A cold front that's blamed for 55 deaths from Texas to New England is making life miserable for Bronx residents.

The mercury dipped to the 20s in New York City in the past week. The city can declare a cold weather emergency when temperatures drop below 32 degrees, meaning homeless people can be brought into shelters against their will. City health officials say frostbite, hypothermia, fatigue and body temperatures below 96 degrees can set in with exposure to extreme cold. The elderly and children are especially at risk.

Many residents say they're more concerned about the inconvenience of layering up to carry out daily activities.