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Fears grow over heat exhaustion during summer classes amid virus

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We'd be in the final couple days of the Olympics right now, had they occured.

Good thing when they had the opportunity to reschedule them for next year, they realized the err of their ways and chose dates that weren't at the hottest time of year....

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Okinawan school's are off from August 1st to the 10th, and many schools down here, particularly ES and JHS, do not have ac in the classrooms.

It's nasty, and it's worse this year because of having to wear masks!

If Abe wants to help the economy along, install a/c in all these schools, with ventilation systems like they have in Pachinko parlors, believe me, it will make a HUGE difference!

11 ( +11 / -0 )

The local JHS likes to have the kids run around the block several times in the summer.

I don’t really understand why risking collapse through dehydration is a thing here.

10 ( +11 / -1 )

I always try my best to keep distance and when alone I remove my mask but since I have to go shopping and pass through crowded areas,I have to wear a mask,yesterday and day before I felt like Im suffocating and about to collapse.

I do not know how people are going to survive this summer in this masks.

5 ( +6 / -1 )

Simian...... If they don’t run around like maniacs how will the students spend their summer vacations? It is Japanese culture for both Jr and senior high school students to spend every day of their vacation at school doing “club activity” ..... a sport they often have little interest in and don’t enjoy.

All very character building and prepares them for life at the office.

7 ( +9 / -2 )

I'm all for education, but why can't these dinosaurs try and think outside the box. No PE classes during these extremely hot days. Especially the "marathons" many students have to run in the morning before classes begin. Also, limit the hours, and only teach basics, for now. Math, science, Japanese, social studies, would be fine for a month or so, and then let the kids go home at about 1:30. When the temps cool down, you can return to a normal schedule without fear of killing your students!

11 ( +11 / -0 )

It also urged them to ventilate classrooms, while properly using air conditioners to lower temperatures.

In 2020, to have to use this statement, is pretty telling.

Most school room classes are not air conditioned, combine that with wearing a mask,

and any outdoor sports activities?

A recipe for disaster.

P.S. If schools are open, why not pools?

7 ( +7 / -0 )

Japanese schools never learn. Just yesterday 7 kids got taken to hospital by ambulance because of heatstroke. For some reason it is important to maintain these PE classes in summer. Why can't they use the extra classes to teach the basic subject to catch up with the lost time and skip anything that's not important. Nope, they need to go back to their regular schedule and rhythm

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Prefectural junior and high schools in Okayama will break for summer holidays between Aug. 8 and 16, 34 days fewer than last year.

Only eight days! Poor kids. I hope they don't get the usual summer homework.

Temperatures have risen rapidly in recent days

Yes, but only "rapidly" because the rainy season extended right up to August for the first time in decades. Temperatures are simply back to normal now. If there is an issue, it's that schools normally don't have lessons in August, and may be ill-prepared for it. They should not be attempting to do what they do in cooler months, while dealing with additional problems of masks and open windows for ventilation (i.e., compromised air con).

5 ( +5 / -0 )

If the Olympics are held next year , it will still be at the hottest time of the year.

5 ( +5 / -0 )

It also urged them to ventilate classrooms, while properly using air conditioners to lower temperatures.

What about constructing buildings with proper insulation?

Air conditioning in summer and excessive heating in winter just accelerates climate change, meaning each year will get worst than the previous one. (cf HFC and second law of thermodynamics for the scientifically illiterate).

9 ( +9 / -0 )

Another fact was masks cause more harm than good.

-7 ( +4 / -11 )

Why doesn't Japan do online school. My son started online in March when the virus started to get bad and stayed that way and will be starting in a few weeks online again as the virus is not getting any better down here on Okinawa. Until they close down travel from Japan the number of infected here are just going to keep going up. goto campaign way to go!

1 ( +3 / -2 )

particularly ES and JHS, do not have ac in the classrooms.

in a hot humid climate that's just plain negligence, children cant concentrate in those condition let alone the risk to their health

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Another fact was masks cause more harm than good.

nope scientifically proven to be false.

-4 ( +1 / -5 )

“"Wearing masks is effective in curbing the spread (of the virus), but I would like (schools) to prioritize their responses to heat exhaustion," education minister Koichi Hagiuda told a news conference on Friday.”

Maybe, maybe not re masks. Before March no one really said they were effective.

But then again, the mayor or Osaka swore blind gargling helps with the Corona virus.

Opinions hold the weight of truth at times in Japan

0 ( +2 / -2 )

“Another fact was masks cause more harm than good”

Well, the jury is still out.

-2 ( +1 / -3 )

“I do not know how people are going to survive this summer in this masks.”

Agreed, awful things

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Well in most cases parents or should I say past parents are to blame.

The city where my children went to school started installing AC, in all new/renovated schools.

I some unbelievable move local parents voted to oppose this claiming it made children weak.

So the project was cancelled.

I have heard similar stories from friends and acquaintances from all over Japan.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

How can you properly ventilate a room while using aircon? I think the recent spike in cases has a lot to do with the switching on of aircon for the summer.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

some unbelievable move local parents voted to oppose this claiming it made children weak.

Probably the same people who rush to the air conditioner or heater the second the temperature goes beyond their +/-1 degree comfort zone.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

Only eight days! Poor kids. I hope they don't get the usual summer homework.

Actually it's only 4 days, the 8th and 9th are Sat & Sun, the 10th a national holiday, then the 15th and 16th the weekend, so only 4 actual days off of school.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The crazy thing is, due to the school closures in March and April they will be pushing the students even harder than usual. Cutting their summer vacation by 2/3 is utterly ridiculous and will result in deaths.

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Agreed. They should just...alter the schedule and grades to account for the lost time. This push to catch up is bs

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

The wearing of masks which reduce oxygen inhalation couldn't be a factor, could they?

0 ( +2 / -2 )

Government-operated schools should dictate that students wear masks all the times when on schools property (outdoors, indoors, when participating in sports activities, etc.).

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Um, no

0 ( +1 / -1 )

These "exhalation filter masks" reduce evaporation and increase the temperature of inhaled air, both of which increase the temperature of the head especially, the place you want it least. To understand how important the mouth is for reduction of high body temperature, consider that dogs don't sweat but only lose heat through their mouths. Having P.E. at all in summer its important to be aware of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Its even more vital in Japan where kids have P.E. on a huge open sandlot with zero shade and no grass (grass absorbs solar radiation and sand reflects it). Its even worse with "exhalation filter masks" on.

P.E. should either be given up or other holidays used to make up for lost days.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

“These "exhalation filter masks" reduce evaporation and increase the temperature of inhaled air, both of which increase the temperature of the head especially, the place you want it least.”

Exactly. And with temperature guns being used across the board, a lot of false “fever” readings are going to be given off

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

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