NYC's Air Quality Crisis: Leaders Blamed for Lack of Preparation.

New York City's air quality reached historically unhealthy levels due to smoke from wildfires, prompting criticism of Mayor Eric Adams and Governor Kathy Hochul for not responding quickly enough. Some health experts and elected officials suggested they should have distributed high-quality masks and urged more people to work from home. The city's commissioner for emergency management acknowledged that the city did not have an "off-the-shelf plan" for a smoke emergency. The crisis showed the need for early warning systems and solutions to improve air quality.