California, We Can’t Go on Like This

I disagree with the title's assertion. We can and will go on. How will it happen? Market forces.

- Sprawl in high-risk areas: Fire insurance is prohibitively expensive. Organically, as the property attempts to be sold, new owners will pass if fire insurance is $50k per year. Existing owners will likely go without.

- NIMBYism: Requires a sizable set of land-owning voters to protect the third rail of California, that is, Prop 13. As affordability declines, fewer people will be incentivized to support policies that protect landowners at the ballot box, presuming voters rationally vote in their self-interest.

- Balancing air quality (smoke) vs public health (covid). Opening windows at home won't save you from Covid. What will? Eschewing business activity and public life where people congregate in enclosed spaces. If you're practicing social distancing, you can safely keep your windows closed if air quality is an issue.