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Which mask is best for wildfire smoke?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

(KDVR) — With smoke from over 400 Canadian wildfires drifting south and blanketing much of the U.S., Americans are looking for ways to cope with a haze of very unhealthy air. Dr. Anthony Gerber said the people most at risk in smoky conditions are those with lung disease, older people, and the very young. He said if those people have symptoms outside, they may benefit from wearing a well-fitted mask.But keep in mind, surgical and cloth masks do not help in these conditions. "Really, N95s are the only masks which are really proven to be effective," Gerber said.N95 masks filter particles as small as 0.3 micrometers, a fraction of the width of a human hair, according to the California Department of Public Health. Still, masks are not an ideal solution for wildfire smoke. San Francisco health officials previously told SF Gate that sealed buildings with filtered HVAC systems are preferable to mask use. “If you have filters on your home HVAC system, you should make sure they’re up to ...

Lawmakers form renter's caucus to tackle U.S. affordable housing crisis

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

WASHINGTON (Nexstar) – A newly formed group of lawmakers on Capitol Hill say they’re focused on tackling the rental crisis as the United States falls behind in available and affordable units.On Wednesday, members of Congress announced the new Renter’s Caucus. Congressmen Jimmy Gomez and Dan Goldman say they’ll focus on finding solutions to the crisis.Gomez noted that unaffordable rents ultimately hurt the U.S. economy and productivity. “For the first time since data started being recorded 20 years ago, the average American renter is now considered rent burdened, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income to rent,” Rep. Jimmy Gomez (R-CA) said.“We can make sure that we have very robust renter protections so that landlords cannot dramatically increase the rents and ultimately kick renters out,” Rep. Danny Goldman (D-NY) added.Advocates and lawmakers want to tackle issues like rental housing discrimination and affordability.“This caucus is launching in the midst of an ongoing ...

Hot, stagnant weather with isolated showers and thunderstorms

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- Light winds and hot temperatures are leading to higher than normal pollution levels in the Austin Metro area through the rest of the week. Those with sensitive respiratory conditions may consider limiting outdoor exercise. Another Ozone Action Day is in effect on Thursday. Consider limiting your pollution footprint by carpooling, turning up your thermostat 1-2 degrees, or waiting to fill up your gas tank until after sunset.Ozone Action Day in effect again ThursdayWhile rain remains isolated overnight, a weak disturbance swings in on Thursday leading to a higher 30% chance of afternoon/evening showers and thunderstorms. Some storms may be strong to severe, with a 1-out-of-5 threat of severe thunderstorms expected areawide.Second day outlook from the Storm Prediction CenterAs a few isolated late-day storms continue through the weekend, heat becomes the dominant weather story. A building ridge of high pressure sends high temperatures to the upper 90s this weekend -- th...

Yankees-White Sox game postponed due to Canadian wildfire smoke causing air quality issues in New York

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

UPDATE: The Yankees announced that Wednesday night’s game against the Chicago White Sox at Yankee Stadium has been postponed because of the poor air quality due to smoke from the Canadian wildfires.The two teams will play a single-admission doubleheader on Thursday.Major League Baseball had been monitoring the hazy situation in New York City and above Yankee Stadium, a major league source told the Daily News earlier in the day.The league consulted medical and weather experts on Tuesday night, when smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted south into the United States. New York City was among the impacted areas, and the Yankees and White Sox played beneath the smog at Yankee Stadium as fans watched — despite the air quality index (AQI) reaching levels deemed “unhealthy” and “very unhealthy” by the Environmental Protection Agency.Per the EPA, an AQI in the 0-50 range is considered “good.” The 101-150 range is considered “unhealthy for ...

Peter Chin-Hong: We’ve made huge advances against COVID. Why is it still killing so many people?

