TUFTS ATHLETICS Local hospitals, cities prepare for potential outbreak Spring sports cancelled, winter see FEATURES / PAGE 4 sports to continue postseason play Letter from the Managing Board: Daily to continue SEE SPORTS / BACK PAGE coverage see OPINION / PAGE 6

THE INDEPENDENT STUDENT NEWSPAPER OF EST. 1980 HE UFTS AILY VOLUME LXXIX, ISSUE 33T T D MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS. Thursday, March 12, 2020 tuftsdaily.com Tufts Mutual Aid steps up to assist students amid move out orders by Robert Kaplan students more time to depart, and that Executive News Editor its undergraduate spring break would be extended to smooth the transition to Tufts students are rallying to provide online classes. financial and in-kind assistance to students Junior Marley Hillman organized Tufts facing difficulty in the wake of the adminis- Mutual Aid that same evening, which is tration’s decision to continue classes online coordinating the resource distribution beginning on March 25. efforts. Within hours, Hillman posted a In response to growing concerns about Google form on Facebook for interested on-campus transmission of the novel coro- students to list resources they wish to offer navirus, COVID-19, University President to those in need — from storage space and Anthony Monaco announced on Tuesday food to frequent flyer points and trans- evening that students living on campus portation to the airport, among others — should move out of residence halls entirely which are in turn compiled on a centralized by March 16, though some students with view-only spreadsheet for all Tufts students extenuating circumstances would be per- to view and request listed resources directly SAM RUSSO / mitted to stay with approval. from those offering them. Seniors gather in the evening on March 11 before Ballou Hall to participate in the annual Monaco also announced that classes Illumination ceremony two months earlier than anticipated, following Tufts’ decision to sus- on Friday would be cancelled to allow see MUTUAL AID, page 2 pend in-person classes amid concerns about transmission of COVID-19. Uphill power outage overshadows Tufts student being tested for penultimate day of in-person classes COVID-19, three positives in Somerville, Medford by Alexander Thompson in close contact with public health officials Staff Writer and that the student is receiving care. The student had recently returned from The university tested a student abroad and a number of individuals with for COVID-19 on the advice of the close contact with the student have been Massachusetts Department of Public asked to self-isolate as they await the results Health (DPH), Executive Vice President of the test, the Daily has learned. Mike Howard announced in a communi- Just hours after the university made ty-wide email yesterday afternoon. its announcement, the City of Somerville The test results were unknown at press informed residents that two residents have time, but Howard reaffirmed that the uni- also been declared presumptive positives versity will make an announcement if a for the virus by DPH. community member tests positive. The email added that the university remains see TESTING, page 2 SAM RUSSO / THE TUFTS DAILY A class meets outside of Goddard Chapel on the morning of March 11.

Most of the buildings on the Upper Campus were thrust into darkness yesterday morning as Somerville, Tufts deadlocked students and faculty began their second-to-last day of face-to-face classes of the spring semester. The power outage struck the Hill less than 24 hours after University President Anthony Monaco over tax payment announced in an email that most students would be required to not return to campus after spring break amid concerns surrounding the transmission of the novel coronavirus, COVID-19. by Alexander Thompson of the city’s PILOT negotiation team were National Grid, a multinational energy utility company that operates in much of Massachusetts, Staff Writer blunt in their appraisal of the talks. was to blame for the outage, according to an email sent to the Tufts community. While Tufts oper- “We did not come to an agreement that we ates its own micro-grid powered by the newly constructed Central Power Plant, it is connected to Somerville Mayor Joe Curtatone said that feel is acceptable to bring back to the com- National Grid’s network, which experienced a failure near the Massachusetts Bay Transportation negotiations with Tufts over a new payment munity, and we have reached an impasse, Authority’s Wellington station. in lieu of taxes (PILOT) agreement have though we had made some, albeit incremen- Buildings that went without power until being restored in the early afternoon included: Tisch reached an impasse despite some points of tal, progress,” Curtatone said. Library and Goddard Chapel, as well as Carmichael, Wren, Miller, Houston, Eaton, East, Braker, progress in the year-long talks. Tufts Director of Community and Lincoln-Filene, Miner and Paige Halls. Ballou Hall and the Olin Center for Language and Cultural At a community meeting held last Government Relations Rocco DiRico, who Studies were not affected by the outage. Thursday evening in the Tufts Administration - Robert Kaplan Building, the mayor and the other members see PILOT, page 3

