It’s summer in the Gorge: hot, dry, and windy. Perfect conditions for wildfires. There have already been several in the Gorge, and even though we wish and hope there won’t be any more, there probably will be. Besides the personal and economic harm wildfires can cause, the smoke from wildfires can be damaging to our health causing burning eyes, runny nose, scratchy throat, headaches, and illnesses such as bronchitis. The smoke can also worsen chronic heart and lung disease including asthma, emphysema, and COPD.  

So how do we prepare and protect ourselves from wildfire smoke?  

A mask is one way to protect yourself when outdoors. We have all become accustomed to wearing cloth masks during the pandemic, but cloth masks offer little protection against wildfire smoke because they do not effectively catch the harmful small particles when you breathe in. But as we know the masks are effective in slowing the spread of COVID-19 by blocking respiratory droplets you breathe out.  

N95 and KN95 particulate respirator face masks can provide protection from both: wildfire smoke and from getting and spreading COVID-19. The benefit of an N95 and KN95 respirators is that they filter up to 95% of particles in the air as long as they meet the right requirements, are not counterfeit/fake, and fit properly. But many folks find them uncomfortable – when they fit properly, they often require more effort to breathe. They also are more expensive and are meant to be used only once.  

N95 NIOSH-approved masks which are commonly used in the United States are the gold standard and the supply has increased significantly over the last several months. Make sure you purchase a NIOSH approved N95 mask. KN95 respirators are commonly made in China and are similar to N95 masks, but only a few Chinese manufacturers have been approved by the FDA for emergency use. You can find online a list of the NIOSH approved N95 and the FDA–approved KN95 respirator face masks. 

Besides wearing a protective mask when the air quality deteriorates because of wildfire smoke, you can create a cleaner air space at home. Keep doors and windows closed, and if you have one, continuously run a portable air purifier in one or more rooms. If you don’t have an air purifier, an inexpensive and surprisingly effective alternative is making your own DIY filtration unit by sealing a 20–inch square furnace filter (which you can find at any hardware store) with clear pro-strength packing tape to a 20–inch box fan.  

If you have a forced–air system in your home, you may need to talk to a qualified heating and cooling professional about different filters and settings you can use to reduce indoor smoke. (Set to “recirculate” and “on” rather than “auto”.) 

If you want to know more about the air quality in your area, you can find up-to-date information by going to AirNow.gov on your computer or smartphone. AirNow is a one-stop source for air quality data including the air quality index (AQI) for your area, a smoke and fire map, and AQI forecast.  You can also find air quality information on several weather apps such as Weather Bug. 

Besides spoiling the scenic beauty of the Gorge, wildfire smoke can be detrimental to our health and should be avoided if possible. Because we know who’s at risk. Us!   

Some of my most vivid memories are from watching the evening news: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, the Vietnam War, Watergate. This week’s “Remember When” question is who was the broadcast journalist who served as anchorman for the CBS Evening News for nineteen years; often cited as the most trusted man in America”; and always signed off with “And that’s the way it is”? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or send it with the last episode of The Twentieth Century.  

The comedian/actor who found his greatest fame occupying the middle square of the game show Hollywood Squares was Paul Lynde. Since I will be out of town (yes, again, this time for the annual reunion with my sister and brother), I’ll mention those who submitted correct answers next week. 

Well, it’s been another week running so fast I feel like I’m moving backward. Until we meet again, when the going gets tough, the tough – take a nap? 

 
“If stupidity got us into this mess, then why can’t it get us out?” Will Rogers 

 
But do we plan or even discuss how to deal with these possibilities? Rarely. Maybe we think if we ignore the possibility it won’t happen – like believing if you don’t buy snow tires, it won’t snow. But no matter our current health or living situation, we should plan to make sure our wishes are known and to avoid the problems and confusion that may occur when something does happen. 

A great resource is a planning guide for families called “Prepare to Care”, primarily for the adult child but also helpful for the older parent, produced and distributed by the AARP Foundation (https://www.aarp.org/caregiving/prepare-to-care-planning-guide/) “Prepare to Care” offers more information than I can share in this column, but here are several points I found particularly helpful. 
 
First, don’t try to avoid these difficult conversations by making decisions unilaterally. If you are the adult child, you should never make a plan affecting your parent without their knowledge and consent – both to protect your parent and also to protect you – the caregiver – from allegations of abuse and fraud. 
 
Secondly, it is never too early to start the conversation. Ideally, this conversation should take place over a period of time before there is an immediate need – to nurture trusting relationships and to create a plan agreeable to all. 
 
Lastly, use the following ground rules to help navigate these or any difficult conversations. 
 
1. Don’t start with preconceived ideas. You can’t assume what your loved ones will think or how they will respond. 2. Enter into the conversation with the idea of listening instead of telling. No one wants to be told what to do. 3. Be direct with the facts of the situation. Don’t hide or sugar coat them but also don’t embellish them to fit your point of view. 5. Ask questions so that your loved ones can draw their own conclusions and make their own decisions. 6. Allow for anger and upset feelings. But respond calmly and with respect. 7. Don’t push for a decision. You can always come back to the conversation which also allows everyone time to think about it. 8. Make sure everyone participates in the planning. You may need to coax a response out of the more reserved members of the family. 9. End the conversation on a positive note. Do something fun together – reminding everyone you are all family with common experiences and close relationships. 
 
When the future may not seem as appealing as when you were twenty–one, discussing and planning may be difficult, but even more necessary. Start the conversation, sooner than later, and with respect and understanding, so you will be prepared when life does happen. 

“One, two, three, four/Tell the people what she wore/“. It was an “Itsy Bitsy Teenie Weenie Yellow Polkadot Bikini”. I received correct answers from Steven Woolpert, Susan Ellis, Barbara Cadwell, Norma Simpson, Margo Dameier, Lana Tepfer, Gene Uczen, Barb Blair, Dave Lutgens, Diana Weston, Keith Clymer and Clair Zumwalt this week’s winner of a quilt raffle ticket. I’m always missing someone and last week I missed both Clair Zumwalt and Karen Asai. But there have been a few of you I haven’t realized I missed. My apologies but keep sending in your answers. I appreciate hearing from you. 

The first version of Hollywood Squares ran from 1966 through 1981 and featured such celebrities as George Gobel, Rose Marie, Cliff Arquette (as Charley Weaver), and Wally Cox. This week’s “Remember When” question is who was the comedian/actor who found his greatest fame occupying the middle square from 1968 to 1981? E-mail your answer to mcseniorcenter@gmail.com, call 541-296-4788 or write it on the back of a celebrity photo of Uncle Arthur from the TV series Bewitched.  

Well, it’s been another week watching buzzards circling gracefully in the air. Until we meet again, as my wife affectionately reminded me, “Don’t try to be humble. You aren’t that good.” 

“The first rule of holes: When you’re in one, stop digging.” Molly Ivins