In a stunning turn of events that surely shocked exactly zero people who have ever stepped foot outside in the 806, a local doctor is officially advising Lubbockites that breathing in a face-full of dirt is—get this—suboptimal for your health. After the most recent haboob turned our afternoon sky into a scene from Interstellar, Dr. James Tarbox with Texas Tech Physicians went on the record to remind us that “The Dust” is more than just a gritty seasoning for your Sonic burger.
Apparently, our locally-sourced, organic, free-range dirt clouds aren’t just carrying topsoil; they’re also a mobile petri dish of fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Dr. Tarbox warned that these storms can trigger everything from hay fever to the casual “post-apocalyptic” heart attack or stroke due to decreased airway function. Because in Lubbock, even the air is trying to kill you.
The medical advice for surviving life in a literal wind tunnel? Groundbreaking stuff: stay inside, change your filters, and maybe try not to inhale the scenery. If you absolutely must venture into the brown abyss, the doctor suggests wearing goggles and masks, because looking like a desert scavenger from Mad Max is the only way to keep your lungs from turning into a terra cotta pot.
The Hub City Survival Guide:
- Seal your house: Ensure your doors and windows are sealed, because as we all know, Lubbock dust famously respects property lines and building codes.
- The “Lubbock Spa” Treatment: Take a shower after being outside. Yes, washing the grime off your body is now official medical advice.
- Maintenance is Key: Change your car and home air filters regularly. Or just wait for the dust to accumulate enough that it creates its own structural support for your HVAC system.
Who knew that the secret to health in West Texas was as simple as “don’t breathe the ground”?