Thanks, Trump, For the Next Terrible Thing!

[BarryLaverty]

When will the locust be here?!!! 

World

A massive dust cloud is barreling toward the U.S. The health impacts could be deadly.

Denise Chow

June 24, 2020, 9:48 AM CDT

 

 

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Coronavirus-stricken U.S. faces another problem: A massive dust cloud from Africa

A massive plume of dust from the Sahara Desert is drifting across the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to blanket parts of the Southeastern United States this week.

The enormous dust cloud — which some experts say could be the biggest and most intense Saharan plume in 50 years — could aggravate health problems, including asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and make visibility difficult on the ground.

"Dust particles are what we call particulate matter, and we know that breathing in fine particles of anything is not good for the respiratory tract — especially people who are sensitive to poor air quality," said Thomas Gill, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso.

The added dust pollution may be particularly problematic in light of the coronavirus pandemic, because COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is a respiratory illness.

"There is some emerging information that people who live in places with higher levels of air pollution may be at higher risk" of COVID-19, said Gregory Wellenius, a professor of environmental health at the Boston University School of Public Health. "There may be potential interactions between air pollution and COVID symptoms or progression, but it's still pretty early data."

Still, the potential health impacts of the dusty air could put more pressure on the country's overburdened health care system, Wellenius said.

"Things like the wildfire season, hurricane season and extreme weather events, including this dust storm, may be magnified this year because resources are already stretched thin," Wellenius said. "Just because we're in a pandemic world doesn't mean that other hazards that we tend to worry about aren't happening."

Part of the dusty veil has already reached the Caribbean Sea, and thick haze was reported Monday over Puerto Rico, Antigua and other islands in the region, according to The Associated Press.

Forecasts project that the dust cloud — which stretches thousands of miles — could swirl into the Gulf of Mexico and waft over Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere in the Southeast in the coming days.

Download the NBC News app for breaking news and alerts

It's not unusual for dust plumes that originate in Africa to drift thousands of miles across the ocean, but Gill said this event is especially large and intense. Astronaut Doug Hurley, who is aboard the International Space Station, snapped a dramatic photo Sunday showing the immensity of the plume over the west-central Atlantic Ocean.

"A dust cloud has to be incredibly large and very thick to be that evident from the space station," Gill said. "This one literally sticks out like a sore thumb — or maybe like a dirty thumb."

These types of dust clouds occur every year when a mass of very dry air, known as the Saharan Air Layer, forms over the Sahara Desert. The plumes form when "ripples in the lower to middle atmosphere, called tropical waves, track along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert and loft vast amounts of dust into the atmosphere," Jason Dunion, an associate scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Research Division, said in a statement.

 

 

NBC

Dusty outbreaks in the Sahara typically peak from late June to mid-August, but Dunion said this week's event is "impressive for its size and the amount of dry, dusty air that it contains."

When dust clouds waft across the ocean, they are carried by the same trade winds that blow west off the coast of Africa, and they can churn up tropical storms and hurricanes, Gill said.

"It's all part of the same global circulation of the atmosphere," he said.

Sahara Air Layer activity coincides with the early part of the Atlantic hurricane season, but the dusty outbreaks typically suppress the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes, which need moisture to develop and thrive.

"That's the silver lining with these dust clouds," Gill said. "It has to do with the dryness of the air mass, because you need very, very moist air to create things like tropical storms or hurricanes."

Gill warned that as the dust drifts over cities and towns, the hazy conditions could trigger air pollution alerts, and he urged people to heed public health advisories.

"It's important to pay attention to any alerts or warnings from air quality agencies," he said, "especially for people directly in the path of the dust cloud."

[CarthDawg77]

7 hours ago, NATUREBOY98 said:

Sorry. This is getting comical. If you don’t believe the end is near, maybe a boil needs to pop up on your nutz sack to whip you into shape. 

Everything bad is “Trump’s Fault”.

[DannyZuco]

11 hours ago, BarryLaverty said:

When will the locust be here?!!! 

World

A massive dust cloud is barreling toward the U.S. The health impacts could be deadly.

Denise Chow

June 24, 2020, 9:48 AM CDT

 

 

• 

• 

•  

1 / 3

 

Coronavirus-stricken U.S. faces another problem: A massive dust cloud from Africa

A massive plume of dust from the Sahara Desert is drifting across the Atlantic Ocean and is expected to blanket parts of the Southeastern United States this week.

