As the world battles a respiratory virus with no known cure, Springfield faces increased ozone pollution. That’s according to The American Lung Association’s 2020 “State of the Air” report. The change, compared to its report from last year, is “mostly driven by vehicle emissions and extreme heat as a result of climate change, placing our health and lives at risk,” said Angela Tin, national senior director for Clean Air Initiatives for the Lung Association, in a release. Sangamon County got a “C” grade on a report card from the association that considers ozone pollution, aka smog. “Ozone pollution can harm even healthy people, but is particularly dangerous for children, older adults and people with lung diseases,” said Tin. There’s some good news though. The city got an “A” grade for particle pollution, aka soot. The report points out the risks of ill effects are higher, not just for those with conditions such as asthma and cancer, but also the poor and people of color. In other news regarding health disparity, it’s been found rates of death are higher for black Illinoisans infected with coronavirus than their white counterparts.