Honest post Reddit A doctor under the username thatwitchdoctor has sounded the alarm about the worsening air quality situation in the state capital and it deserves your full attention. The doctor writes:
“I go out and look at people, so careless… breathing poison without realizing what it’s doing to them… Being a doctor and seeing little kids playing and teenagers walking around the street so happily like nothing’s happening, it’s scary… Please start wearing an N95 mask. Please do it. Otherwise you’re killing yourself with every breath you take… Do you remember do you think we live in Chernobyl? We didn’t want to scare anyone in Chernobyl…
The urgency in the doctor’s tone reflects the truth that the official data now supports. According to the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Delhi’s average air quality index (AQI) as of 24 November 2025 was 382, placing the city firmly in the “very poor” category.
Several monitoring stations recorded readings above 400 – considered “severe” – underscoring the magnitude of the threat to public health
The Internet Responds: What Can We Actually Do to Stay Safe?
As the plea gained traction online, several users responded by asking what preventative steps could be taken. One commenter wrote:
“Any preventive health checks that can be done to assess the damage? X-ray or color MRI?”
The doctor clarified that over time pollution affects more organs and not just the lungs:
“Air pollution affects your whole body, not just one area. It’s a good idea to have regular health check-ups. Only if you have any specific symptoms do you need to undergo further tests such as an MRI or X-ray. Nothing else is needed.”
Another user asked: “I also have a question, I can’t afford an air purifier so is the air inside the four walls as bad as outside?”
The doctor replied, “It’s much better than being outside. Know that the worst part of the air pollution in Delhi is not the toxic gases in the air, but the fine particles called PM2.5. If the doors and windows are closed, the exposure to these particles will be less than if you leave them open. Think of it like dust collecting on your vehicle without a cover.”
Disguise yourself, reduce exposure
Along with the warning, the doctor advised Delhi residents to wear N95 masks outdoors, limit time outdoors during peak pollution hours and pay close attention to children playing outside – who remain among the most vulnerable to toxic smog.
