Could an insect repellent fight the bite of COVID-19?

Dr Cameron Webb (PhD)

British soldiers have reportedly been given insect repellent to help protect themselves against COVID-19.

The UK government’s Defence Science and Technology Laboratory released a study showing the citriodiol-based spray can kill SARS-CoV-2 in a lab.

But just because a product is safe to use in its current form, it doesn’t necessarily mean it will provide either safe or sufficient protection against COVID-19.

What is citriodiol?