on the radio, the government are calling an emergency cobra meeting! WTF for?

Because people are hyped up, and the media are both feeding it and feeding off it. And so the drama ratchets up and up.

Probably we will get locked down and allowed out for essentials like ice pops, unless you are a key worker or Amazon delivery driver.

Londoners told only travel if essential according to Daily mail and something about ambulances catching fire. The media is really loving this and will be most disappointed if it doesn't hit 40.

Sorry not 40, 106F

I live in a house made of steel (BISF house) the council have since covered the steel with cladding which keeps the heat in. Temperatures can hit a degree or two higher because of this and my house is like a furnace. I’m also working in an extremely hot factory and I’m in and out of hot ovens all day and I have vitiligo and a heart condition. Work are not allowing us to have water at our workstations and no extra or longer breaks. I’m dreading it.

@blackheartsgirl i sympathise. We live in a narrowboat- it’s always 10 deg hotter inside than outside. So very well used to 40deg and higher inside.
employers should all be making allowances for either extra breaks or rehydration bottles allowed at work stations. Not doing something so simple and free is what pisses at lot of employees off. Then employers wonder why morale is bad.

The point is Australia is the last country to be taking tips from for coping with the heat. It is a great example of a country that a lot of white europeans moved to and then behaved exactly like they did at home. Lesson- adapt to the fucking environment. And no, the australians have long had the same attitude as people on this thread - making any adjustments to deal with their environment is some kind of weakness. Which is what has led to them having the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

We've broken down. 6 hour wait for the RAC because we are safe in a car park, even though I have a 3 year old with me.

I certainly won't be attempting to drive anywhere on Monday / Tuesday, as I suspect it will be worse.

The problem is the number of cars overheating on motorways and main roads. They are more urgent.

The point is Australia is the last country to be taking tips from for coping with the heat. It is a great example of a country that a lot of white europeans moved to and then behaved exactly like they did at home. Lesson- adapt to the fucking environment. And no, the australians have long had the same attitude as people on this thread - making any adjustments to deal with their environment is some kind of weakness. Which is what has led to them having the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

Oh do get over yourself. Equating tips for coping with heat has NOTHING to do with skin cancer rates. Obviously people in this part of the world are far more at risk of skin cancer than someone in the UK - and has it ever occurred to you that much of this skin cancer comes from damage done years ago, before people actually knew about the dangers of the sun? You don't spend a couple of days out in 40c heat and whoops, next week you have skin cancer. When I was at school we sat beside a swimming pool for a whole day every summer watching the swimming sports with no protection - because no-one knew it was dangerous. As a teen I would lie outside all day in hot sun with no protection, for the same reason. That is part of the reason why skin cancer is so prevalent in this part of the world, coupled with the obvious fact that it is easier to burn here. Anyone who would expect Australians/NZers not to have a higher skin cancer rate than the UK has to be pretty stupid.

Well said.

Which is what has led to them having the highest rates of skin cancer in the world.

Wasn't the significant thinning/ hole in the ozone layer the main cause of this?