Chief Medical Officer (CMO) Dr. Sharon Belmar-George has advised citizens to protect themselves as Saint Lucia experiences hot weather.
“Over the last few days, we have been noting the increases in temperature,” Belmar-George observed.
As a result, she called on susceptible groups, including the very young, the elderly, and individuals with chronic health conditions, to take precautions since they may experience dehydration faster.
Belmar-George advised increasing fluid intake, especially water, throughout the day and reducing direct exposure between 10.00 am and 2:00 pm when the sun’s rays are more intense.
“If you go out, we advise using sunscreen or sunblock to protect your skin, the use of a hat or cap, and the use of lighter clothing,” the CMO told St. Lucia Times.
She also spoke of the need to protect school children, noting that some classrooms may not be as well-ventilated as they should be.
“We ask that teachers pay close attention to ensure that the kids are getting enough fluids during the day and parents as well should ensure that the children go to school with enough drinking water,” the senior Health Ministry official stated while advising limits on sugary drinks consumption.
In addition, Belmar-George called on teachers to pay attention to children engaging in physical activity during peak heat periods.
The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) reported that the global temperature record streak continued last month.
According to Europe’s Copernicus Climate Change Service, April was the warmest on record, the eleventh month in a row of record global temperatures.
The WMO declared 2023 the hottest year on record but said there was a ‘high probability’ that 2024 would be another record-hot year.
This trend is set to continue and only get worse. The extremes of temperature is not conducive to Human existence. One thing is certain. It’s either the entire global population change their ways to avert this climate disaster ( a feat which is already proving futile ) or Saint Lucia and the people living in equatorial zone take action to avert that catastrophe that is coming their way. Saint Lucia must employ science to help combat this heatwave… don’t expect other nations to do it for you…they are already not taking your hint on how climate change is affecting you, don’t expect them to come running to solve your problems….in fact depending on them is just another way to have you relying on hand outs and never accomplishing things for yourselves…. Saint Lucia needs scientist and engineers like 20 years ago (ie URGENTLY). Scientists and engineers who can devize ways to combat climate change…I read the Americans are thinking of something like a sun shield to help regulate the amount of sunlight that gets to earth….but this is way down the pipe line and may never materialise….this is how urgent this situation is …and mind you…your sky god won’t save you either so it’s either you get on with the program of educating the people to do things for themselves or suffer under the scourge of this burning heat…sad but true.
Hi there our beautiful Doctor, one thing our Universities did’nt teach, i.e. black people nave never been afraid of the hot Sun – we wear the Sombrero like the Mexican. White folks will find it too hot to come and so hurt the Tourist Industry, sorry; but keep smiling beautiful.