What is wrong with you people?
No—seriously. What in the frozen tundra is wrong with you?
I’m trying to understand the decisions folks are making out here while we’re coming off record-breaking cold snaps, sub-zero temperatures, and snowfall so heavy it shut entire counties down. In my area, we had a Level 3 snow emergency—the kind where you’re not supposed to be out at all unless it’s absolutely critical. Get caught driving? You’re subject to being arrested.
And yet…
Two days ago, I watched someone stroll into the grocery store wearing shorts and a T-shirt.
Shorts.
In February.
After a week of sub-zero temperatures.
I’ve always told my children: dress for the weather. They’re grown men now, and every once in a while they still get it wrong—light jacket, hoodie, “I’ll be fine.” And I always ask the same question:
What happens if the car breaks down?
What if we get into an accident?
What if you have to evacuate a building?
You don’t dress for convenience.
You dress for survival.
That lesson hit home years ago when we were driving through Pennsylvania on our way to my in-laws in Maryland. The van broke down high up in the mountains. We had to get out of the van at one point—and that’s when I realized my third son hadn’t packed a coat.
So I gave him mine.
There I was, freezing, shaking—but focused on protecting my child. The anger came later. Because love makes you do what you have to do in the moment… and then you process the stupidity afterward.
Even back in high school, I understood this. I had the ugliest winter coat you’ve ever seen—and I loved it. Because ugly meant warm. While others were trying to be cute in tight, short outfits that didn’t do a damn thing, I was out there throwing snowballs, walking at night, kissing my girl on the ground in the snow, living my life comfortably.
And guess who I saw freezing every single time?
The cute ones.
Hands buried in pockets.
Rushing from Point A to Point B.
Miserable.
Meanwhile, I was just fine.
Here’s the part that really gets me:
It’s so cold out right now that even criminals don’t want to be outside. Gang activity slows down. Knuckleheads disappear.
Nobody will even open their window long enough to throw anything at you.
And yet…
Sadly, someone still got shot to death in West Columbus last week.
In negative five-degree weather.
With all respect to the deceased, I’m sitting there asking myself: How? Why? What are you even doing outside? Unless someone was stealing another person’s hot cocoa at a gas station, I just don’t see the justification.
When I think of people who commit crimes in this weather, it’s just to get into a warm jail cell.
That’s how serious cold is. The homeless are scrambling for shelter. This isn’t “cute cold.” This is dangerous cold. Greenland cold…
So please—
Stay your butt inside unless you absolutely have to be out.
Dress like you might have to survive outside for an hour.
Wear the ugly coat. Carry the gloves. Put your hat on!
And while we’re at it, be kind to the people who have to be out in this mess—the ones serving you while you’re safe inside your four warm walls.
Some of you are calling cable companies to install or repair lines. I worked for a cable company, and part of my job involved ride-alongs with service technicians. I’ve seen what they go through—breaking up ice just to plant a ladder in your frozen lawn, then climbing the side of your house in brutal conditions just so you can watch TV comfortably.
Postal service delivery has slowed or stopped in many areas, often because sidewalks were shoveled but mailboxes weren’t. Delivery drivers—DoorDash and others—are overwhelmed because folks want game-time food but didn’t buy ingredients before the shelves were gutted. Now those drivers are braving icy roads and dangerous weather to get your food to you hot and on time, sometimes without so much as a tip.
So keep people like this in mind during extreme cold.
Thank them.
Show appreciation.
Offer patience and grace.
And remember—unless you absolutely have to shovel or your job requires you to be out there, don’t be.
Enjoy the warmth of your home.
Enjoy your family.
Enjoy being alive.
Because whatever it is out there?
It can wait.
Safety Tips For Extreme Cold Weather
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