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

Many immunocompromised and older people are still terrified of COVID. As a transplant infectious disease doctor on the front lines, I understand why.In the first five months of 2023, COVID caused more than 37,000 deaths in the U.S., a typical toll from the flu in an entire year. Scientists estimate an annual U.S. COVID death rate of at least 100,000, dwarfing other infectious diseases. And the virus continues to evolve: The highly transmissible XBB.1.16 subvariant (Arcturus), currently making up about 15% of cases nationally, is expected to be the dominant strain by summer. Wastewater surveillance is also showing an uptick in the virus in New York City and elsewhere.Meanwhile, the federal public health emergency ended last month, and across the country the pandemic has moved to back of mind. It’s not surprising that the most vulnerable feel left behind.Yet at the same time, health professionals are optimistic about today’s anti-COVID arsenal.Biomedical advances have revo...

Loons abuzz at prospect of playing against Lionel Messi next season

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

Lionel Messi has pulled off his latest stunning feat: He is joining Inter Miami of Major League Soccer.“I still haven’t closed it 100 percent,’ Messi said in an interviews with Spanish news outlets Mundo Deportivo and Sport. “I’m still missing some things, but we decided to continue the path.”MLS confirmed a deal is being brokered with the Argentine great after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup. The league said they are “pleased” to be working toward a formal agreement. The Athletic said the contract might include Messi receiving revenue sharing from new Apple TV subscriptions and profit sharing from Adidas merchandise increases.Minnesota United does not play against Inter Miami this season, given MLS’ imbalanced schedule between Eastern and Western Conference clubs. MNUFC played at Miami in 2022, and might face Messi in Minnesota next year.The Loons’ training on Wednesday morning was abuzz over Messi’s blockbuster move.“I would like to be saying he was joining Minnesota United,...

St. Paul: Grand Old Day drew up to 175,000. Some businesses took part, others closed up

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

The wiener dog races were thronged with onlookers. A family fun run drew 160 participants, far surpassing the goal. And live music was performed on the avenue. Those and other aspects of Grand Old Day’s come-back celebration attracted an estimated 150,000 to 175,000 visitors to Grand Avenue on Sunday, likely netting the Grand Avenue Business Association at least a small profit toward its year-round promotion of the three-mile business corridor.But shortly before last weekend’s 51st anniversary revival of Grand Old Day  — which hadn’t been held since 2019 — Dan Marshall took a quick survey of fellow shopkeepers within a two-block radius of Grand and Victoria avenues, the location of his toy store, Mischief Toys.J.W. Hulme leather goods would be closed for the day-long celebration. Ditto for Freewheel Bike. And the Bread and Chocolate eatery. And Golden Fig Fine Foods. And InVision Distinctive Eyewear. And Pottery Barn home decor. And the Lovesac furnitur...

Hochul gives update on air quality

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10) — Gov. Kathy Hochul is speaking on the air quality across New York State. Far and wide, a smoky smell is pervading the Empire State due to Canadian wildfires. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Visibility is also very low in New York, with Hochul urging schools to cancel programs earlier on Wednesday.

Experience a family movie night at Long Pond Beach

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

GRAFTON, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- On June 23, the Grafton Lakes State Park is hosting a free family movie night on Long Pond Beach. The kid-friendly, PG-rated movie will be shown on a 16' big screen starting at 9 p.m. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! Visitors are encouraged to bring a blanket and chairs or seats. No registration is required for the event. The movie is being kept under wraps, but according to the park, it involves a blocky group of heroes banding together to stop an evil villain from conquering their colorful world.

Districts, athletic orgs postpone outdoor activities due to air quality

Published Fri, 21 Feb 2025 15:30:45 GMT

CAPITAL REGION, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- The poor air quality impacting the Capital Region comes at a time when there are spring sports championships and outdoor school activities on the calendar. Get the latest, news, weather, sports and community events delivered right to your inbox! “This is a phenomenon that we literally didn’t see coming,” said Joseph Hochreiter, Albany City School District Superintendent.His district, like most others in the area have rescheduled outdoor field trips and moved physical education classes and recess indoors Wednesday."We believe we’ll be able to resume tomorrow, but we’re going to keep a close eye on it. Certainly, our schools have field days and outside activities, but we are building contingent plans to make sure that students don’t lose out on those opportunities,“ Hochreiter said.NYSPHSAA postponed the boys' lacrosse semifinals. Niskayuna was supposed to take on Garden City Wednesday afternoon. The team from Long Island already made the trip up to...