This week the heatwave has hit the headlines, as up and down the country record-breaking temperatures have been reached. We have also seen the departure of Theresa May, as well as the new arrival of our new Prime Minister, Boris Johnson. In other news, a debate has been sparked about what is truly meant by ‘old age’.
Heatwave hits Britain
Multiple weather warnings have been issued across the UK, as parts saw the temperature reach a staggering 36.9C. The Met Office have announced that this is a new temperature record for July. The temperature was recorded in Heathrow, which is said to be a bit of a ‘heat hub’. The heat didn’t stop once the sun went down either.
This week, many nights were remaining at temperatures as high as 24C. The extreme heat has also led to large storms. Parts of the UK have experienced prolonged episodes of thunder and lightening throughout the evening and in to the night. Special warnings for the young and elderly have been released, as well as reminding people not to cool off in open water. This has all been done as an effort to reduce possible risks and incidents occurring during the heatwave.
Do We Need a New Road map for Getting Older?
Author and Physician Louise Aronson has raised a very valid point in her new book, which has sparked multiple debates. She proposes that ‘old age can last half a century’. With people living longer, and the average life expectancy always increasing, is it time we redefined old age?
Some people define an ‘elderly’ person as being in their sixties. But what if that person lives to 100. Which in this day and age isn’t so rare. That would mean an individual would have spent almost half a century being ‘elderly’. Louise questions this and requests for a better definition of the word ‘elderly’ to be created as well as people recognising old age is not what is used to be.
Boris Johnson is named the new Prime Minister
This week was officially the time for Theresa May to step down. This, of course, meant it was time for her replacement to step up. It came down to a contest between Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson. The results were announced on Tuesday 23 July, shortly after mid-day. It was revealed that Boris would take us the role as the new PM after he received 92,153 votes, compared to Jeremy Hunts 46,656 votes.
