"Saharan dust is a phenomenon that occurs yearly, but in much a 2020 fashion, the one this year had to be the worst in... 50/60 years"
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment put out a warning about potential poor air quality from Saharan dust that moved into the region this weekend. “The Saharan dust came from the Sahara Desert in Africa, where storms can lift the dust into the atmosphere,” the KDHE said. “Dust is picked up by trade winds and carried thousands of miles across the Atlantic and eventually to the U.S. The particulate matter from this event has the potential to impact Kansas. The KDHE said particulate matter can cause health problems, even in healthy individuals.
On the Missouri side:
"Well, the nightmare that is 2020 rolls on and now instead of dealing with only a dangerous pandemic and a massive economic crisis and a complete moron in the White House, we also might have to worry about getting taken out by a cloud of dust." A quote from the Riverfront Times https://www.riverfronttimes.com/newsblog/2020/06/25/a-massive-dust-cloud-is-headed-to-the-st-louis-area
Potential Health Impact of the Dust Storm: https://nypost.com/2020/06/26/what-are-the-health-impacts-of-the-sahara-dust-storm/
Luckily, our area wasn't as hard hit as the Southern US. Although I have respiratory sensitives, I spend a lot of today outside. Being able to go outside is precious when you're confirmed to Stay-at-Home social isolation. The sky was only cloudy from the dust and very dull all day. Duller than the photos captured. However, I really didn't notice any significant breathing difficulties. Nor did I see a colorful sunrise or sunset that can come with particulates in the air.
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