New Jersey residents are being urged to stay indoors due to the smoky air conditions from the Canadian wildfires.
But despite this warning, many still need to make their way outdoors. This has prompted some to start using face masks again, after ditching the practice in the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s made me feel better. I’m surprised more people aren’t wearing a mask,” says Jersey City resident Ed Headlam.
Headlam says he was out in the haze on Wednesday to play golf and suffered because of it.
“Congestion and water eyes and headache,” he says.
Ridership at the Hoboken Terminal seemed to be lighter on Thursday because a lot of commuters were working from home. But some passengers were seen using masks, while others chose not to.
New Jersey Transit staff were giving out masks for those who wanted one. While some were just getting into the city for work, others were heading home early.
"No one was in today, so a lot of people are leaving. Because of the air quality…you kind of feel like you're in a fog a little bit too,” says Alexandria DiGregorio, of Hamilton.
It was not clear how long the air quality would remain poor.