SCRANTON -- The brutally cold temperatures and wind chills have been blamed for half a dozen deaths in the Keystone State.
And many said the arctic weather is keeping them home from restaurants, gyms, shops and more.
Students at the University of Scranton rushed to and from classes Thursday
"I'm just like concerned about black ice and stuff and the freezing temperatures," said Molly Retinger, a student on her way home from class.
"I think a lot of people are probably staying in because of how cold it is. I'm definitely over the winter. It's too cold," said another student, David Vanora.
At The Salon at Lavish in downtown Scranton, customers were still coming for hair color and cuts Thursday, despite the cold, but people there told Newswatch 16 the bitter cold is limiting how often they leave the house.
"Definitely getting up in the morning and trying to get to the gym has taken me a little more effort and I'm not going as frequently as I have and it's just nicer to be home and sleep in and after work and stuff you don't want to do anything but just get home," said Mary Mulkerin.
At City Market and Cafe in Scranton, business, like the temperatures, has dropped.
"Most definitely, yes. I'd be home if I didn't have to come out. If I didn't have to work, I'd be home for sure," said employee Patricia Zimmer.
The icy air has had the opposite effect on business at Electric City Hot Yoga in Scranton, where more people than ever seem to be coming in for class, in a room that is about 108 to 112 degrees.
"The minute they walk in the door and they see the water fountain and they smell the bergamot and the heat hits them, they're just like 'Ahh!' It's like being on a tropical island for about 9 minutes or an hour," said Charisse Kerrigan of Electric City Hot Yoga.
