PSA to everyone in California (or on the West Coast in general): I strongly suggest you go to Home Depot and pick up a pack of N95 or N99 respirators. They quickly sold out everywhere when Seattle had major fires, and even Amazon was backordered. You want ones with exhaust valves to facilitate comfortable breathing, and TWO straps, not earloops or a single strap! Surgical masks and bandannas don't make a good enough seal or have a tight enough weave to effectively filter out smoke.
Avoid fancy-looking neoprene fashion statement masks because they're generally bullshit.
If you have kids/elderly or asthmatics among your family *or your pets*, invest in HEPA air cleaners for your home. Pets need to breathe clean air, too!
And FYI, acute asthma attacks can kill, and kill quickly. If you have severe asthma or any other breathing issues, and you live on the west coast, consider carrying an epipen. An inhaler won't help you if you can't inhale it!
@malice an epipen can stop an asthma attack??
@Kitty62862 Yes. Epinephrine is a bronchodilator. Both severe allergic reactions and asthma attacks can result in the constriction of the airway. An EpiPen doesn't reverse all symptoms of an allergic reactions, it just prevents you from dying due to anaphylactic shock, which acts similarly to asthma by impeding breathing. You use an EpiPen in both instances to open the airway, then seek medical assistance in the form of steroids and/or antihistamines to control the rest.
@malice Thank you. Too bad they’re not available OTC. It’s one of those controversial price gouge items.
@Kitty62862 A generic version was approved in August.
@malice 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
@malice a two pack is 109.99 at CVS. That’s $55 per dose. For emergency life saving. Not bad.
Fire is unfortunately the new normal out here, so prepare accordingly and in advance.