I have observed that many drivers now use the air-conditioning on their vehicles to attract passengers.
The ‘prestige’ that boarding air-conditioned vehicles brings causes some passengers to choose to wait for a vehicle with the facility than to board an available one without it.
This leaves one wondering what the exact aim of these passengers are when set out for the lorry station—to enjoy the cool breeze of air-conditioning or to reach their destinations?
While respecting passengers’ right to choice, one cannot fail to acknowledge the fact that air-conditioning causes discomfort to other passengers who also have rights. Some people complain that AC causes them to have irritated skin and neurological symptoms such as headache and fatigue.
Others suffer hypothermia (which is a condition that occurs when one’s body cannot produce enough energy to keep the internal body temperature warm enough). Children, the elderly and those with heart disease are at special risk.
It has also been shown that the body undergoes a certain amount of stress when it is forced to go from a very hot environment into an artificially cold one and over time this can affect one’s overall health.
But while we wait for the message to get to those who are crazy about air-conditioned homes and vehicles, here’s a note of advice for those who are not comfortable with it:
1. Wear layers of clothing and a hat or head scarf to keep warm.
2. Carry a light uncrushable jacket or wrap with you as you board a bus where the air con is at full throttle to protect your system from such extreme temperature changes.
PS: This appeared in the August 28, 2015 edition of the Mirror