Frigid temperatures create health hazards around New York City

NEW YORK (PIX11) — As New York City continues to brace for sub-freezing temperatures, some of the city’s most vulnerable residents are forced to brave the conditions.

Barry is an asylum seeker from West Africa who chose not to give his last name. He said he and dozens of migrants have been bracing for the bitter blast — sometimes even sleeping in Tompkins Square Park.

“You know, it is too cold,” Barry said.

Sleeping outdoors is a sad reality migrants said they face as they sometimes have nowhere to go. Medical experts said the weather can be dangerously cold, potentially causing weather-related illnesses.

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“The biggest medical risk is frostbite, and if you’re out there for too long, you get hypothermia,” said Dr. Jonathan Rochland of Maimonides Medical Center.

According to Rochland, some cold weather-related illnesses can be deadly for anyone outside for prolonged periods. But as the temperatures continue to drop and with snow expected to head our way yet again, the city is doing outreach across all five boroughs to help unhoused New Yorkers stay warm.

“When there’s a code blue, we find opportunities to bring people inside,” said Anne Willams-Isom, Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services. “Oftentimes, there might be some people who don’t want to come inside, but by law, we have to find places for people so they can be in — out of the cold.”

Officials are asking anyone who sees someone they believe to be experiencing homelessness to contact 311 and request outreach assistance.

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