The enormous dust cloud — which some experts say could be the biggest and most intense Saharan plume in 50 years — could aggravate health problems, including asthma and other respiratory illnesses, and make visibility difficult on the ground.

"Dust particles are what we call particulate matter, and we know that breathing in fine particles of anything is not good for the respiratory tract — especially people who are sensitive to poor air quality," said Thomas Gill, a professor of geological sciences at the University of Texas at El Paso.

The added dust pollution may be particularly problematic in light of the coronavirus pandemic, because COVID-19, the disease caused by the virus, is a respiratory illness.

"There is some emerging information that people who live in places with higher levels of air pollution may be at higher risk" of COVID-19, said Gregory Wellenius, a professor of environmental health at the Boston University School of Public Health. "There may be potential interactions between air pollution and COVID symptoms or progression, but it's still pretty early data."

Still, the potential health impacts of the dusty air could put more pressure on the country's overburdened health care system, Wellenius said.

"Things like the wildfire season, hurricane season and extreme weather events, including this dust storm, may be magnified this year because resources are already stretched thin," Wellenius said. "Just because we're in a pandemic world doesn't mean that other hazards that we tend to worry about aren't happening."

Part of the dusty veil has already reached the Caribbean Sea, and thick haze was reported Monday over Puerto Rico, Antigua and other islands in the region, according to The Associated Press.

Forecasts project that the dust cloud — which stretches thousands of miles — could swirl into the Gulf of Mexico and waft over Texas, Louisiana and elsewhere in the Southeast in the coming days.

Download the NBC News app for breaking news and alerts

It's not unusual for dust plumes that originate in Africa to drift thousands of miles across the ocean, but Gill said this event is especially large and intense. Astronaut Doug Hurley, who is aboard the International Space Station, snapped a dramatic photo Sunday showing the immensity of the plume over the west-central Atlantic Ocean.

"A dust cloud has to be incredibly large and very thick to be that evident from the space station," Gill said. "This one literally sticks out like a sore thumb — or maybe like a dirty thumb."

These types of dust clouds occur every year when a mass of very dry air, known as the Saharan Air Layer, forms over the Sahara Desert. The plumes form when "ripples in the lower to middle atmosphere, called tropical waves, track along the southern edge of the Sahara Desert and loft vast amounts of dust into the atmosphere," Jason Dunion, an associate scientist at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Hurricane Research Division, said in a statement.

 

 

NBC

Dusty outbreaks in the Sahara typically peak from late June to mid-August, but Dunion said this week's event is "impressive for its size and the amount of dry, dusty air that it contains."

When dust clouds waft across the ocean, they are carried by the same trade winds that blow west off the coast of Africa, and they can churn up tropical storms and hurricanes, Gill said.

"It's all part of the same global circulation of the atmosphere," he said.

Sahara Air Layer activity coincides with the early part of the Atlantic hurricane season, but the dusty outbreaks typically suppress the formation of tropical storms and hurricanes, which need moisture to develop and thrive.

"That's the silver lining with these dust clouds," Gill said. "It has to do with the dryness of the air mass, because you need very, very moist air to create things like tropical storms or hurricanes."

Gill warned that as the dust drifts over cities and towns, the hazy conditions could trigger air pollution alerts, and he urged people to heed public health advisories.

"It's important to pay attention to any alerts or warnings from air quality agencies," he said, "especially for people directly in the path of the dust cloud."

Barry, you have gone freaking over the top now. Natural occurrences being blamed on the President. IF you really believe this type of  then there is really NO HOPE for you. SSDD!!!!!

[BarryLaverty]

7 minutes ago, DannyZuco said:

Barry, you have gone freaking over the top now. Natural occurrences being blamed on the President. IF you really believe this type of  then there is really NO HOPE for you. SSDD!!!!!

You have lost it if you think I really blame Trump for this, but stand ready to attack all criticism of your secret crush! 

[DannyZuco]

3 minutes ago, BarryLaverty said:

You have lost it if you think I really blame Trump for this, but stand ready to attack all criticism of your secret crush! 

