This week, new stricter coronavirus protocols went into place in neighboring Sonora, Mexico. Now, the mayor of the capital city Hermosillo and the state health secretary are publicly arguing over the new protocols through videos posted to their social media accounts.

Hermosillo Mayor Célida López posted a video Tuesday criticizing the Sonoran Health Council for closing bars and restricting restaurant hours.

"I don't agree with them taking measures to close the economy for thousands and thousands of people in Hermosillo: waiters, cooks, people who work in restaurants, people who do events, musicians, and an impressive number of people who depend on the activities that they intend to close down, who will be serious effected by these measures," she said.

She rejected the idea that Hermosillo is seeing an uptick in cases that warrants the same restrictive measures Sonora implemented in the summer when virus transmission was at its peak. 

State Health Secretary Enrique Clausen responded with his own video, accusing Lopez of politicizing health issues.

"What are you gaining, Célida, by confusing people? Why do you want people to let down their guard?" he asked. "Don't let those big businesses sway you."

He said health officials are acting in accordance with the data in hopes of slowing the spread of the coronavirus before hospitals and funeral homes are overwhelmed, like they were earlier this year. And that, he said, will mean less suffering for the people in Hermosillo and throughout Sonora.

"There's just one priority, and that is preserving life and health," he said.