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?

I remember 1976, the months of red hot weather. None of the extreme panic, no schools shut, people actually went to WORK !!

Lots of us do. It wasn't as hot as this, and the major problem was the water shortage as there was no rain for about 10 weeks.

We got stuck on a broken down train on the way to the Blue Mountains. Around Parramatta I think. It was plus 40 degrees in the late morning. No air con. People were passing out. I was extremely uncomfortable.

Have people never gone abroad before? And before the "but they've air con" police come at me, when I go on holidays I don't tend to sit in an apartment under the air con, I'm out and about enjoying the sunshine. It's ridiculous that a bit of heat can cause such panic!

A lot of people get worked up because they want a couple of days off work or school, a collective hysteria to justify days off

I get that people may be concerned etc but what is all the panicking and drama going to actually achieve? It's not going to make it not be hot for 2 days next week, there's nothing that you can do about it. People are acting outraged at others because of the weather - it cannot be controlled - you are going to have to live through the two days of being hot even if you are autistic, or old, or vulnerable and you're going to have to accept it because weather won't go away.

I am mildly worried about how hot it is actually going to be as we are fair skinned and don't cope well in extreme heat. However some on here seem to be gleefully anticipating a full on Dante's Peak type scenario with all power cutting off, animals combusting into flames and elderly neighbours flaking out en masse. If I went round to check my 80 yr old neighbours were coping ok I suspect they would be highly amused - they are colonial types who lived in South Africa for years and have the skin to prove it! I just read one - imo bonkers - suggestion of going to sleep with a wet sheet draped over you (who could sleep with a wet sheet on them? Honestly!) It is quite amusing reading some of the tips though.
I guess the possible worst case scenarios of this unprecedented heat is exciting for some?

Hopefully it will all be a storm in a teacup!

@Panicnomore how will aircon increase global warming if the electricity cames from renewable sources? I.e if an organisation signs up to certified and independently audited ISO14xxx renewable energy certificates (RECs)?

It’s absurd - half the world spends all summer at these temperatures or hotter ffs

I love this quote from the BBC news site "It is the first time a red heat warning has been issued for parts of the UK, although the extreme heat warning system was only introduced in 2021 "😂

The point I am trying to make is we are being told this is our new Reality. Extreme weather. It will continue to happen every year and probably get hotter and hotter and wetter and wetter and windier and windier etc.
We have done this to our planet. We now reep what we sow.

Surely our coping strategies need to adjust... otherwise people will live in a constant state of fear.

A heatwave killed my dad back in 2014, and it was not as hot as it will be next week, anyone with/with loved ones with COPD or any other lung conditions keep a close eye on them this coming week. We always thought it would be the winter that would take him from us, as that was usually when he suffered the most, so it took us by surprise.

It is a met office red alert warning for a reason.

It is going to be very uncomfortable for many, and a lot worse for some. For those that can't cope with the heat and still have to go out to work it won't be pleasant and they have my sympathy. I don't get on with high temperatures but I am fortunate I can hide in the shade at home and only venture out to turn the sausages on the BBQ!

We had an extreme heat wave last year where I live and many people died. The province now has a plan for emergency cooling stations & the like. It was insufferable for those living in small apartments and condos, or on the street.
Coroner's report on heat-dome deaths

So preparing for extreme heat is not a bad idea - we had no idea how bad it would be till it hit. We personally were lucky to have a cooler basement, but our upper floors were well above 40C.

I’ve only seen histrionics about the weather on MN.

In rl, I’ve heard a couple of people say ‘it’s going to be hot next week’ - and that’s the extent of it 😂

Have you not got an operating mode between denial and nervous breakdown?

This. Another race to be the most-unbothered.

I'm happy with my middle ground of: put up the paddling pool, chuck some Soleros in the freezer and wait for it to pass.

However, I know that I'm lucky. Other people can't do that, have health issues that might make them more vulnerable, or work in a very hot environment (NOT an office/classroom) that will become really hard for them in the heat.

