French heatwave kills 11,435 in two weeks

[Terminal23]

http://news.ft.com/servlet/ContentSe...=1012571727088
Now normally I would say bad things about the French.But,they don't deserve this.I hope this isn't a lasting trend with the weather over there.Hopefully things will get better soon.I'm guessing air-conditioning isn't to big over there.Or maybe they've just haven't needed it.Mother nature really kicks you in the ass sometimes.

[no1_vern]

Sorry double post

[no1_vern]

Yep its getting bad over there. Seems that most of the world isnt as rich as we are here in the USA. Most people over there cant afford air conditioning. I understand their normal highs are around 70F(21C) for summer. Hitting 90F+(32C) has them sweltering and their bodies needing extra water(a comodity over there) to survive.

There were a couple of threads about europe and having no air conditioning previously:

Here:
http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr...threadid=76575

And here:
http://www.techimo.com/forum/showthr...threadid=75304

[Solid Snake]

People are dying over 90 degrees? With enough water most people should be able to take a continuous 90 degrees. Forget A/C, where's the water???

[no1_vern]

I apologize. While the temperatures have dropped into the nineties, 2 weeks ago the were in the 100s(104 in Paris, 110 elsewhere).

Over in europe you have to buy the water. The rivers are so polluted form several thousands of years of living, that its undrinkable.

[daveleau]

It seems incredible to me that in today's age of technology that heat like this could kill that many people. Especially in a nation such as France. I mean, we aren't talking about a 3rd World nation. Then again it is a socialist government where there are lines for health care. The heat usually kills the weak and sick elderly.

[Warthog]

I started a post on this a few weeks ago when the death toll wasn't so outrageous as it is now (*only* 3k... ). I now understand the concept that Euro summers this hot are very rare, etc and that buying A/C might seem ridiculous.

It's still friggin' insane that this many people die from heat.

Does it have to do with care for the elderly (or lack there of)? Is that it? How are the retirement systems in France? Some (or more) of those who died were elderly whose bodies where not discovered for awhile, telling me they were never checked on very often. Are assisted living facilities in good use? I know they cost a lot of $$$ - is that the issue?

I suppose my questions were not all answered.

Warthog

[Optimus Prime]

The reason people do not have A/C in Europe is because we didn't need it.

In England, we still don't (Thankfully). But in most European countries, heatwaves have come, and gone.

Maybe they aren't buying cooling solutions for something that "will happen and go away".

Not because they are too poor.

[RADAR1797]

A testament to socialized health care and people shoving their neighborly responsibilities on the government. At least they get a heavy load off their pension system now.

-RADAR

[M_Six]

At least they get a heavy load off their pension system now.

The economic benefits of Darwinism, eh RADAR?