For breaking news, our content archive and Please Contact Us NEWS...... 1 recycle this exclusive content, visit OPINION...... 6 newspaper P.O. Box 53018, FEATURES...... 4 tuftsdaily.com Medford, MA 02155 SPORTS...... BACK Partly Cloudy [email protected] /thetuftsdaily @tuftsdaily tuftsdaily tuftsdaily FUN & GAMES...... 5 50 / 36 2 THE TUFTS DAILY | News | Thursday, March 12, 2020 tuftsdaily.com THE TUFTS DAILY TCU Senate donates $50,000 to Hardship Funds, Mutual Ryan Shaffer Editor in Chief EDITORIAL Aid encourages donations Alex Viveros Margot Cardamone. Following about a Aid, the Tufts Community Union (TCU) Nathan Kyn MUTUAL AID Managing Editors continued from page 1 day of mediated Venmo transactions, Tufts Senate announced later on Wednesday that Tys Sweeney Associate Editor The resource allocation effort was met Mutual Aid then announced that they it would also donate funds to the FIRST

Robert Kaplan Executive News Editor with an outpouring of student support — the would instead encourage donations to Center’s Hardship Fund. Alejandra Carrillo Deputy News Editor spreadsheet received more than 500 respons- the FIRST Center’s Unexpected Hardship “$50,000 are being transferred, and the Connor Dale News Editors Abbie Gruskin es, as of press time. According to Hillman, Fund for Student Needs. funds are available to the FIRST Center effec- Natasha Mayor Matt McGovern student responses “exploded” in the short Gebetsberger was impressed that the tive immediately,” TCU Treasurer junior Sharif Sara Renkert time between them going to sleep at 2:30 group of organizers managing the project Hamidi wrote in an electronic message. Anton Shenk Seohyun Shim a.m. and waking up the next morning. grew from only Hillman to 18 people within While Tufts Mutual Aid will contin- Daniel Weinstein Maddie Aitken Assistant News Editors “People are wondering, ‘Well, what do hours, including Cardamone. ue to support students by coordinating Carolina Espinal Alex Janoff we do now?’ We have to leave [on March “It’s been really incredible to watch the non-financial resources, TCU Senate’s Renner Kwittken 16], we’re not coming back,” Hillman said. mobilization,” Gebetsberger said. donation will support the FIRST Center’s Bella Maharaj Stephanie Rifkin “We said, ‘Here’s something you can do.’ In a FIRST Center newsletter, Cardamone assistance efforts significantly, according Sarah Sandlow Elli Sol Strich So I feel like that’s been part of why we’ve suggested Tufts Mutual Aid as an additional to Cardamone. gotten so much material support — we’re resource for first-generation, low-income “We are … extremely grateful to TCU Amelia Becker Executive Features Editor Sid Anand Features Editors offering an avenue for action.” students to employ as they cope with the Senate for transferring money to the unex- Jessie Newman Sean Ong The organizers initially introduced significant costs and obstacles of departing pected hardship fund so we can aid students Michael Shames Fina Short a separate form to provide and request from campus on short notice. The newslet- who can not afford to fly home with this Maddie Aitken Assistant Features Editors donations via Venmo as a more liquid and ter further comforted students amidst the short notice,” Cardamone wrote in an email. Claire Fraise Jillian Collins measurable resource to students in need. quickly changing circumstances following Gebetsberger reflected on the ramifi- Evelyn McClure Marc Weisglass Hillman reported that $1,300 had already the university’s announcement. cations and legacy of Tufts’ decision and been redistributed overnight, and a total of “These conditions have shown us how the community’s response to the devel- Ryan Eggers Executive Arts Editor Tommy Gillespie Arts Editors $5,130 had been distributed to students in strong, reliant, and thoughtful you all have oping situation. Sam Heyman Danny Klain need by Wednesday evening. been in supporting one another,” the news- “We’re living through human history — Tuna Margalit Junior Grant Gebetsberger, who joined letter read. “We are