I'm Kristine Johnson.

Maurice is off tonight, one county executive told us.

This state of emergency is the first of its kind in the country.

Officials are taking the extreme step because there have been 153 confirmed measles cases here since last October 48 this year alone.

And they make unilateral decisions, which obviously is reckless to do when it involves other people.

The virus can live on hard surfaces for our first after the infected person has left the room. 00:00:52.750 --> 00:01:1.450 The concern is that especially in areas of close contact, babies too young to be vaccinated or those who can't for health reasons are easily exposed. 00:01:1.540 --> 00:01:5.070 But what if your child has only had his or her first dose? 00:01:5.220 --> 00:01:14.630 You're gonna be in good shape most of the time and wait for that second dose, which comes a few years later, and then they'll be even better protected as for the local law.

Most people we spoke with are applauding it.

There's a reason why people cannot get vaccinated if you're not gonna vaccinate kids sit home.

It seems really draconian, and I don't really know how they would possibly enforcing, the county executive says.

It's less about prosecution and Maura about public awareness.

This effort is not meant to act upon what we're allowed to do legally, which is arrest people.

This is really educational.

This point.

And to that point, they say, police won't be walking around checking people's vaccination records.

But the county is aware of several unvaccinated families.

And they say, if they find out those parents continue to bring their Children into public places and they're not vaccinated, they will refer those cases to the district attorney.