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Boston's Morning Newsletter
With mosquito-borne illnesses detected in Mass., here’s how to protect yourself
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
It may be Monday, but at least this isn’t your car.
Now, to the news:
Bug bites are a perpetual summer bother, but around here they can cause more than an incessant itch. The Massachusetts Department of Public Health announced last week it detected eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile virus in mosquito samples collected at the end of last month in Carver and Quincy, respectively. There are no reported human cases of either illness yet, but it marks the start of mosquito-borne illness season in Massachusetts.
- What to know: Mosquito-borne illnesses, like EEE and West Nile virus, spread to humans through the bite of an infected mosquito. West Nile is fairly common; eight out of 10 people infected experience no symptoms, according to the Centers for Disease Control. For the 20% that do, West Nile feels more like a fever or the flu. EEE is more rare, but also far more serious. Infection can lead to fever, seizures and even death. Massachusetts hasn’t dealt with any human cases of EEE in the last three years. In 2019, there were 12 cases that resulted in six deaths, and in 2020, there were five cases that resulted in one death.
- Protect yourself: Use EPA-approved insect repellent when you go outside, state epidemiologist Dr. Katherine Brown told WBUR’s Martha Bebinger. The DPH also recommends covering up from dusk to dawn (peak biting times). To prevent mosquitos from breeding close by, drain any still water from around your home.
In the two weeks since the presidential debate, Democratic leaders nationwide have voiced their opinions on President Joe Biden’s shaky performance and whether he should remain the Democratic party’s frontrunner candidate. Among those concerned are four Massachusetts officials: Gov. Maura Healey, Rep. Jake Auchincloss, Rep. Seth Moulton and state Sen. Jason Lewis.
- Healey broke her silence on the debate performance Friday, urging Biden to “carefully evaluate” whether he can beat former president Donald Trump in November. Moulton’s calls have been less ambiguous. “Now is the time for [Biden] to follow in… George Washington’s footsteps, and step aside to let new leaders rise up and run against Donald Trump,” the Massachusetts congressman told WBUR on Thursday. His sentiments mirror those of Lewis, who suggested early on that Biden should step aside for another candidate. Still, some Democratic leaders, including U.S. Rep. Richie Neal, have continued to stand by Biden.
- What he’s saying: In an interview Friday with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos, Biden said he won’t step down, despite calls from within his party. He attributed his performance to being “exhausted” and a “really bad cold.”
- Go deeper: You can find out who is — and isn’t — backing Biden with NPR’s handy public commentary tracker here.
More than 30 beaches in Massachusetts were closed to swimmers this past weekend due to high levels of bacteria in the water, according to the Department of Conservation and Recreation. Bacteria levels can spike due to storm runoff and hot weather, both of which may increase with climate change. Officials say there are things locals — especially bird lovers — can do to help keep the water clean.
- Visitors to state beaches should avoid feeding birds, since the animals “make quite a mess of our facilities,” Vanessa Curran, deputy director of water resources for DCR, told WBUR’s John Bender. “We’d really encourage people to just admire the birds and not feed them. Picking up after their dogs is huge. And remember that basically every storm drain goes to some body of water,” she added.
- Know before you go: It’s going to be a hot one again this week. Before heading to the beach, check DCR’s website for daily updates on beach closures.
The Karen Read saga continues: Massachusetts State Police will hold an internal hearing today to see if disciplinary action should be taken against Massachusetts State Trooper Michael Proctor, the lead investigator in the case against Karen Read. Back in June, Proctor was reprimanded for a series of inappropriate and offensive texts he’d sent about Read, who was accused of killing her Boston police officer boyfriend. Proctor was relieved of duty last Monday, after a judge declared a mistrial in Read’s case.
P.S. — It’s the start of Shark Week! Want a break from the regularly scheduled programming? Discover the different shark species that call Massachusetts’ coastline home in this interactive article.
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated the titles of state Sen. Jason Lewis and U.S. Rep Richie Neal.
