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San Diego Cool Zones closed amid heat, coronavirus pandemic

Dr. Wilma Wooten said the county didn't have anything definite on where people can go just yet.

SAN DIEGO COUNTY, Calif. — The County of San Diego is reviewing safety plans as it keeps cool zones closed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"Cooped up in the house for way too long,” said Sharon McDowell, while walking her dog in Morley Field.

McDowell said it’s been tough being stuck inside on a hot day with nearly nowhere to go. 

Amid the intense heat expected in the region in the coming days, some San Diegans will certainly try to catch the breeze at the newly reopened parks allowed by the city.

"Just being here, just being out in the air I love it,” McDowell said.

Due to safety protocols concerning the coronavirus pandemic, all cool zones are closed - leaving many worried for those with nowhere to go as the temperatures rise this week.

“We do have an excessive or extreme heat plan that we will have to operationalized,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten of the County of San Diego Dept. of Health.

San Diego public libraries used to be the go-to cool zone spot, but the Balboa Branch is only open to employees, not the public.

“While libraries are currently closed, we will have to look if there are other options that we can explore for seniors and other vulnerable populations in San Diego,” Dr. Wilma Wooten said.

Down in the South Bay, the Chula Vista Public Library Civic Center branch is also closed to the public. Inside, the once available air-conditioned open space was free for anyone to come in and seek relief while checking out a book, but that option is no longer available. 

It was a similar scene in North County at the Pioneer Room Library in Escondido, where temperatures reached 89 degrees.

The Rancho Bernardo Library Cool Zone was also closed to the public despite temperatures getting hotter and hotter. Dr. Wilma Wooten said the county didn't have anything definite on where people can go just yet.

"I don't have an answer for you today, but we plan to have a plan by the end of the week before the weekend,” Dr. Wilma Wooten said.

The County of San Diego Aging & Independence Services is in discussions with SDG&E about the Cool Zones program during the public health order to see if the eligibility criteria could be adjusted for those needing to receive a free fan.

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