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Two Concerns About Breathing: COVID-19 And Smoke

Geoffrey Riley/JPR News
Smoke in a previous fire season.

Health officials around the world already have their hands full with a disease that makes it hard to breathe. Klamath County was the first in the region to add an air quality advisor on top of that.

Fires happen in the summer here, and they bring smoke. By Tuesday of this week (July 28th), air quality readings shot up into the unhealthy zone in Klamath Falls, and warnings went out from the Weather Service and Klamath County Public Health.

At least SOME of the face masks in use for COVID-19 are also good for filtering smoke. Valeree Lane, Public Information Officer for the county health department, talks about precautions.

Also in the discussion: Dr. Richard Leman, Chief Medical Officer, Oregon Health Authority, Public Health Division.

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The Jefferson Exchange is Jefferson Public Radio's daily news program focused on issues, people and events across Southern Oregon and Northern California. Angela Decker is the program's senior producer, Charlie Zimmermann is the assistant producer, and Geoffrey Riley hosts the show.