With heat index readings approaching 100 degrees this week, the city of Lansing is opening cooling centers.
The city’s cooling program is being activated for the first time this year, Tuesday through Thursday.
Some typical cooling centers, like libraries, are not available while closed to the public.
Rob Dale with Ingham County Emergency Management says coronavirus safety protocols will be in place at the sites, stating “you’ll be given a surgical mask of some sort, if you don’t have one. We also will take your temperature upon entry to these formal cooling centers, just to reduce the threat of spreading COVID.”
Dale further explains the importance of following coronavirus guidelines. “It’s very important that for some," he concludes, "the risk from the disease could be worse than the risk from the heat, so we really want to try to balance that out as best we can.”
The cooling centers are at the Salvation Army on North Pennsylvania and the Allen Neighborhood Center on East Kalamazoo in Lansing. Others include the American Legion Post in Bath, the United Methodist Church in Elsie, and the First Baptist Church in St. Johns. Officials also suggest Lansing-area Meijer stores and the Lansing Mall. Leashed pets are allowed at the Lansing Mall.
Some people qualify for free transportation from CATA or EATRAN. More information is available by calling 2-1-1.