proud and will contin- this is unprecedented,” Gebetsberger said. Christopher Panella Yas Salon the organizing efforts early on along with ue to be here as we figure out next steps “How we respond to this is going to define Colette Smith Megan Szostak fellow organizer junior Monique DuBois, together.” us for so long going forward, and it’s go[ing Geoffrey Tobia Devina Bhalla Assistant Arts Editor indicated that Tufts Mutual Aid planned Following student suggestions on to] say so much more about our communi- on coordinating its financial donations Facebook that student organizations ty than I think we ever knew we were going Hannah Harris Executive Opinion Editor Amulya Mutnuri Senior Editorialists with the FIRST Center and its director, donate their unused funds to Tufts Mutual to find out.” Priya Padhye Liz Shelbred Allie Birger Editorialists Paloma Delgado Mason Goldberg Medford case awaiting CDC confirmation Milli Lu Emily Nadler Eileen Ong Michael Wilkinson Caroline Wolinsky Carys Kong Editorial Cartoonists Annabel Nied Julia Zweifach Valeria Velasquez

Jake Freudberg Executive Sports Editor Julia Atkins Sports Editors Liam Finnegan Aiden Herrod Savannah Mastrangelo David Meyer Haley Rich Noah Stancroff Delaney Tantillo Sam Weidner Arpan Barua Assistant Sports Editors Jacob Dreyer Matthew Goguen Henry Gorelik Pranav Jain Ananda Kao Sruthi Kocherlakota Helen Thomas-McLean Jason Schwartz Eric Spencer Austin Clementi Executive Investigative Editor Elie Levine Executive Audio Editor

Anne Marie Burke Executive Photo Editors Nicole Garay Aidan Chang Staff Photographer ALEXANDER THOMPSON / THE TUFTS DAILY Patrick Milewski Medford Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn leads an emergency management planning meeting to adress the COVID-19 epidemic with city officials Alexander Thompson and representatives from Tufts in Medford City Hall on March 11, Menqi Irina Wang

Stephanie Hoechst Executive Video Editors Caleb Martin-Rosenthal TESTING Seventy-seven of the 95 cases that have remain open and community events would PRODUCTION continued from page 1 been confirmed in Massachusetts are linked go ahead as scheduled, as the situation Kristina Marchand to Biogen, state health officials confirmed on remained “low-risk.” Production Director The university tested a student for COVID- Wednesday. The statement said officials determined 19 on the advice of the Massachusetts One of the presumptive positives was the with “a high degree of certainty” that the per- Sam Russo Executive Layout Editors Kevin Zhang Department of Public Health (DPH), spouse of a West Somerville Neighborhood son contracted the virus at an event to which Daniel Montoya Layout Editors Isabella Montoya Executive Vice President Mike Howard School teacher, as well as a parent of a student other cases have been traced. Alice Yoon announced in a community-wide email yes- at the same school which is on Powerhouse MaryAnn O’Connor, the director of terday afternoon. Boulevard, a short walk from Tufts’ campus. Medford’s Health Department, told the Daily Aidan Menchaca Executive Graphics Editor The test results were unknown at press All three members of the family are being in an interview Wednesday morning that she Rebecca Barker Executive Copy Editors time, but Howard reaffirmed that the univer- quarantined and the school underwent deep could not confirm whether or not the case Jillian Rolnick Anna Hirshman Copy Editors sity will make an announcement if a commu- cleaning yesterday evening, the statement was linked to the Biogen meeting, citing pri- David Levitsky Hannah Wells nity member tests positive. The email added said. The school will also be closed today. vacy concerns. Abigail Zielinski that the university remains in close contact Meanwhile, the City of Medford O’Connor said that the person is cur- Cole Wolk Sophie Elia Assistant Copy Editors with public health officials and that the stu- announced on Tuesday the first presumptive rently under quarantine at their home and Yiyun Tom Guan Makenna Law dent is receiving care. positive case of COVID-19 in the city as the “doing well.” Grace Prendergast The student had recently returned from number of cases nationwide mounts. Additionally, the individual was not a case Mariel Priven Kate Seklir abroad and a number of individuals with The city received confirmation of the pos- of community spread and had little contact Ethan Steinberg Rae Sun close contact with the student have been itive test from the DPH, but the test must still with others meaning that no one else is cur- Russell Yip Brendan Hartnett asked to self-isolate as they await the results be sent to the Centers for Disease Control rently being quarantined because of the pre- of the test, the Daily has learned. and Prevention (CDC) to be verified. sumed positive case, according to O’Connor. Sam Chung Executive Online Editor Just hours after the university made “We are sharing this information with the News of the presumptive positive case

