'Dangerous' heatwave grips southwestern US

Heatwave starting on Wednesday is expected to flag "excessive heat warnings" in some parts of California, Nevada and Arizona states.

Death Valley, lying between California and Nevada, is known as one of the hottest places on earth, yet, this year it was hit by flash flooding. (National Park Service / AP)

A "dangerous" heatwave is taking hold of the southwestern United States, with punishing temperatures expected for the next week. Forecasters said on Tuesday the mercury could reach as high as 44 Celsius in the densely populated Los Angeles suburbs as a heat dome settles in over parts of California, Nevada and Arizona. "Dangerously hot conditions expected through the week," the National Weather Service (NWS) warned. "A prolonged period of excessive heat will significantly increase the potential for heat-related illnesses, particularly for those working or participating in outdoor activities," the NWS said. "Those without access to adequate or reliable cooling or hydration will be at most risk, but much of the population could be susceptible to impacts as well." Nighttime temperatures are not expected to offer much relief, with lows struggling to get below 26.6 Celsius in many places. Things were heating up in and around Los Angeles on Tuesday, with inland areas already experiencing stifling temperatures. But, said David Sweet, a meteorologist at the NWS in Oxnard, California, it is going to get worse. "We're looking at a heatwave starting on Wednesday and continuing through at least Monday of next week," he told the AFP news agency. "During that time, we'll be looking at conditions hot enough to warrant an excessive heat warning," he added. READ MORE: US Death Valley set to claim record for world's hottest temperature Global heating It is not unusual for southern California to experience heatwaves in September but temperatures above 37.7 Celsius are considered hot even for a place almost perpetually baked by sunshine. The heat wave comes after swathes of the southwest were lashed with torrential rains over recent weeks. Some areas, including the notoriously dusty and hot Death Valley, suffered flooding, and one person died after being swept away in Zion National Park in Utah. Scientists say global heating, which is being driven chiefly by humanity's unending appetite for the power that fossil fuel provides, is making natural weather variations more extreme. Heatwaves are getting hotter and more intense, while storms are getting wetter and, in many cases, more dangerous. Source: AFP

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Los Angeles requires youth basketball participants to wear masks, critic calls policy 'dangerous'

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Youth basketball league participants in Los Angeles are still being required to wear masks while they are on the court more than two years into the COVID-19 pandemic.

Los Angeles Uprising, an organization that pushes back against "restrictions and mandates," tweeted a picture of a youth basketball game from Saturday which shows participants wearing masks while on the court. The youth basketball game took place at the Mar Vista Recreation Center. A flyer for the City of Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks Summer Basketball League states that a "face mask is required at all times." EMAILS FROM CALIFORNIA DOCTOR ALLEGEDLY POISONED BY WIFE WITH DRANO REVEAL 'INABILITY TO COMMUNICATE'

Kids in a youth basketball league in Los Angeles are still being required to wear masks due to COVID-19. (LA Uprising)

In addition, participants over the age of 12 must provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 before entering any indoor park facility. The Los Angeles Uprising founder, who chose to remain anonymous, told Fox News Digital that the policy is absurd. "Obviously, at this point, there's no excuses anymore. You know, everyone has access to vaccines. Everyone can do it. Everyone's caught in this. At this point, it's just completely out of alignment," the LA Uprising founder said. GOV. NEWSOM BLASTS OAKLAND LEADERS FOR NOT HANDLING RAMPANT HOMELESS ENCAMPMENTS

The debate on COVID-era masks has polarized the nation.  (iStock)

"And no one in this city has ever fought for kids or said, 'Hey, let's make sure we get this in alignment for them.' Let's make sure that teens and kids this end of summer and fall don't have to deal with restrictions if they don't need to. But no one ever speaks up for the kids, certainly out of public health and certainly not in the city. They've never done that. They've never looked out for the kids. Never," he added. Jonathan Zachreson, founder of Reopen California Schools, told Fox News Digital that he thinks it's dangerous to have kids wearing masks while doing physical activity.

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A young child is seen wearing a mask while getting a vaccine. (iStock)

"I would say it's dangerous to have kids in physical activity, excessive exertion like basketball, to be in masks. And frankly, you know, we talk about mask choice and allowing people to make decisions for them and their families," he said.

Adam Sabes is a writer for Fox News Digital. Story tips can be sent to Adam.Sabes@fox.com and on Twitter @asabes10.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/los-angeles-requires-youth-basketball-participants-to-wear-masks-critic-calls-policy-dangerous/?feed_id=13716&_unique_id=6301d53cb2feb