
COVID's controversial "washing tunnels" for those crossing the U.S.-Mexico border
While the Trump government continues to refer to the undocumented as "a plague," in Nogales, Mexico, they are managing to ensure that no U.S. virus enters the…
MORE IN THIS SECTION
Jaime and Vin
August 5th, 2022Feeling at home
August 4th, 2022The best of Colombian cinema
August 2nd, 2022My heritage is not for sale
August 1st, 2022Rest in Power to a Champion
July 31st, 2022New game, new changes
July 29th, 2022Salsa is Colombian heritage
July 26th, 2022Late Papal Apologies
July 25th, 2022Authorities in the Mexican city of Nogales, which borders Arizona, put those entering the country through a curious "disinfectant tunnel" to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
That way, everyone who arrives in Nogales, Sonora, from the international "Mariposas" checkpoint –including pedestrians– must go through these tunnels where they are sprayed with a disinfectant that keeps the body clean and free of the virus for 24 hours, according to a statement from the municipality of Nogales.
Health authorities in the region, who have announced that they will install more of these anti-COVID corridors at local border checkpoints, believe that most of the cases of coronavirus recorded in Nogales have been from people crossing from Arizona.
There is sufficient data that argues the neighboring state's more than 13,000 confirmed infections could've helped with Sonora's 700, and 34 dead.
However, there are those who assure that these passages are not only useless - if a person is infected with coronavirus, bathing in sanitizing gel does not free them from the disease - but the Mexican Secretary of Health affirms that it can be even dangerous and spread the virus even more.
In a bulletin from the aforementioned institution, they point out that there is no evidence that these systems are really effective against the SARS-CoV-2 that causes the disease and that "the aerosol generated may facilitate the spread of the virus that could be present on the clothing, hair or belongings of people passing through the tunnel, increasing the risk of spreading the virus."
RELATED CONTENT
Beyond the pernicious health effects caused by the inhalation of disinfectant, which can seriously damage the airways and produce asthma attacks or chemical pneumonitis, as well as eye, skin and mucous membrane irritation, this type of safety mechanism induces, according to the Health Secretariat, a "false sense of safety."
"People can neglect basic prevention measures such as frequent hand washing, use of masks, and maintaining a healthy distance," it says.
Although Nogales believes otherwise and will continue to plant "washing tunnels" at border crossings, many places in Mexico where they first began installing these anti-COVID passages have backed off pending scientific evidence to corroborate their effectiveness or dangerousness.
Meanwhile, in the Sonora desert, the fight against the pandemic will continue with vaporous showers.
LEAVE A COMMENT:
Join the discussion! Leave a comment.