Julian Perry Executive Social Media Editors its announcement, the City of Somerville public in the interest of transparency, not to came just four days after the city had Michelle Roitgarts informed residents that two residents have raise alarm,” Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn announced that two Medford Public Schools also been declared presumptive positives for said in a statement. “I understand everyone’s educators were undergoing self-isolation fol- Luke Allocco Outreach Coordinators Alexis Serino the virus by DPH. deep concern surrounding this issue and am lowing travel to a heavily affected country. Both cases are linked to a strategy meeting committed to sharing whatever information O’Connor confirmed that the two educa- BUSINESS that occurred at the Cambridge-based bio- we can with the public as we get it.” tors had not shown symptoms of the corona- Jonah Zwillinger technology firm Biogen in late February, the Despite the presumptive positive test, virus and were cleared. They are both back Executive Business Director city said in a statement. the statement said that schools would teaching. News Thursday, March 12, 2020 | News | THE TUFTS DAILY 3 Tufts, Somerville reach standstill in PILOT negotiations

PATRICK MILEWSKI / THE TUFTS DAILY A Somerville community meeting is held at the Tufts University Administration Building on March 5.

PILOT contentious issue in Tufts’ surrounding University Board of Trustees’ Administration “Our position is that keeping … the continued from page 1 community. and Finance Committee, that would meet as same shouldn’t be difficult especially with About 65% of Tufts undergraduates live on frequently as necessary. all the things we’re doing to increase the has been leading Tufts’ negotiating team, campus, leaving nearly 2,000 to find housing The university responded with a proposal pipeline of students into Tufts,” Green reaffirmed the university’s dedication to the in the surrounding Somerville and Medford calling for a community advisory group that said. “Tufts is very leery of making any talks in an email to the Daily. neighborhoods. would meet quarterly and would not include serious commitments there.” “The university is a committed partner Edward Beuchert, who sits on the West a trustee. DiRico emphasized that the two sides to our host communities and we strive at Somerville Neighborhood Association Board Tufts argues that it gives the community have found agreement on 22 education all times to be the best neighbor possible,” of Directors, said that overcrowding at Tufts far more than the PILOT payment alone provisions, but that the university is he wrote. pushes rents up and forces residents out. The would suggest in the form of non-mone- unable to agree to the acceptance rate The meeting came after the city sub- committee proposed aggressive targets to tary benefits like field access and economic commitment because Tufts admissions mitted its final partnership agreement to the university to tackle the housing crunch, impact. decisions are determined by a “holistic Tufts on Feb. 11 and the university pre- including commitments to house all under- Some of the non-monetary benefits and highly selective process.” sented its amendments and additions to graduates on campus by 2030, and a yearly Tufts provides are educational services for Green also said that differences remain the proposal on Feb. 28. reduction in the number of undergraduates Somerville Public Schools (SPS) students. as to how many SHS students will be PILOTs are voluntary payments which in off-campus housing. In the previous agreement, Tufts waived the allowed dual enrollment at Tufts each year. untaxed nonprofits pay to their host com- The university refused both provisions, application fee for Somerville High School The university proposed three, but the munities to compensate them for some of and has maintained in negotiations that it students and the Dean of Admissions read committee would like to see more. the property taxes they would pay were does not have the money to construct a new each of their applications personally. The Residents at the meeting were largely they not tax-exempt. dormitory, Beuchert said. Instead, the uni- university also organized a series of college hostile to the university’s conduct in the Were Tufts a tax-liable entity, it