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United States
Air Pollutant Exposure
As the death toll from COVID-19 in the United States comes closer to 200,000 people, it is evident that pre-existing conditions are key risk factors in a person’s infection from the virus becoming fatal. A recent study in the scientific journal Environmental Research Letters, published on IOPscience, revealed exposure to air pollution could increase risk of death from the virus. Maps from the study show the spatial distribution of key predictors including the National Air Toxics Assessment (NATA) Hazard Index, fine particular matter (PM2.5), and ozone (O3). The study suggests that populated urban areas as well as rural southern counties have higher mortality rates, both with higher respiratory hazard index levels. It is also being reported that the current wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington State, along the U.S. West Coast, are raising the risk of further COVID-19 spread as air quality in the region remains hazardous.
These maps depict various air quality and COVID mortality rates across the United States. Click on the map to learn more.
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United States
Life-Threatening Flooding
Hurricane Sally made landfall as a Category 2 hurricane earlier this morning on the southern coast of Alabama. Sally is traveling extremely slow at about 2-3mph, threatening record floods with lingering rainfall. The National Hurricane Center has warned of “catastrophic” and “life-threatening” flooding in some areas along the Gulf Coast as the storm pours down and brings in winds up to 105mph. Parts of Florida and Alabama have already experienced power outages and residents have sought to board up their homes and businesses as Sally creeps on. Coastal areas around Alabama and Florida are projected to see storm surges up to 7 feet and some areas are predicted to receive up to 35 inches of rain. As the Gulf Coast endures severe flooding, Florida’s National Guard has activated 175 members for search-and-rescue efforts.
This map depicts the cone of Hurricane Sally as it makes landfall in Alabama and travels Northeastern up the Gulf Coast. Click on the map to expand.
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Graphic Source: Graphic News
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MIddle East
Peace Deal Signed
Israel, Bahrain, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) signed agreements establishing diplomatic relations in a ceremony in Washington, D.C. yesterday. Bahrain and the UAE represent the third and fourth Arab countries to recognize the state of Israel, following Egypt in 1979 and Jordan in 1994. The agreements did not address the conflict between Israel and Palestinians, though both foreign ministers of Bahrain and the UAE spoke to the importance of creating a Palestinian state in their remarks during the signing ceremony. Palestinians largely view the deals as a betrayal; demonstrations were held against the deal in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, and militants in Gaza fired rockets into Israel coinciding with the time of the ceremony. Some analysts believe yesterday’s peace deals could cause a political shift in the region to form a coalition in opposition to Iran.
This map depicts the countries in the Middle East with diplomatic relations with Israel. Click on the map to expand.
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Q: With an area of 19 square miles (49 square km), which lake is the only natural lake in Ghana?
A: Lake Bosumtwi
Located in the Ashanti region in south-central Ghana, Lake Bosumtwi is situated in a meteorite impact crater. The 230–240 feet (70–73 meters) deep lake has no surface outlet and is fed by small streams that tumble down the crater’s steep sides (500–1,400 feet [150–425 meters] above water level). Lake Bosumtwi is one of six meteoritic lakes in the world.
Source
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