New York City and large parts of the tri-state area have been placed under Code Red air quality alerts as smoke from wildfires in Canada continue to create hazy skies. The city is currently ranked fifth for the worst air quality in the world, following Toronto, Hanoi, Dhaka and New Delhi, as the Air Quality Index on Wednesday reached “unhealthy” levels across New York and other major US cities. The poor air quality is a result of more than 400 wildfires raging in Canada, leading to mass evacuations in the province of Quebec. Meanwhile, schools in New York City and Washington DC have cancelled outdoor activities such as recess and gym. As the wildfires continue to rage on, air quality in New York is expected to get worse later Wednesday afternoon, according to forecasters. But amidst an ongoing climate crisis, many climate scientists warn that wildfires could become more frequent and intense. Many officials have urged people to limit their time outdoors and wear masks to protect themselves from the smoke. In fact, wildfire smoke carries a number of pollutants that can pose a number of risks and hazardous effects. Here’s a list of dos and don’ts to help keep yourself safe during the Code Red air quality alert. Wear a mask If the Covid-19 taught us anything, it’s that masks help keep us safe from getting sick. The same goes for wildfire smoke. Masks can protect you from deadly air pollutants found in wildfire smoke such as fine particulate matter, also known as PM 2.5. But not all masks are created equal. While surgical masks work fine in protecting your lungs from the smoke, the most preferred method of protection are N95 or KN95 masks. Both N95 and KN95 masks work by fitting tightly to the face and filtering air using multiple layers of material, which are designed to trap extremely small particles. Stay indoors, or take precaution if you need to go outside New York City Mayor Eric Adams told New Yorkers in a statement to “limit outdoor activity to the greatest extent possible.” In addition to masking up, people should also avoid performing strenuous activities outside – such as exercising or biking – and change their clothes once they return home. Air purifiers vs air conditioners Outdoor air, including fine particles from wildfire smoke, can also enter your home through open windows, vents, or window air conditioning units. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommends using a portable air purifier to help improve indoor air quality. Indoor fans can also be used to help circulate air. The EPA also states that central AC systems, in which air is cooled and distributed through ducts, are safe to use during air quality alerts. “If you have an HVAC system with a fresh air intake, set the system to recirculate mode, or close the outdoor intake damper,” the agency said. As for window AC units, the EPA warns against running the portable AC during “smoky conditions because it can result in more smoke being brought inside.” Take steps to save energy and reduce pollution New Yorkers are encouraged to avoid activities that could create more fine particles indoors, such as smoking cigarettes; spraying aerosol products; using gas, propane or wood-burning stoves and furnaces; frying or broiling food; and burning candles or incense. The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation also recommends closing the blinds or shades to preserve cooled air, and limiting use of household appliances. Follow for live air quality alert updates. Read More Air quality – live: New York under Code Red alert and kids banned from outside play over Canada wildfire smoke Wildfire smoke tracker: Where the air pollution is headed next NYC and DC public schools cancel outdoor activities as wildfire smoke plagues East Coast As Pride Month begins: 5 LGBTQ+ icons who have helped shape pop culture and history Al Pacino, 83, expecting his fourth child with 29-year-old girlfriend Pest control expert weighs in on viral blue sofa debate

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Taylor Swift fans are taking concert etiquette to a whole new level, by wearing diapers so they don't miss a second of her performance. The running joke circulated on TikTok with one fan writing "The diaper rash and trench foot was worth this moment of Taylor Swift looking right at us." Another clip, that racked up almost 300,000 views showed a fan struggling with her oversized disposable pants. "It’s the most durable, the most absorbent," she said. While diehard fans believe they have come up with an innovative solution, fellow TikTokers in the comments weren't too keen on the idea. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter "I think I would just hold it or very quickly go during a song I liked a bit less, I would never be able to actually go in a diaper and then linger in," one wrote, while another added: "If I can hold it on a flight from Ca to HI, I can hold it for a Taylor Swift concert." Meanwhile, a third added: "The bathrooms are emptyyyyy during the show, we sprinted, went, sprinted back and missed like 1/3 of a song we were okay missing." @sillygrlera the diaper rash and trench foot was worth this moment of taylor looking right at us? #delulu #taylorswift #erastour #foxboroughnight2 #gillettestadium #gilletten2 It comes after fans claim they suffered from feelings of forgetfulness following the star's sold-out tour. Speaking to Time, Jenna Tocatlian, 25, spoke about her experience at Gillette Stadium in Massachusetts. She said: "If I didn’t have the 5-minute video that my friend kindly took of me jamming to it, I probably would have told everyone that it didn’t happen." Many more took to Twitter with similar claims, with some saying they felt guilty for leaving the show with no core memories. Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings.

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Sean Dyche insists Everton cannot rush their recovery after the Toffees’ impressive Carabao Cup win at Aston Villa. James Garner and Dominic Calvert-Lewin fired the visitors into the fourth round – and a home tie with Burnley – following their 2-1 victory. Boubacar Kamara pulled a late goal back to spark a Villa rally but any comeback would have been undeserved for the awful hosts. Everton lost 4-0 at Villa Park in the Premier League just five weeks ago but have secured back-to-back wins for the first time in a year as their season splutters into life. Investment firm 777 Partners is also waiting for approval on its takeover and Dyche knows the process to revive the club takes time. “The story of Everton has been a two-to-three season story, the cloud hanging over it a little bit. The only people who can change that story is us,” he said, after four defeats from their opening five league games. “The team starts the process, bonding the club together, bonding the fans. You want that bond. “We want a strong connection with the fans, the rest I can’t control, but a strong connection is something we can get with the way the players go about their business. “We are trying to work with things on and off the pitch, there’s so much alignment which needs to be done from top to bottom. You can’t just fast track everything. The last couple of seasons have not been where Everton want to be. “Now it’s step-by-step, building a team which is more competitive and gets more wins. The rest of it takes care of itself.” Everton’s press unnerved Villa and earned them the opener after 15 minutes when they forced a mistake. Robin Olsen’s poor clearance under pressure landed for Amadou Onana on the edge of the area, with Calvert-Lewin and Arnaut Danjuma returning the ball. Onana slipped a clever pass through to Garner to smash in his first Toffees goal from 10 yards. Olsen stopped a comical John McGinn own goal and thwarted Calvert-Lewin but was powerless to stop the striker adding a second five minutes after the break. Youri Tielemans’ poor pass left Ezri Konsa short and Calvert-Lewin darted in to run through and beat Olsen. It was all the visitors deserved yet they needed Jordan Pickford to stop Moussa Diaby pulling a goal back immediately. Calvert-Lewin tested Olsen but Kamara gave Villa faint hope when his strike from the edge of the box deflected in off Michael Keane. Diaby and Douglas Luiz went close to forcing penalties but poor Villa slumped to their first home defeat since February. “It’s not (about being) tired,” said boss Unai Emery, who made five changes from Sunday’s 1-0 win at Chelsea which lifted Villa to sixth in the Premier League. “I don’t want to use all our effort with the players each match. We are trying to keep a balance with some different players but trying to be competitive. “We’re disappointed with the start and mistakes we made but we are trying to go forward and building the team. “We made the second mistake quickly (in the second half) and it was difficult to come back. “We have to move on quickly, try to recover the players for Saturday (against Brighton) because we need the best performance.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jurgen Klopp hails Dominik Szoboszlai after bright start to Liverpool career Mauricio Pochettino hopes Chelsea can build momentum after ending winless run Marco Silva knows Fulham need to start taking their chances

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