would versity proposed a commitment that it would readiness programs for students and paid for negotiations. have paid roughly $6.7 million in proper- “continue to add beds for undergraduate test prep. Marianne Walles, a candidate for mayor ty taxes to the City of Somerville in fiscal students.” The negotiating committee has worked to of Somerville in 2019 who made PILOT year 2019, according to numbers provided The mayor expressed disappointment enhance the university’s contribution to SPS. a central part of her campaign, accused by Ward 7 City Councilor Katjana Ballantyne that the committee has not been able to get Andre Green, the Ward 4 member of the Tufts of being a bad neighbor, a common during the meeting. Instead, the university the university to agree to any “hard goals” on Somerville School Committee, said that the refrain on Thursday evening. paid $450,000: roughly 7% of the estimated housing. city and the university had already reached “You want all the advantages of being in full bill. This was an increase from fiscal years “I didn’t think that goal was too hard; we agreement on a number of points, including Somerville and Medford and you want to 2013 to 2018, when the university was paying don’t want to set them up for failure or push the expansion of existing college-readiness displace our families, but you don’t want even less, handing in $275,000 annually. them out,” he said. “But suffice to say we’re efforts and placing more Tufts students as to be responsible in any way shape or form Had Tufts paid its full estimated property not close on housing.” tutors in SPS. to the community,” she said, addressing tax bill in 2018, that payment would have DiRico, the Tufts spokesman, disputed The university also agreed to give the university leadership directly. represented around 2.5% of the city’s total the committee’s claims that Tufts has done Somerville residents 80% off the price of Other residents told the mayor and revenue. little to curb the housing shortage. The uni- auditing courses at Tufts, which was higher the other members of the committee to At the meeting, Ballantyne announced versity has added 437 beds on campus, the than the rate proposed by the committee. take a more public stand against Tufts, that Tufts has conditionally offered to main- equivalent of two dorms, in the last three However, the two sides have stumbled while one even suggested selling the tain its annual payment at $450,000 a year years, through what the university has brand- over the target acceptance rate for Somerville Somerville side of campus to Medford — increased by 2.5% every year to account for ed “bed optimization” and the conversion High School students. only half-jokingly. inflation. This plan is projected to bring in a of wood-frame houses in the Community Green explained that Tufts provided data The mayor said that the committee is nominal sum of just above $5 million for the Housing project, DiRico wrote. showing that the acceptance rate for SHS focused on coming to an agreement in the city over the decade. “While we cannot commit to housing students from 2015 to 2019 was 25%, 10 next couple of weeks and will soon be back The negotiating committee has not 100% of our students on campus at this time, points higher than the national admissions in talks with Tufts. accepted the offer and is currently in discus- we will be using the lessons learned these rate for Tufts. The committee proposed that “We didn’t walk away from the table sion over the proposal and soliciting commu- past few years to continue to add more beds the university maintain that 10-point differ- because we reached an impasse. We’re nity input, Ballantyne said. on campus in the years ahead,” he wrote. ence above the national average over a five- having to go back and pound away at In a break with previous agree- The university also refused a proposal year period. these things and report back to you in a ments, the committee is also seeking to create a housing joint working group of The university rejected that proposal, short time,” Curtatone said. to include provisions in the agreement community members and three Tufts repre- pledging only to continue to report accep- Patrick Milsewski contributed reporting to which govern off-campus housing, a sentatives, including a member of the Tufts tance data to the city. this article. 