Natural disasters are unpredictable but what mankind does in the aftermath of them, makes a lot of difference. According to Reuters, Canada faced its worst-ever case of wildfire in the summer of 2023 but it seems people do not really care about breathing in the toxic fumes. As the environmental decline emerging from the Canadian wildfire spreads into the territories of the U.S.A., hitting the eastern coast with dangerous weather fluctuations, New Yorkers seem to be pretty chill about it.

A TikTok user @xiandivyne decided to call out the folks in New York who are casually loitering outside without a face mask and not adhering to the stay-at-home orders by the government since the air pollution is too high lately. The TikTok user captured footage while walking down the streets and remarking on how most of the citizens are not covering their faces and inhaling the “apocalypse air.” Well, it might be causing potential danger to their health but the New Yorkers do not seem to care about it.

The video footage clearly shows the orange-tinted ambiance due to the decline in the city’s air quality caused by the drifting smog from the Canadian wildfire. “Like, I get it you don’t give a shit about COVID, or whatever. Y’all won’t even mask up for yourself? That’s crazy man. That’s crazy. Swear to God, man. People’s worst enemies just might be themselves, might just be themselves,” Divyne said as he walked through the streets while shooting the viral video which has gained over 2 million views so far.

According to Politico, around 120,000 people were displaced from their homes, with an estimated 3.8 million hectares consumed by flames so far. The harmful fumes are spreading fast, covering wide regions of the East Coast and since New York City lies in the path of the traveling smog, it has recorded one of the world’s current worst air quality rankings, reports ABC News. New Yorkers were strictly instructed to stay indoors during this time for the sake of their own well-being. Citizens living in the trajectory of the wildfire smog can potentially experience health hazards as a result of breathing the contaminated air.

NBC News reported, “Shortness of breath and nose, throat and eye irritation may occur among people. Exposure can also affect lung function and worsen medical conditions such as asthma and heart disease.” But it seems that people don't really care about their own health anymore and the OP might be right after all. Humans are perhaps their own worst enemy.