Although no sun in the sky on Thursday, temperatures throughout Simcoe County remain hot with the humidity in full force. The Simcoe Muskoka District Health Unit (SMDHU) continues to remind people to take care of themselves if they are in the heat. Dr. Michelle Quaye, public health physician, said several people ended up in the Emergency Room due to heat-related illnesses. “From June 29 to July 5, we had 27 heat-related emergency department visits within our region,” Quaye said. Severity varied throughout each case. “There’s a whole host of different heat-related illnesses, like heat stroke and heat rash, so lots of different presentations,” Quaye said. The health unit says some simple action can help you stay safe. “When it’s hot outside, it’s probably hot inside as well in certain places, so if you’re in an environment where the indoors is not cool, it’s important to find a cool space,” said Dr. Quaye. “Also, ensure that you have access to lots of water.” A little rain was not enough to stop construction on Livingstone Street in north Barrie as crews continued laying asphalt and dealing with the humid conditions. The fresh asphalt mixed with cool rain created some steamy conditions forcing workers to take extra efforts in staying cool. “I keep a fan on me whenever I need it, that sort of thing,” said a construction worker. “What’s going through my head is trying to find some shade if I can.” Meanwhile on the links, the rain and humidity aren’t barriers for golf lovers; it’s allowing the course to look fresh and green right in the middle of the season. Dave Eveleigh, manager of Shanty Bay Golf and Country Club, said this year’s conditions are allowing the course to flourish compared to last year. “Last year, we had a pretty serious drought where it didn’t rain for probably a month, and it’s what I call the Shanty Bay bake sale,” We don’t water everywhere and the places that we don’t water, they start to turn brown and it’s inevitable,” said Eveleigh. “So we’re at the hands of mother nature.”