4 Thursday, March 12, 2020 Features tuftsdaily.com Aadhya Shivakumar What's next Local governments, hospitals accelerate Responses to crises preparations for coronavirus by Alexander Thompson ull disclosure: The connection Staff Writer One of the key concerns is what the city “strongly advised” to sanitize doorknobs between this week’s news event and would do if it needed to ask nonessential and railings before and after the event, episode of “The West Wing” (1999– Local health departments and hospitals municipal workers to work from home and avoid shaking hands and replace buffets 2006) is rather tenuous. It is less an around Tufts have shifted into high gear to deciding which services can be performed with packaged food. Fepisode or plot point of the show and more prepare for the growing spread of COVID- remotely. “Some of these measures, like postpon- just a quote that reminded me of some- 19 in the United States., as the number of For instance, if Medford were to see ing events, may cause unwanted disrup- thing Donald Trump said a few weeks ago. coronavirus cases in Massachusetts has a rise in cases, the city would tempo- tions to our daily lives and we will seek to I also just wanted a reason to talk about the grown in past weeks. rarily suspend routine inspections and minimize those where possible, but our top coronavirus, or COVID-19. The Somerville and Medford Boards of permitting to protect staff and citizens, priority is protecting the health and safety At a rally in Manchester, N.H., on Feb. Public Health have been planning for the O’Connor said. of all who live, work, and visit here,” the 10, President Trump claimed that the coro- novel coronavirus and how it could affect The fire department has also changed statement says. navirus would “miraculously” disappear as residents’ health, schools and city services. its protocols in response to the coronavirus Dr. Helen Boucher, chief of the Division soon as the weather began to warm up. He At the same time, local hospital systems pandemic. From now on, if someone with of Geographic Medicine and Infectious also said, “I think it’s going to all work out have been preparing for the potential symptoms is reported, only a single fire- Diseases at , explained fine. Rough stuff, I tell you, rough, rough increase in patients. fighter or paramedic will enter the home to that these sorts of measures are crucial for stuff.” Every morning for weeks, Dr. Steven reduce the possibility of exposure. slowing the spread of respiratory viruses In the season 3 finale of “The West Wing,” Sbardella, the chief medical officer at The city is also working on a system for like COVID-19 that only require one con- a Secret Service agent is shot and killed MelroseWakefield Hospital, and his team screening 911 calls to immediately col- taminated droplet to spread. in a convenience store robbery. President set a coronavirus preparedness goal. lect information on possible symptoms, “That method of transmission along Bartlet (Martin Sheen) tells his Republican Yesterday’s objective was to ensure that the O’Connor said. with the fact that none of us have ever opponent, Governor Robert Ritchie (James hospital’s off-site practitioners were adopt- Medford Public Schools is also bracing seen it before makes it highly infectious,” Brolin) of Florida, about this, and Ritchie’s ing standards to prevent the spread of the for closures that could be triggered if a she said. response is, “Oh. Crime. Boy, I don’t know.” virus at their offices. member of the faculty, staff or student body Boucher said that social distancing and Over the past few years, many peo- Once he gets to work, Sbardella says tests positive for the virus. O’Connor said public health campaigns by local authori- ple have drawn parallels between Ritchie he spends the next eight to 10 hours in that the chief concern would be providing ties, like those in Medford and Somerville, and Trump: The faux folksiness and inel- meetings and on calls trying to achieve that food for the students that rely on school are extremely successful epidemic mitiga- oquence are just two points of compari- day’s goal, checking in with his crisis team breakfasts and lunches. One option under tion strategies. son. Ritchie’s inadequate response to the at noon. consideration is to have grab-and-go sta- Mitigation efforts aim to slow the spread news that a Secret Service agent has died “We’re trying to look at every scenario tions around the city. of the virus, as opposed to containment seems very similar to Trump’s unsatisfac- possible and planning just in case we have On the other side of the Hill, Somerville efforts, which are intended to prevent tory take on coronavirus. He has under- to adjust to different levels of capability,” is facing its first virus-related school clo- spread outright, she said. The goal is to pre- mined and contradicted the Centers for Sbardella said. sure today. Following two presumptive pos- vent a sudden increase