(RestoreAmericanGlory.com) – Eugene Gates Jr., a 66-year-old postal worker in North Texas, tragically lost his life on June 20 while delivering mail amidst extreme heat conditions. Reports indicate that Gates collapsed due to the dangerously high heat index. As a result, the United States Postal Service (USPS) in Texas has decided to adjust the schedules of its employees, with shifts starting earlier.
According to a report from Fox 4, postal workers were informed through flyers and alerts that their shifts would now commence at 7:30 in the morning. On the day of Gates’ unfortunate incident, the heat index in the Dallas-Fort Worth area reached a record-breaking 115 degrees Fahrenheit, marking the highest temperature recorded since 1980, as reported by local news sources.
A homeowner promptly rushed to provide CPR after witnessing Gates lose consciousness. Tragically, Gates was later pronounced dead at Texas Health Presbyterian Hospital. The exact cause of his death is currently pending determination by the medical examiner.
Gates had previously served in the United States Army before transitioning to a life of service in the USPS. The National Association of Letter Carriers recognized Gates’ contributions, noting that he was highly esteemed by both his colleagues and the customers he served during his 36 years of delivering mail.
Brian L. Renfroe, President of the National Association of Letter Carriers based in Washington, D.C., highlighted the challenging environments in which letter carriers often work. Renfroe emphasized the importance of understanding the warning signs of heat-related illnesses to protect individuals from the dangers of excessive heat.
Various organizations, including the World Health Organization, have asserted that climate change is leading to steadily increasing temperatures and heightened exposure to heat. Dr. Carl Allamby, an emergency medicine physician at Cleveland Clinic, explained that without adequate protection, cooling measures, and proper hydration, individuals can be susceptible to heat stroke when exposed to extreme heat. Therefore, recognizing the warning signs is crucial in preventing heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
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