As of this writing, there are 1,000 wildfires in Canada. Washington State is being scorched with 79,000 acres burned in July; 21,300 in August. Louisiana reported more than 440 wildfires in August alone.

And no matter where you live, the smoke and particulate matter that the fires spread can impact your immediate and long-term health.

A study published in the journal PLOS Climate looked at the health of 725 Californians exposed to the 2018 Camp Fire and found that they not only had chronic symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSD, they also struggled with cognitive deficits.

The long-term cognitive deficits may be the most serious issue, but particulates also increase asthma-related visits to the emergency room. In New York, they increased 82% when Canadian fire pollution reached dangerous levels.

This brings up the unwelcome prospect of returning to mask wearing in some situations. Clearly, when air quality is "moderate" people with COPD or asthma may need masks when outdoors; and everyone should wear them when the air is rated unhealthy because of particulate matter (associated with fires and other pollutants).

And what the increasing cases of COVID-19 and the appearance of a new COVID-19 variant?

It's the same advice as for wildfires. People at high risk for complications from COVID-19, whether vaccinated or unvaccinated, should wear a mask whenever indoors in spaces with low-air circulation and always in crowded environments. The rest should go with what they think is smart for them and their loved ones.