So, yeah. Not bothered for me, but also trying to not being a thoughtless arsehole about other people.

Oh yes. I offer any delivery drivers etc. cold water. A bloody angel, me.

I'm not worried now because I live in a house by the sea and it never gets above 20c inside. However, a few years ago I lived in a poky flat in the South East with windows that wouldn't open. One summer it was 45c indoors and I was an absolute state. If I still lived there I would be panicking. I'm just grateful that I don't have to worry about that anymore, but I'm aware others aren't so lucky.

Are people panicking? Isn't it sensible for people to share advice on how to keep cool and safe when the temperature is above blood heat? Isn't it appropriate to consider alternative timetables or arrangements when people are working in buildings with lots of glass and no means of cooling?

It may only be a couple of days but heatstroke can hit someone unawares in a couple of hours. With the NHS in the state it's in right now and ambulances backing up even before the heatwave happens, it's prudent not to put yourself in that hazardous situation in the first place. That's not panicking.

Oh, and going to work or to school is a bit different from being on holiday when you can take your time over things, do nothing, or have a swim and then retreat to an air-conditioned hotel room.

I haven't seen anyone panic but I know one or two who are changing their plans and travelling on Sunday instead of Monday.

I did wonder if it was a new thing

Yanbu. I am tired of the heatwave threads. We had days when it reached 37, 38, 39 degrees in recent years. Keep your curtains or shutters closed. Go out early or late if you have the option, or not at all. Drink enough water or cold drinks or tea if you prefer. Stop whipping people up into a frenzy.

I agree. By Wednesday there'll be thunderstorms and complaining about the rain. We can survive this.

The only thing that's legitimate is the concern over climate change. Last year was weird weather with all the rain, this year is just going to be really hot.

Why are they hypocrites though?

I get the environmental issue, but lets be fair, folk don't really need tumble dryers do they.

Unless they are hypocrites too.

Both appliances are related to weather conditions.

Regarding your OP, maybe some people do feel panic. You aren't the panic police. The UK doesn't have the infrastructure or culture for such high temps.

When there is a severe weather warning in countries where the referenced weather is unusual, and affecting some people, for a multitude of reasons they will feel panic.

You talk about panic, yet made a post about it.

several weeks in Turkey with +40 temps with no air conditioning in a boiling hot apartment with no outdoor space or swimming pool as it was a building site.

There wasn’t people dying all over the place.

I’m not panicking at all but it’s smart to be informed and be sensible - it’s not usual for this country despite what everyone harps on about when they compare to the 70s, and we’ve never seen 40 before, which is currently predicted where I am.

I find these kind of threads as patronising as the ones panicking and telling people what to do tbh.

I'm not going to be made to feel stupid for worrying.
It's going to be unbearably hot. I am worried for the vulnerable, some of the workers, the elderly, animals and children. Even today is uncomfortable in the house at 26C yet the temperature will far exceed that early next week. Even towards the middle and end of next week it is staying far too warm. People have a right to be concerned even if you are not.

Unfortunately the media focus on people who have zero common sense and are diving into lakes/leaving kids/dogs in cars etc. Same as when there are floods or heavy snow, you'll always get people going against advice and putting themselves and others at danger,
The majority of people will just adjust their day as best they can to keep cool.

So people including elderly and babies live in housing and flats than keep heat in. It will Be like living in an actual sauna.

So let's see what actually happens before you moan about people over reacting

In southern Europe the generally have the following lifestyles

Air con as normal in offices and shops
Afternoon closing
Schools start earlier and finish earlier
Houses are built with stone floors
Houses have shutters
They certainly don't have carpets
Many homes have pools
There are many more open air public pools.
They generally have an arid climate so the humidity is lower
They including kids are used to staying up late and resting during the hottest part of the day.

Basically they have lived like this for many years so it's engrained into the culture.

We are destined to cope with rain and mild winters and mild summers.

Plus our nhs is already on its knees that's to covid and brexit so if I need an ambulance for any reason during that period I'd be pretty worried too.