The idea of ending outdoor activities near sunset to prevent mosquito-borne viruses is not new, but this year’s public reaction is.
In 2005, 2012, and 2019, towns in Massachusetts and Connecticut requested residents to limit outdoor activities during outbreaks of eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) with minimal attention. However, when Oxford, Massachusetts officials recently proposed a voluntary curfew—advising residents to conclude outdoor activities by 6 p.m. until the end of September, and by 5 p.m. in October until the first hard frost—there was notable pushback. Approximately 200 residents attended a town meeting to discuss the measure.
Philip Davis, president of Oxford’s Little League, noted that the level of protest this time was unusual compared to previous EEE outbreaks. “In my family, we were completely done when Covid ended. We were done being locked inside, being scared. Living scared is no way to live,” Davis said.
Given the recent memories of the 2019 EEE curfews and the subsequent Covid restrictions, Davis remarked, ‘I think everyone has reached their limit. It’s time to hand the decision-making back to the parents.’
Eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) is a viral infection transmitted to humans through the bite of infected mosquitoes. The virus can reach the brain, leading to swelling and inflammation. Initial symptoms include a sudden headache, high fever, chills, and vomiting, which may progress to disorientation, seizures, and coma. Severe cases are rare.
In the U.S., the CDC reports about 11 human infections annually. This year, there have been four cases identified in Massachusetts, Wisconsin, New Jersey, and Vermont, with New Hampshire recently reporting a death from the virus.
EEE-spreading mosquitoes are most active at dusk and dawn.
Dr. Kristy Murray, a mosquito-borne virus expert at Emory University, noted that the dusk-to-dawn curfew was likely a serious decision by local and state health departments. “The most severe outbreak of EEE in the U.S. occurred in Massachusetts in 1938, resulting in 25 deaths, primarily among children. Public health authorities would certainly want to take preventive measures if the data indicates a concerning trend,” she wrote in an email.
Lori Freeman, CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials, explained that such curfews serve multiple purposes: they reduce mosquito exposure during peak activity times, raise public awareness of the threat, and create safer conditions for mosquito control efforts, such as insecticide spraying.
Dr. Catherine Brown, Massachusetts’ state epidemiologist, acknowledged that the recommended curfews are not popular. “It’s an unpopular recommendation, but it’s a crucial component of a comprehensive prevention strategy,” which includes insect repellent, protective clothing, and mosquito spraying, she said.
Brown recognized concerns about the potential negative impact of the curfews on children’s mental and physical health. “Public health encompasses more than just infectious diseases. It’s also about ensuring kids have adequate outdoor playtime and exercise. We understand that balance at the Department of Public Health and do not make these recommendations lightly,” she emphasized.
On August 16, Oxford and three neighboring towns—Douglas, Sutton, and Webster—were classified as at critical risk for EEE after both a person and a horse in the area tested positive for the virus. According to the CDC, EEE is fatal in about one-third of cases and leaves approximately 50% of survivors with long-term neurological issues. There is no specific treatment for the illness.
Oxford Town Manager Jennifer Callahan informed the board of health that the infected individual lived in Oxford, and the person’s family had requested that officials alert the community.
Despite these warnings, opposition grew among some parents and coaches. A Change.org petition protesting the curfew gathered over 880 signatures by Monday. Cambria Macki, an ER nurse and mother of four, expressed her frustration, stating, “My children have already lost so much of their childhood due to Covid. Football and cheerleading offered them a semblance of normalcy. Please don’t close the fields.” She acknowledged the EEE risk but suggested managing it through other measures like spraying and protective clothing.
Recently, Cambria Macki has been engaged in heated debates on social media with her neighbors over whether the greater risk for kids lies in a rare but serious infection or in deteriorating mental and physical health. She pointed to federal data highlighting a rise in youth suicides and shared her observations of teens and preteens waiting in local emergency rooms for inpatient psychiatric care.
Macki noted, “For many of these kids, sports are an essential escape from difficult home lives. They may feel insignificant at home, but on the field, they matter.”
Another commenter argued, “Government overreach in the name of safety has already disrupted our kids’ lives enough.”
Rike Sterrett, Oxford’s director of public health services, acknowledged the deep impact of Covid-19 restrictions on both parents and children and their lasting effects on public health. She emphasized that the town’s curfew is a voluntary recommendation, not a mandate.
Sterrett mentioned that local schools are adhering to the guidance by rescheduling or moving outdoor activities indoors rather than canceling them altogether. Additionally, outside groups can continue to use city fields after hours if they sign a legal form acknowledging the risks and provide proof of adequate insurance.
“There won’t be any evening games under the lights; it’s about adjusting practice schedules,” Sterrett explained.
Reflecting on her experience in Marlborough, Massachusetts, during the 2019 EEE outbreak—a year that saw 12 human cases nationwide—Sterrett observed that while there was some pushback then, it was less pronounced. She acknowledged the desire for people to make the most of the remaining pleasant weather.
The push for restrictions on outdoor activities has, meanwhile, increased public awareness about EEE and the importance of avoiding mosquito bites.
Sterrett expressed optimism about the educational impact of the recommendations, saying, “I’m hopeful that the message is getting out there.”
Philip Davis mentioned ongoing efforts with local officials to seek more flexible recommendations. Parents are advocating for adherence to the state’s broader guideline, which suggests limiting outdoor activities from dusk until dawn—a significant shift from the town’s current curfew.
For example, on Tuesday night, dusk is anticipated around 8 p.m., which is two hours beyond the town’s curfew.
Davis noted that his Little League organization plans to comply with the town’s waiver requirements and has the necessary insurance to use the fields after the curfew. He intends to advise his coaches to conclude practices a half-hour before dusk, allowing players time to collect their equipment and head inside.
“We felt as though this was just the wrong approach,” Davis said, referring to the town’s curfew policy.
