AuDN4T

The 42°C with humidex weather yesterday kicked my butt. Usually I could get through that but since being on Sertraline I could feel my eyes get super heavy. Apparently this is a critical warning sign for those on Sertraline to look out for in this weather.

Thinking about these different Heat Stroke warning signs and symptoms and we talk about people looking out for rapid heart rate, flushed skin, feeling dizzy, etc. I think we need to know exactly how people will react to heat stress with different medications. That way they know exactly when to get into cool environments to cool off. Not sure what kind of symptoms you’d get with antipsychotics or diuretics, etc.

It was definitely had to get around. I know people got around ok – many looked like they were fairing better than me but was still concerned about them.

This is now concerning that if we have hotter temperatures, these people are now the first ones to be at risk. If they don’t have A/C, they’re definitely at risk. Yet our government officials and organizational executives don’t seem to care. They just see the money. But that also has a trickle down effect. If you have people who cannot afford A/C and say they die from heat stroke, you now don’t have people able to provide you frontline work. Human version of an ecological collapse.

Anyway – it was hard to navigate through that day. I felt like I didn’t get the greatest shots that I wanted to.

Just a couple of notes from that day:

• stretch of construction with construction hoarding prevented air/breezes from passing through and caused that space to heat up greatly – around Ontario Place.
• the air was found to cool down significantly when you went westward along the shoreline and there was no construction hoarding present; it felt very bearable.
• Trees helped (not an unknown fact)
• Where buildings existed, the temps increased more (around the Legion building); this isn’t to say we should knock it down. It’s just an observation.
• The west side of the Martin Goodman Trail between Windermere and Exhibition Place varies significantly. You have some parts that run along the water while others are close to Lake Shore Blvd. Where it’s near the water, you’re able to cool off. However, the further you are, the hotter it gets. The trees do help but only so much. When a cool breeze comes off the lake, it really does help you in cooling off.

These aren’t really rocket science facts, just something to consider when people are out jogging, cycling or walking… and for city planners.

Removing waterfront park spaces for privatization – I will say we need to work hard against. Oakville and Burlington have houses backing directly into the water. Etobicoke is patchy with some access and parks. Toronto is patchy too but there’s still a huge part that gives the public a space to enjoy the waterfront. We definitely need to work hard preventing land grabs from occurring. I’d be personally angry if they just started building condos on the waterfront… parks and waterfront public spaces have a place in cities.

Today was kind of a waste – it was recovery day where I couldn’t really do much. I don’t know how to explain it. I think people who have experienced AuDHD burnout know the feeling.

Tomorrow – there will be more learnings for our friend Rudy and his fellow Ford Nation friends.