Advertisement
Boston's Morning Newsletter
IVs and ice baths: How med teams are prepping for a warm Boston Marathon
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
TGIF! Before you rush out to grab a $1 scoop of ice cream, let's get to today's news:
Marathon Monday is looking like a bluebird day for spectators — but less so for runners. Temperatures will be on the warmer side, in the 60s with a 10 mph tailwind. Officials warn this may result in more cases of heat-related illnesses, like dehydration and heat stroke. “Historically, warmer temperatures have caused a higher volume at the medical tents and for transports to area [emergency departments],” Kerin Milesky, who leads the Department of Health's office of preparedness and disaster planning, told WBUR. Here's how the marathon's volunteer medical team and hospitals are preparing:
- There are over 1,800 medical volunteers on staff during the Boston Marathon. That may sound like a lot, but Chris Troyanos, the marathon's longtime medical coordinator, told All Things Considered host Lisa Mullins the tents along the course on a light year see about 1,100 to 1,200 athletes. "Now, on a heavier day, we've treated as many as 8% or 9% of the field," Troyanos added. When it comes to heat-related issues on Monday, he said tents are equipped to do everything from give IVs and check salt content, to use ice submersion therapy to bring down a runner's core temperature.
- When it comes to hospitals, Paul Biddinger, chief preparedness and continuity officer at Mass General Brigham, told WBUR's Priyanka Dayal McCluskey most runners are treated in the medical tents, but they're still expecting to see an increase in patients. "We always make sure we're well stocked up on warming blankets, on fluids that the runners can drink if they come in a bit dehydrated," he said. "We typically staff up a little bit in terms of our nurses, our providers... The challenge is fitting more patients into already crowded hospitals." Biddinger added Mass General will be ready, even if it means squeezing stretchers into hallways.
- If you're one of Monday's 30,000 marathon runners, don't panic. Troyanos suggests familiarizing yourself with the heat stroke warning signs: dizziness, headache, nausea, cramping and dehydration. The wind may also wick sweat away, making it harder for your body to cool down. Hydration and pacing will be key, he said.
- Related: Troyanos is set to retire this year after almost 50 years on the job. In a chat with Lisa along the marathon route, he talks about the biggest changes he's seen since he started volunteering in the medical tents in 1977. Listen — or read the highlights — here.
Shuttle bus blues: The MBTA wrapped up its three-night Blue Line diversion last night, but subway riders in East Boston and Revere are looking at a bigger disruption starting next week, as part of the T’s larger War on Slow Zones. It’s essentially a 12-day diversion split into two parts:
- Part 1: All Blue Line service north of the harbor — between Maverick and Wonderland — will be replaced by shuttles from Wednesday, April 17 through Friday, April 19.
- Part 2: The diversion then recedes slightly to between Airport and Wonderland for the following nine days, April 20 to April 28.
- Why is it in two different parts? During the first three days, MBTA officials say they’re concentrating work around Maverick to restore access to that station “as quickly as possible” and lessen the impacts to the East Boston community. It also makes for a more direct trip between downtown Boston and Logan Airport during the latter nine days.
Music to our ears: The Boston Symphony Orchestra is inviting all Bostonians to a free concert on Sunday, May 5, at 2 p.m. This year's "Concert for the City" classical showcase will feature performances by the BSO, Boston Pops and the Tanglewood Festival Chorus. Tickets are free and can be reserved starting today at 10 a.m. online or in person at the Symphony Hall Box Office.
Signs of spring: Boston's Swan Boats return to the water tomorrow. The fleet of six historic boats were assembled by hand on Monday, before being transported to the Boston Public Garden for their annual debut. Once the boats are launched, local families (including Mayor Michelle Wu and her children) will line up for the first rides of the year. Check out the full season hours and pricing here.
P.S. — We learned this week Boston is renaming one of its public schools in tribute to a legendary local activist. Do you know who it is? Then take our Boston News Quiz and see how well you remember this week’s stories compared to other WBUR readers.
