If you live in the North East, stay safe and stay at home if you can. The blizzard is on! While most parts of the North East is getting hit hard with piles of snow and wind, it’s a good opportunity to spend time with the family.
I guess, it’s nature’s way of saying to “take a break”.
I also think about people who are now struggling around this part of the world with this extreme weather. With the full force of winter weather being felt across the country and poverty at unprecedented levels, it is important to keep in mind how the cold impacts our most vulnerable – the homeless.
Here are some startling pieces of information from the report from NationalHomeless.org
Around 700 people experiencing the risk of homelessness are killed from ‘hypothermia’ annually in the United States.
Many of the chronic problems faced by homeless people, including inadequate clothing, malnutrition, and underlying infection, further increase the risk of developing and dying from hypothermia.
People experiencing homelessness have a much higher risk than the general population of developing exposure-related conditions such as hypothermia and frostbite.” In addition to the immediate danger of life-threatening conditions like hypothermia, cold exposure can cause illness and injury that “may also increase the risk of dying from unrelated conditions in the future.
Many homeless people struggle with alcohol and drug addictions. The use of these substances substantially increases their susceptibility to hypothermia.” To make matters worse, “people suffering from hypothermia often have impaired judgment and cannot perceive their own need for shelter or medical care.Instead of feeling bad we can do our part to help.
The National Coalition Of The Homeless is probably a good place to start when it comes to helping. Their website is full of resources that represent the homeless in America.
Here is how YOU can help bring our neighbors in from the cold.
Wishing you all the success!
