In the border city of Ciudad Juárez in the country of Mexico, the local government officials are dropping bleach with water from helicopters. This is the city's attempt to terminate SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. However, some health officials were against the measure, says an article.

On Sunday, it was reported that the mayor of the city, Armando Cavada, had permitted to spray sodium hypochlorite in more than 800 acres of neighborhoods in the border. The logic used with the decision is that it is the same substance used as a sanitizer to disinfect operating rooms. Cavada even claims that sodium hypochlorite cleans "totally well."


Bad Side Effects?

The first spray of sodium hypochlorite was made last week. A resident of the city used social media account on Facebook, to share the possible side effects of the city's new action to battle the further spread of the novel coronavirus. According to the Facebook post, the family members experienced vomiting, coughing, and eye irritation. The local health officials had already expressed their disagreement with the city's new tactic.

According to health officials, there is no scientific proof that supports the effectiveness of spraying at a distance that could help with the COVID-19 crisis. Also, it can gravely affect flora and fauna of the city.

The first spraying was supposed to be continued for a week. It was estimated that the tactic would cost the city $65,000.


Mexico's COVID-19 Cases

Mexico is not the hardest-hit country in the world by the COVID-19 pandemic. However, it had already reported 16,700 COVID-19 confirmed cases with at least 1,560 deaths. According to some forecasts, it was estimated that Mexico would see the peak of its COVID-19 cases in the middle of May.


Is Sodium Hypochlorite Effective Against COVID-19?

Sodium hypochlorite is the active ingredient of bleach. It is effective at eliminating the virus, says an article.

In cleaning surfaces with bleach, it is advised to leave them for 10 to 15 minutes before wiping the surface with a piece of cloth.

The bleach is effective at killing the virus because it can destroy its protein, also known as the ribonucleic acid or RNA. The RNA is the substance that provides the blueprints to viruses from replicating when a person contracts the virus.


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Other Methods of Destroying the Virus

Significantly, a surgical spirit is made up of alcohol ethanol. Ethanol is best known to eliminate coronavirus in just 30 seconds. Similar to bleach, it works by destroying the protein and RNA of the virus.

Additionally, regularly washing your hands helps remove viruses. Also, cleaning surfaces with soap and water does the same benefit. Soap works by restricting the fats in the shell of the virus and lifts it from surfaces that allow it to be washed away with water.