If you stepped outside this morning and thought, “Nope,” you’re not alone.
A Cold Weather Advisory is in effect today until noon on Jan. 20, with wind chills plunging 15 to 20 degrees below zero. In conditions like this, the cold isn’t just uncomfortable, it can be dangerous. Frostbite and hypothermia can set in quickly, so if you need to be outdoors, bundle up in layers and don’t skip the hat and gloves.
Because of the extreme cold, hundreds of schools across northeast Ohio closed today, and several communities opened their doors to help residents stay warm.
Warming centers are available in Akron, Norton, and Cleveland. In Akron, the Summit Lake Recreation Center will serve as a warming center until 8PM, offering a safe place to get out of the cold. The city’s other recreation centers are back to regular hours today after Monday’s holiday closure. A full list of Akron recreation center locations and hours can be found at AkronOhio.gov.
Along with the bitter temperatures comes an age-old warning many of us grew up hearing: “Don’t go outside without a coat, you’ll catch a cold.” But is that actually true?
According to Dr. Neha Vyas, a family medicine physician with Cleveland Clinic, cold weather itself doesn’t make you sick, viruses do.
What winter does create is a perfect environment for germs to spread. As temperatures drop, the air becomes colder and drier, which can dry out the lining of your nose and throat. That dryness makes it easier for viruses like the cold and flu to enter your body. Add in the fact that we spend more time indoors and closer together, and the risk goes up.
“When we’re inside more and in close contact with others, our chances of catching something increase,” Dr. Vyas explains.
The good news is prevention doesn’t have to be complicated. Washing your hands often, covering coughs and sneezes, staying hydrated, and eating nutritious foods all help support your immune system. Vaccines, including the flu shot, are other options.
And for those who actually enjoy the chill, or are just looking for something fun, frosty, and free — there’s a winter treat happening this weekend. Cleveland.com reports Standing Rock Cultural Arts is hosting a free ice-carving exhibition in downtown Kent. The event runs Saturday from noon to 3PM at Hometown Bank Plaza, offering a chance to see artists transform blocks of ice into works of art.
