Brutal heat a challenge for outdoor NYC workers

New York City residents who work outdoors endured another unseasonably hot day.

News 12 Staff

May 22, 2022, 5:12 PM

Updated 872 days ago

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New York City residents who work outdoors endured another unseasonably hot day on Sunday.
Juan Mejia doesn't question whether he needs to work in the heat. That's because the answer is he has to.
"On one hand, it feels great because, I'm making money to support my family, but the heat is terrible," he said as he pushed his Italian ice cart along Jerome Avenue to help customers keep cool.
"There are moments you don't want to go out. Thank goodness things have gone well for me but it's also not easy," Mejia said.
It was also not easy for Carlos Almonte and his crew at Monster Autoglass where they do car window work by the curb.
"It's very hard. You have to keep hiding from the sun. The heat, it's very sticky, horrible, and uncomfortable," Almonte said.
"Life has realities. You have to provide for your family, you have to work out there, you don't have a choice," said Dr. Rajesh Verma, chief of emergency medicine at King's County Hospital.
Verma sees patients check into the emergency room due to high temperatures, but says even if one does work outdoors, they can still beat the heat.
"Always keep yourself well-hydrated with water and, if you can, try to take some electrolytes with it," Verma advises.
He also suggests taking breaks, skin protection, not working directly under the sun, wearing a hat and loose cotton clothing.
"If you start to feel thirsty, that's a sure sign you're behind the eight ball in terms of keeping yourself hydrated. Second, if you start to feel nausea, feel like you're going to throw up, you're already getting heat exhaustion," Verma warns, which he said could lead a stroke and a trip to the E.R.