We have had upper 90's here this week and AQI (Air Quality Index) in the orange to red zones. I have tried to stay inside as much as possible, but a couple of times have had to venture outside. On one occasion, I found myself quite short of breath upon brief walking in the basement of the church (which was opened up for ventilation). Can the air quality affect breathing this suddenly, or was it partially my "knowledge" of the air quality which exacerbated the problem with breathing? I am newly diagnosed with COPD.