Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Grab An N95 Mask: Wildfire Smoke Will Intensify Today Across Large Swaths Of US
The Washington Post: Wildfire Smoke Will Worsen In The Northeast And Mid-Atlantic Through Friday
Through Friday, more than 115 million people are forecast to be exposed to air quality levels that are unhealthy or worse as winds funnel smoke south from out-of-control fires in Canada and Minnesota — and a heat dome traps that smoke near the ground. (Noll, 7/16)
ABC News: As Smoke From Canadian Wildfires Blankets The US, Can Wearing A Mask Help?
For those who need to work outdoors, are more sensitive to smoke or are in a high-risk group, wearing a mask can help protect you -- as long as it's the right kind of mask. (Kekatos, 7/16)
Bloomberg: Overlapping Weather Disasters Challenge US Amid Trump Cuts
Across the US this week, different disasters — from Canadian wildfire smoke darkening the skies in the Midwest and Northeast to extreme heat along the East Coast to catastrophic flooding in Texas — are disrupting daily life and putting people's health at risk. When multiple weather catastrophes play out like this at the same time, or in quick succession, experts refer to them as compound events. As climate change makes compound events more likely, experts warned that grappling with them is further complicated by the Trump administration’s cuts to disaster work. (Hirji and Woody, 7/16)
AP: Spain Practices Outside Before The World Cup Final As Smoke Fills The Air
With the sun obstructed by haze, Spain’s players practiced Thursday ahead of the World Cup final outside in northern New Jersey while air conditions are hazardous because of smoke from Canadian wildfires. It was not clear how fast-paced a practice Spain held. Media members are only able to observe the first 15 minutes of what was scheduled to be a hourlong session in East Hanover beginning at 11 a.m. EDT. (Whyno and Borenstein, 7/16)
