Unhealthy Air Season

@bronchiectasaurus Well, it's a very strange summer for us - most of my immediate family has asthma and/or bronchiectasis. The air quality keeps us indoors with AC & air purifiers running - yesterday felt like it should be a very cold winter day - we monitored the kids outdoor time, and played table games instead of Bocce ball and catch!
My partner and I are grateful for the Pari e-Rapid, which is getting more than a customary workout. Hoping for a cooler, better air day tomorrow when my garden helpers come.

I was only out in the air in Indiana for work and home on Thursday and by Friday morning I could feel my lungs and a cough started. I am though an asthmatic, and Ntm with cavities.

Please don't go out in any smoky air that airgov.now shows as above 50. Why? There are particles you can't see in the smoky air, and they go into your lungs. Going by sight or smell is not sufficient.

A particle reading of below 50 is acceptable, but ranges above that are not.

I know you want to go outside, but think of what's entering your already compromised lungs.

Mokie

Doesn't an N95 mask offer protection from the smokey air?

Yes wear an N95 mask for smokey air.
Also high heat is difficult for those with lung conditions, and very high humidity can expose you to NTM as well.
Personally I find an N95 mask too limiting to my breathing to exercise in one.

We live on a river, and I am finally getting it that I gave to give up my daily beautiful river walks when the air is not good or the heat and humidity or pollen count too high. I'm looking for a way to do aerobic exercise indoors even though I don't like it. However there is a nearby gym that takes Silver Sneakers which I have through my health insurance which eliminates the cost of a gym membership.

Not just the Midwest -- we have had very bad days here in NYC also. We had window AC's cranked up (the one in my room has an optional activated carbon filter) and air purifiers with clean filters on max. I went out only minimally, with KN95 mask, and with all that have still had a scratchy throat and somewhat increased mucus. I have bronchiectasis, MAC and asthma, all "mild". This stuff is not good.

@ingrid1947
What is NTM, please? I should be wearing a mast every time I go outside! I live in Central Texas and right now, it’s hot and very humid

@lisajanemac
NTM = "non-tuberculous mycobacteria", which are environmental bacteria that can infect the lungs. It's often referred to as MAC, or MAI, depending on which variation of NTM it is. There are more variations than this, but these seem to be the most common. People with bronchiectasis are at increased risk of developing NTM lung infections because their damaged airways make it easier for these bacteria to persist and grow. They cannot be eradicated with broad spectrum antibiotics. A cocktail of usually 3 antibiotics over a long time period is required. There's some variation in deciding whether to treat or not.

@lisajanemac
NTM non-tubercular mycobacteria. More prevalent in hot humid climates. People with Bronchiectasis more susceptible to. Very high humidity increases aerosolization of NTM. Also we are having a problem with air quality, mainly ozone due to high heat and humidity. This is my understanding, not an expert. But I am limiting my outdoor exercise in such conditions as recommended. Someone mentioned wearing a mask, but that doesn't work for me with exercise. I don't wear a mask every time I go outside. Only for working in the yard, gardening, sweeping, raking, etc. that is hard enough .