Eastern Equine Encephalitis, also known as EEE (Triple E for short), is a virus carried by mosquitoes that targets the body’s central nervous system. Some symptoms include, but are not limited to, fever, vomiting, headache, and coma. The virus has been identified in Ledyard, because of this, outdoor sports are not allowed to have practice or games after 5:45 p.m. 

The time changes cause problems for some of the student-athletes in Ledyard. Sophomore athlete Emma Katherine Smith said, “I don’t really like it because people who play other sports miss out on things like the football games, but I’m glad that the teachers are acting on it so we don’t get sick.” Games need to be held earlier and, due to that, many sports’ schedules have been altered.

Sophomore band member Roel Roldan says, “It makes it easier since the time I have to be at the school for band is closer to when school gets out.” Band  practice is normally from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., but has been changed to 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. which most band members enjoy because they aren’t marching in the dark. 

Sports have made changes to keep student-athletes safe from the virus, but are students taking any precautions themselves? When asked this, Junior Meredith Brown said, “Well besides the fact that I don’t take the dog or trash out when it’s dark outside anymore, I haven’t really done much myself to prevent the virus.” Most mosquitoes don’t carry the virus, but students should still take the time to cover up and use bug spray when outdoors in the dark. 

Although student athletes may not be able to go and physically support each other, due to schedule changes, there are still other ways to show colonel pride, such as posting about wins on social media platforms, and wishing luck and congratulating teams before and after their games. Even though it’s fall and the temperature is starting to drop Triple E is still being found in small amounts. So until the first frost, students and staff should continue to take precautions.

Yzabella Waddell, Staff Writer

Sophomore Yzabella Waddell (Yzzy) is a staff writer for the 2019-2020 Colonel. When she’s not found on the soccer field you can find her drinking way too many iced coffees. Outside of school. Yzzy can be found with her friend Emma Katherine, or with her hedgehog, cat, dog, and hamster.