Reply #91: They died early deaths

[lastliberalintexas]

Life expectacy was what- 50 maybe. Who cared if you died of the mostly unknown disease of skin cancer, the untreated heart condition, or the sudden "collapse" in the field which modern medicine now calls a heart attack- you were still dead no matter what.

And pre-Industrialized Revolution, people were able to act sensibly because they mostly controlled their own time. Farmers and families could altogether avoid the midday sun because they didn't have some line boss on their rear. And certain cultures developed a societal answer to allow for the physical problems/symptoms of afternoon heat, a la the siesta.

Now, it's a different story. People who work in construction, landscaping, etc. don't have that "luxury" because they don't control their own time. A responsible contractor I've heard of in my area works his crews from 6am to 11, and then again from 2 til ?. But that's unfortunately the exception.

And there are some people who just can't take much sun exposure- I don't know what they would have done in the old days. I would have a sunburn if I stayed in the direct sunlight for the "moderate" 15 minute time period indicated in the article. I know that sounds hard to belive, but it's true. I don't tan, I burn, even after very short periods in the sun. And while I do what I can with clothing, straw hats and the like, I do need sunscreen.


And I was being a little facetious about the clothing! It's just not easy to listen to someone in Massachusetts (Boston is at 54 as I type) when I'm inside right now to avoid the already **98** degree SE Texas heat. But I guess I shouldn't complain too much- our heat index is *only* 102. It's going to be a lovely summer! Can I come visit you and the other New England DUers sometime in July? :D