This has been puzzling: I’m really quite healthy in China (aside from the occasional instance of General Tso’s Revenge). Many more health problems were present in recent years living in the US. The differences seem to be primarily attributable to: a) in the US I suffer from seasonal allergies. As I understand it these result from pollens that come from plants. Since there are few living things (aside from Chinese people) in Chinese cities, there are no monthly sinus infections. b) Diet and general exercise routines are certainly more beneficial here (cheap fruits and vegetables, lots of walking). c) normal medicine is much more easily obtained here for someone in my position (though the jig is up if I have a serious health problem here). You pay and get antibiotics. Also I never did quite figure out how to use insurance in the US. It’s very complex.

So. Very healthy here, in the cities, in spite of a lot of pollution. As long as the important things keep coming (food, some energy, some space) I suspect people will continue adapting the environment to their purposes, and live mostly normal lives, even if they can’t see the sun for weeks at a time. Can still watch TV. Via NASA, a big cloud of blegh that’s been hanging out over northern China: