373. The Celebration

New Jersey officials have confirmed at least nineteen suspected heat-related deaths since Thursday of last week. The deaths occurred during a severe heat wave that coincided with the July Fourth weekend. July Fourth is the American holiday that celebrates freedom, independence, and the right to be outdoors.

The heat wave affected New Jersey's central and northern areas most severely. New Jersey is a state of approximately nine million people, most of whom were within commuting distance of a city during the holiday. The cities were also hot. The outdoors were hot. The July Fourth weekend is characterized by outdoor activities, including fireworks, barbecues, and gatherings of people who have driven to see each other specifically because it is a holiday, and this year those activities were conducted in conditions severe enough to kill nineteen people.

The deaths are described as suspected heat-related, which means investigators believe the heat was responsible but are continuing to review the circumstances. The circumstances include July, New Jersey, and being outside. The review is ongoing.

July Fourth commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence, which states that all men are created equal and are endowed with certain unalienable rights, among them life. The temperature during the July Fourth weekend in New Jersey did not reflect awareness of this document. The temperature was in the nineties. It may have been higher. Officials are still counting.

The holiday will take place again next year. It will occur in July, which is typically the hottest month in New Jersey. Organizers of outdoor July Fourth celebrations are presumably aware of this. They are proceeding. The fireworks are already scheduled. New Jersey has room for both the fireworks and the heat advisory, and officials have confirmed that both will be available.