The headline is trying to take advantage of the coronavirus fear to make the article findable in searches. Kind of clickbait, the article doesn't bring new information, just the research data (very similar to other researches about the subject, by the way), but it brings a real concern. I didn't like it, it's a trap.

I suggest that global economic "austerity" is, and has been, the world's greatest killer.

This article is written to give context & importance to the question of air pollution's effects on our lives, at a time when our attention is captured by the sudden, and uncertain impact of the CoronaVirus. The cited study seems worthy enough—and I don't challenge the blunt facts of shortened lives, which are certainly important. But the fact that it revises old models with new assumptions to get higher impacts (rather than discovering new, previously-unrecognized mechanisms) naturally limits its importance and relevance. I can't see a silver lining to COVID-19. But there's no question that fossil-fuel-based air pollution is a cost/benefit issue, and we haven't found a way to eliminate its harms without losing huge economic benefits. Comparing the two without mentioning how to *replace* rather than *eliminate* fossil fuels therefore seems disingenuous.

Yes pollution from fossil fuels is a huge issue, it causes more health problems then COVID-19, but there's a way to discuss it without coming across as belittling and without dismissing peoples' fears of whatever is currently spreading. Climate change and infectious diseases are closely linked as well there is a way to tie the two together in a very informative way.

This piece does a great job reminding us that there is a global pandemic going on, and we all continue to make it worse.

Starts by referencing information that we do not get to see, then twists that into "go electric".