Six months into his job, Secretary of Health Umair Shah faces his first summer in Washington state. And it’s not quite what he expected.
“What I did not know was that Washington was going to have the record heat that we have had, and oftentimes what I would associate with my former stomping grounds,” Shah said during a media briefing Wednesday.
Shah came to Washington from Texas, where triple-digit temperatures are much more common. In the coming days, the Pacific Northwest is expected to shatter monthly and all-time records for high temperatures.
Seattle and Tacoma are likely to experience highs in the upper 90s on Saturday, before climbing into the low 100s Sunday and Monday.
Shah said people might feel less inclined to wear their masks in the hot weather. He says residents must resist the urge to take their masks off in places where they are required.
“We want people to absolutely have their mask with them, even when it’s warm and certainly if they’re in crowded or indoor settings,” Shah said. “We want to make sure people recognize there’s still a number of people across the state that are not vaccinated and it’s really important that we keep ourselves protected.”
Shah acknowledged that COVID safety precautions can make it harder to beat the heat. Still, people must remain diligent, since we’re still in the midst of the pandemic.
As temperatures spike, Shah added that it’s important for people to stay hydrated and seek refuge in cool places if they can.
“Obviously we know that there may not be as much air conditioning here, but wherever you can,” he said. “We certainly want to make sure that people are doing what they can to protect their bodies and themselves, as well as their loved ones.”
Public libraries and local pools and splash pads are among some of the recommendations from local officials for staying cool. Some people turn to rivers or lakes to cool off, but local first responders are stressing water safety precautions in those instances. Life jackets are recommended and safer swimming locations are preferred, particularly where lifeguards are on duty.
Shah also stressed that people should know the first signs of heat illness. He said to seek shelter inside if those symptoms emerge and seek medical attention if they don’t improve.
The state Department of Health also is reminding people not to leave pets or children unattended in vehicles, along with other tips for staying safe during the heat wave.
