Amid COVID-19, don't ignore the links between poor air quality and public health (Brookings)

[bronxiteforever]

Bookings
PLANETPOLICY
Amid COVID-19, don’t ignore the links between poor air quality and public health
By Jennifer Perron and Samantha Gross,
August 19, 2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in the United States, with deaths surpassing 169,000 and “red zones” emerging in 21 states, preliminary research suggests that people living in communities with significant exposure to air pollutants have an increased risk of hospitalization or even death if exposed to COVID-19. Yet, some of the bedrock environmental laws that protect air quality have been weakened or laxly enforced during the pandemic. Soon after his inauguration, President Trump issued an executive order stating “that for every one new regulation issued, at least two prior regulations be identified for elimination.” In the lead-up to the presidential election in November, President Trump continues to tout this de-regulatory record and rollbacks of environmental protections as chief among his accomplishments.

In recent months, there have been significant rollbacks of major rules affecting air quality, including weakened mercury and air toxics standards for coal plants, reduced stringency for new car fuel economy standards, and denied petitions from states requesting regulatory assistance for air pollution that crosses state lines.

Evidence has shown that exposure to air pollution can increase susceptibility to and exacerbate respiratory illnesses, particularly in urban areas. Research is mounting on the ways that poor local air quality may be linked with adverse health outcomes from COVID-19. A recent study found that areas in the Netherlands with more air pollution have greater caseloads and hospitalizations from COVID-19, while another found a similar relationship with adverse health outcomes in China, and another between air pollution and the spread of COVID-19 in Italy. An earlier Harvard study found that long-term exposure to an additional 1 microgram per cubic meter of fine particulate matter was associated with an 8% increase in death rates from COVID-19.

More here
https://www.brookings.edu/blog/planetpolicy/2020/08/19/amid-covid-19-dont-ignore-the-links-between-poor-air-quality-and-public-health/

[I_UndergroundPanther]

1. We need to get rid of the oil addiction.

Drive less and do sustainable farming practices. The oil companies don't need any more profits or govt.handouts they need to be ended. Asap.

[bronxiteforever]

2. +100 Absolutely