😓 Texas Heatwave or A Case of Mistaken Highs? When 100°F (37.7°C) Got Too Lit 🔥
TL;DR: 24-year-old Texan construction worker dies of extreme heatstroke while on the job. Misjudged as being on drugs, did legislation just turn a blind eye to sun-baked workers?
While most of us dream about that golden tan 🌞, a young worker found himself at the receiving end of Texas’s scorching sun. For Gabriel Infante, a day at work on June 23, 2022, digging to move internet fiber optic cables in San Antonio with his childhood buddy became his last. But, hold up! 🤔 Was it the sun or something more sinister?
Remember that shady bill that Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, signed into law just nine days before Infante’s incident? Yeah, the one that chucked out those “let’s give workers a break from the melting sun” rules in cities like Austin and Dallas. 🙅♂️🥤 Coincidence? I think not!
Mr. Infante, poor guy, starts showing classic “I’m getting cooked” signs. 🌡️ Confused? Check. Dizzy? Check. Passing out? Check. But no! His foreman, not getting the memo, thinks it’s some bad trip and screams, “Drugs!” When the real emergency dudes arrive, they’re thinking drug tests, not ice baths.
Here’s the kicker: On that fateful day, the temperatures in San Antonio weren’t just hot, they were “oven preheating” hot, touching a boiling 100°F (37.7°C) with a side of 75% humidity. 🥵 Infante’s final body temperature? A whopping 109.8°F (43.2C). For those of you thinking, “So? I’ve been in saunas hotter than that!” – the CDC says anything above 103°F (39.4C) spells heatstroke danger.
Gabriel’s mom, Velma Infante, pours her heart out, sharing the aftermath of her tragic loss. Ever missed a call and imagined the worst? Now, that’s her reality every day. 📞❌ This Texas heat doesn’t just bring sweat to her brow but tears to her eyes, especially seeing Gabriel’s buddies graduate, knowing her son would never toss that hat in the air.
And Gabriel wasn’t just any dude. He was the guy who would share his last chip with you, the lad who lived for music, especially the sax 🎷. Velma now hopes to keep his passion alive through a music scholarship in his memory.
Joshua Espinoza, Gabriel’s best bud since forever, didn’t just lose a friend; he lost faith in the system. Pointing fingers at that questionable bill, he comments, “It’s blatant process over people. Greg Abbott doesn’t care about workers at all.” 😤
The justice scales ⚖️ are now wobbling with B Comm Constructors, the company Infante worked for, facing a potential fine of $13,052 for, you know, letting their workers turn into toast. Oh, and let’s not forget the hefty $1m lawsuit filed by Infante’s grieving mother, claiming absolute zilch protection or training against the sun’s fury.
B Comm Constructors? Radio silent. 🤐
Disclaimer: This story is not intended as legal or investment advice. It’s just the word on the street! Remember to always do your own research.
But here’s where I’m going to throw the ball in your court 🎾: Are companies solely to blame, or should legislation step up its game? Should safety always trump business?
