Developing Resilience to Emergencies: Evaluation of Thermal Indices and Outdoor Comfort Before and During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This research discusses thermal indices and outdoor comfort before during the Coronavirus Disease of 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in three counties Connecticut (41.6032°N, 73.0877°W), United States. The are Fairfield, Hartford, New Haven. Existing noted that people residing highly populated urban low-income areas disproportionately affected by subject to health, heat, cold stress-related problems. As a result, study is motivated examine account for over 75% population state. specific aim year determine if significantly affects occupants their overall well-being. Due lesser activities observed than pandemic, questions include 1) Does provide more comfortable environment period pandemic? 2) cleaner with no or stress approaches field data recorded 2020. also utilized observations mathematical models. findings revealed mean monthly temperatures varied from −3.2°C 25.2°C relative humidity ranged 62.6–70.7%. wintertime, especially Fairfield. Heat summertime across counties. Haven prone heat other because some factors (such as climate change, land area, higher incidence solar radiation, etc.). Higher reported 2020 (during pandemic) computed (pre-pandemic) which could influence comfort, well-being people. strongly influenced dew-point. A combination environmental variables such temperature wind speed have significant effects on indices. recommends use clean energy running infrastructure systems would help mitigating impact change various locations. investigation suggests thorough evaluation conditions interventions should be explored developing resilience emergencies cities areas. outcomes useful information designers, planners, stakeholders, policymakers, etc., develop pathways achieving resilient zero-carbon places.