Thread by @Asher_Wolf

It's October. If you live in Australia, you should be preparing for #HeatHealth issues now. It's too late to start trying to search for a way out of the heat when it's 45 degrees c. Map out places that stay cool/have free aircon now

We use large shopping centres, malls, and sometimes hotel lobbies. Pack power chargers, laptops, books, water. And arrive before the heat exceeds 37 degrees c. Plan not to move for the entire day: you don't want heatstroke from travelling during the day

Some malls are better than others for escaping heat: avoid those with large glass roofs: they heat up like hot houses. Generally we prefer libraries and museums, as they stay cool and there's bathrooms

Also, leverage council lobbies. They often have water coolers and public toilets

Melbourne Central is a favourite for escaping heat, as is Southland - they turn their aircon on and they're large enough for heat refugees to blend into the crowd. We also love Melbourne Museum, because they have a children's play area and you can waste hours and hours there

During some of the worst weeks of heatwave we tend to head to the hills to stay with family - even tho they don't have aircon either, it's a couple degrees cooler up there. We have friends who move to Tasmania for summer as well

With time, liveable climates will increasingly become monetised and securitised. The poor, the vulnerable, the elderly, marginalised and persecuted communities will be likely be blocked from accessing liveable regions

https://twitter.com/detly/status/1046984407981142020?s=21

You can help hack norms around #HeatHealth issues now: push back against loss of access to liveable quasi-public spaces; write public letters and essays demanding healthy public spaces; litigate cases for a right to liveable climates for all demographics

And some of the more privileged - with aircon'd homes and offices - might be wondering what all the fuss is about.

The mortality stats get buried. But heat kills. Make it a public issue politicians can't afford to ignore

Also: beaches are the worst for heatwaves: no shelter from extreme heat, no facilities, drunken idiots who don't know how to ensure their own well-being. Avoid. #HeatHealth

So you've found a place you can sit for 10 hours in the cool without being chucked out by security? Well done: now plan for 4-5 days. Because if a heatwave lasts three days, your non-aircon'd apartment won't cool down properly for two more days. #HeatHealth

Oh and if you have chronic health issues? Don't be scared to walk into an ER and state to triage that your condition is worsened by extreme heat and that you require aircon. Take a seat quietly out of the way

One of the reasons we like the Melbourne Museum, State Library and Melbourne Central for heat waves is they're all close together - you can cross the road / block without getting heatstroke

Pack water and lunch and afternoon snacks. Bonus points for finding a power point you can use without security getting upset and tossing you out. The aim is to stay as cool as possible for as long as possible without anyone in a position of authority minding your presence

All of these plans rely on the availability of air con in quasi public spaces. If the grid goes down on a 47 degree c day, we're screwed (and will probably Cave Clan it to stay cool.) #HeatHealth

Reference: Cave Clan vice.com/en_au/article/…

Bollywood movies go for a really long damn time (4hrs often) and cost the same to watch in an aircond theatre as a Hollywood movie. I generally see one or two every summer

https://twitter.com/raena/status/1047006161273327616?s=21

Your home should have a heatstroke first aid kit: stock hydralyte - or make your own from salt and sugar - and your freezer should have frozen water, ice packs, wet wrung out scarves that are now icy

There is no hack or trick good enough to escape the worst effects of climate change: eventually everyone will suffer. Make change or be changed

FYI, if some fuckwit middle manager makes a decision that endangers public health you can absolutely look after your own health first and make a complaint to management

https://twitter.com/raena/status/1047010894042058758?s=21

A lot of university libraries also have aircon, public toilets and don't ask for ID

The City of Melbourne has designated spaces for homeless ppl at risk of heatstroke. Use them to escape the heat melbourne.vic.gov.au/SiteCollection…

I note that the City of Melbourne's heat health plan hasn't been updated since 2014-15 tho