Okay, you got me. But you have to remember, you are the guy that attacks the President of the United States daily. But I'll admit, I was shocked, considering we've had these in the past. Especially when visiting my wife's parents in Florida--we'd come outside and the car would be covered with sand. That's when I learned a lot about these sand storms coming over from Africa. And according to "Naked & Afraid" there has been a major drought in the southern part of Africa for about 7 years. But I'd have to look that one up. 

My apologies sir. 

[DAWG91]

1 hour ago, NATUREBOY98 said:

I think @BarryLaverty was actually showing a bit a sarcasm here with his title. 

I thought same thing.   Surely not even he's that far gone.

[PepeSilvia]

[Hagar]

Glad to see Barry has a sense of humor.   Don’t see much of that these days.   Good job you scoundrel.  

[DaveTV1]

7 hours ago, PepeSilvia said:

This is the best I've seen.  I don't mind the Sahara Dust, and I actually welcome it, unless it is the sand-ghost-thing (man/bear/pig).  I know some people have respiratory issues that will be effected, but I like the side effects of no hurricanes.  Instead of a :  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M3nswy0LNsE .  It means a hazy shade of summer.  I'd rather cough and sneeze from it, than drown from flood.  

[RETIREDFAN1]

We get a dust cloud from the Sahara EVERY June.......

[BarryLaverty]

19 minutes ago, Raiderfan7000 said:

Still waiting on Barry to explain how this is Trump fault? If he doesn’t wanna admit his TDS now he never will.

Did you not see that others noticed I was being sarcastic? Uh...

[Coach Rab]

If COVID doesn't kill you, the dust will  

 

[Coach Rab]

1 hour ago, BarryLaverty said:

Did you not see that others noticed I was being sarcastic? Uh...

You are speaking to Lion... Sometimes you just have to "understand"   

[DB2point0]

Barry, you should lock the doors, throw the main breaker, unplug the phones, turn your cell phone off and hide in your safe space til after the election in November.  I bet there will be lots of bad things happen before then.  You should hide in a safe space to prevent something bad happening to you.  We’ll come knock on your door Dec1 to check on you

[CarthDawg77]

24 minutes ago, Raiderfan7000 said:

My mistake I get lost in your hypocrisy.

So does he.

[BarryLaverty]

4 hours ago, DB2point0 said:

Barry, you should lock the doors, throw the main breaker, unplug the phones, turn your cell phone off and hide in your safe space til after the election in November.  I bet there will be lots of bad things happen before then.  You should hide in a safe space to prevent something bad happening to you.  We’ll come knock on your door Dec1 to check on you

You sound just like one of the many jack wagons that does all that heavy breathing mouthing like that then catches Covid! Hope not. 

[DB2point0]

6 minutes ago, BarryLaverty said:

You sound just like one of the many jack wagons that does all that heavy breathing mouthing like that then catches Covid! Hope not. 

If I catch it, I catch it.  So far it isn’t rough on the folks my age according to the expert medical folks.  You look old, so you should hunker down and hide a while.  Don’t forget your mask

[BarryLaverty]

14 minutes ago, DB2point0 said:

If I catch it, I catch it.  So far it isn’t rough on the folks my age according to the expert medical folks.  You look old, so you should hunker down and hide a while.  Don’t forget your mask

I DO wear a mask out in public so I can go check on my mom and my in-laws, who are severely susceptible, and I am in a job, where because I work with lots of people daily as a rule, I could be a super spreader, even if I am not ill. Plus, I am not a self righteous ### like yourself. 

[DB2point0]

30 minutes ago, BarryLaverty said:

I DO wear a mask out in public so I can go check on my mom and my in-laws, who are severely susceptible, and I am in a job, where because I work with lots of people daily as a rule, I could be a super spreader, even if I am not ill. Plus, I am not a self righteous ### like yourself. 

What have I said that’s made you think I’m self righteous?  I’m just beyond the scared shitless like all the liberals are.  I think those that need to hide should hide, while the world around them keeps on spinning.  I used to think opposite for a while, but this virus has proven to be no worse than the flu.  It’s just that certain political agendas are trying to keep it more deadly than it really is.  I know multiple folks that have had it and they’ve all said the same.  It made them feel tired, and basically felt like the flu.  I also know those thatve had it and say they never knew they had it.  One political party is just trying to make it worse in hopes of using it against trump come November.  It’s not working so far.  It’s backfiring.