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New York’s Apocalyptic Air Isn’t Deadly for Me. It Can Be for Others. | The New Republic

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During New York’s dangerous air quality days, I could retreat into my air-filtered apartment. What about those who can’t?

This week, for the first time in months, I put on an N95 mask to go for a walk outside. Despite the threat Covid-19 still presents, that’s not why I masked up. I live in New York City, where smoke from Canadian wildfires arrived this week to paint the skies a hazy orange. That’s the thing about air pollution: It knows no borders. Neither does the climate crisis, which is ultimately behind the dual public health and environmental crises these wildfires present. This week, New York City’s air ranks among the world’s worst. And it is particularly dangerous—and potentially deadly—for those most vu

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