Heat Wave Affects Those With Health Problems
BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- As thousands of Marylanders remain without power, those with medical conditions are having a very difficult time coping with the heat.
Jessica Kartalija has more.
As the sun beats down, Shirley Cook and other Rosemont Tower residents sit outside in the shade to stay cool.
"It's uncomfortable for me. It's miserable. My food is gone out of my refrigerator," Cook said.
Like many in Maryland, the assisted living apartment building has been without power since Friday night.
"We have people in our building who need oxygen, people in our building who have breathing problems," Cook said.
People like James Matthews, who relies on his oxygen tank to breathe.
"When it is hot and humid, I can't breathe right," Matthews said.
Seniors aren't the only ones having trouble breathing. Three-year-old Kamren has asthma.
"I carry his inhaler around with me in my pocket because he can have one at any time," said Shanay Thomas.
Thomas has been trying to keep Kamren and her 6-week-old daughter Kaailea as cool as possible.
"This is when his asthma flares up, in the heat. He has it extremely bad when this weather is around," Thomas said.
As thousands wait for BGE to restore service to their home, residents are growing more and more frustrated.
"They say patience is a virtue, but my God, it's wearing on my virtue a lot," Cook said.
Check on your neighbors when it's hot and make sure children stay well-hydrated.
