If you were in urban areas, there was little escape. That was also before widespread A/C, so you needed to keep windows open.

From DC to Boston, west past Chicago, the air was often foul. Elsewhere, the London fog was not fog.

or the ad hoc substitute, a damp towel over a box fan

I should have done it years ago bc of seasonal allergies, but I'm cheap. This terrible smoke convinced me though. It was about $80.

windows. The sheets were dirty next morning. Some family moved to California, and some stayed in OK.