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"Remember the European heatwave back in 2003? That killed tens of thousands of people, mostly elderly. If most of the dead in this case are elderly, a death toll this high doesn’t surprise me."

But a heat wave is different; unless you have air-conditioning, which I am sure many elderly don't have, you can't escape the heat. But unless we are talking about homeless people, the elderly would presumably live in heated buildings during a cold spell, so would be protected from the worst effects of the cold.

Oh, don’t get me started on the conditions in state-run facilities for the elderly there. Or on the cost of fuel for old folks on a shoestring budget. Nobody’s suggesting that there are human popsicles piling up, at least so far, but if exposure to temps colder than is healthy for people is causing increased numbers to fall ill and die, then I’d call it cold-related. Especially if most of the dead are elderly.

I DON’T blame the weather, however. I blame the families who are able to care for them and don’t, and society for failing the rest.