Washington has its cleanest spring air in 25 years:

[elleng]

How air quality has improved during the coronavirus crisis.

'Washingtonians are breathing the cleanest spring air they have in decades, a likely side effect of orders to stay at home during the ongoing coronavirus crisis, along with favorable weather, air quality experts say. Data show local pollution at record low levels for the time of year.

The pollution levels, lowest in at least 25 years, are also a reflection of long-term regulatory efforts to curb emissions.

The drop in local pollution mirrors trends seen elsewhere in the United States and other countries where the pandemic has curtailed economies and taken thousands of polluting vehicles off the roads.'>>>

https://www.washingtonpost.com/weather/2020/04/22/washington-dc-air-quality-coronavirus/?

[PoindexterOglethorpe]

1. This would have been a wonderful year to see the cherry blossoms.

I have a son who lives in Fairfax, VA, just far enough away that he's not willing to try to drive or take public transportation there. If I lived within walking distance I'd be going there every day possible.

[elleng]

2. Yes, it would have been;

not sure when this took effect.

I lived in DC for 20+ years, worked near the Tidal Basin, and walked over every year; now in southern MD, and didn't go to see them this year.

[IronLionZion]

3. Twas a wonderful year for cherry blossoms

I steered clear of the tidal basin, as there were too many people there before they closed it. But lots of neighborhoods and smaller memorials have beautiful cherry trees for a nice social distance walk. The sour cherry trees were particularly beautiful. Some places even have the famous Yoshino cherry trees.

[elleng]

7. Yes, there are some great 'blossom' neighborhoods around.

[nitpicker]

5. People couldn't get to see the Tidal Basin from Mar 22- Apr 7

The authorities got so panicked by the throngs around the Tidal Basin on March 21 that the next morning, they and the Park Police shut off the roads there (including parts of Independence Avenue, which they could because most feds stayed home) from about 5 am to 8 pm each day, until April 7.

[IronLionZion]

4. It feels like allergies are better this year too

since it's connected to air pollution as trees would absorb it and then release it in their pollen.

[mitch96]

6. Saw a blerb on CBS morning news.. LA has the CLEANEST air not only in the US but in the world!

If true that would be amazing.. and a path to the climate change dilemma.. No gasoline powered cars mean clean air.. So electric cars are the way to go... The problem I see is the range and "fill up" time.. We need at least a 300 mile range and the same charge time as it would be if we were filling up with gas.. ?5-10 min?? Not a good sign for the oil industry but good for the planet and our lungs...
m