in cases that could Disease Control and Prevention officials For local hospitals this is the new reality: itive cases, all schools and district buildings overwhelm the healthcare system before who have been trying to warn the public a race against time. will be closed for the remainder of the week medications or a vaccine can be brought about the spread of the coronavirus. He has Right around when Sbardella was check- for deep cleaning. onto the market. dismissed the World Health Organization’s ing in with his team at MelroseWakefield In an interview on Tuesday evening, Marc Lipsitch, a Harvard epidemiolo- reported global fatality rate of COVID-19 as Hospital yesterday, 15 minutes down the Doug Kress, the director of health and gist, recently projected that anywhere from false. He has compared the virus to the flu, Fellsway, police officers, firefighters and human services for Somerville said that the 40–70% of the world’s adult population something experts say is wrong. city officials were filing into the city council city has been doing contingency planning could fall ill with COVID-19. Boucher said Even though you are more likely to con- chambers at Medford City Hall for an emer- for the virus for weeks. that is largely in line with rates from prior tract the flu than COVID-19 right now, the gency management planning meeting with “This is going to be an effort on all of epidemics. fact is that this is a global pandemic, and the mayor. us to make sure that we slow or stop the These projections have local hospitals the coronavirus currently has no vaccine. MaryAnn O’Connor, the city’s director spread of this virus,” Kress said. working overtime to find space for the This is not reason to panic, but it is reason of public health, assisted Mayor Breanna In a joint statement yesterday, Somerville potential patients. David Cecere, a spokes- to be cautious. Trump’s handling of the Lungo-Koehn in leading the meeting on Mayor Joe Curtatone and Superintendent man for Cambridge Health Alliance (CHA), COVID-19 health crisis is telling. It reveals the administration’s preparations for the of Somerville Public Schools Mary Skipper which operates Somerville Hospital, said him as a president who does not support coronavirus. rolled out a series of strict new guidelines that the clinical team is currently searching citizens with paid sick leave laws so people “We’re being cautious; we’re taking it to prevent the spread of the virus, including for “non-traditional” spaces to accomodate with coronavirus don’t have to worry about very seriously, but we believe that we’re postponing all events sponsored by the city a potential rise in cases. their next paycheck and who refuses to ready,” O’Connor said. or the schools with over 50 attendees until CHA is also developing the capaci- provide citizens with accurate information The first presumptive positive case of at least April 30. ty to perform its own COVID-19 tests, about a pandemic. COVID-19 in the city was announced on Events under that total will now be Cecere said. The way this administration is dealing Tuesday, but O’Connor has been having required to implement “social distancing” Though Somerville Hospital and the rest with COVID-19 is terrible for public health. daily meetings with the mayor on the city’s — requiring attendees to maintain six feet of the CHA system are not yet treating any It also emphasizes the need for a new response to the crisis for more than a week. of space between them. Attendees are also cases of coronavirus, they have seen an administration that doesn’t treat medical uptick in calls to their primary care cen- experts’ warnings like suggestions and isn’t ters from people worried about the virus, so cavalier with the truth. Bartlet ends his according to Cecere. conversation with Ritchie with, “In the That public concern is not just mani- future, if you’re wondering: ‘Crime. Boy, festing in calls and emails, Sbardella said. I don’t know,’ is when I decided to kick In recent days, the hospital began stor- your ass,” and ultimately beats Ritchie in a ing safety supplies, like masks, in a cen- landslide. I’m hoping that “rough stuff, I tell tral location and requiring staff to call in you, rough, rough, stuff” will lead to Trump requests. losing the White House in November. “We did that to make sure that those supplies weren’t being overused, or even taken home as people panic or get con- cerned about how to protect themselves,” Sbardella said. With this new system in place, Sbardella is confident that the hospital has adequate supplies to handle the projections. But just like at CHA, space is also an issue of con- cern, and if need be, the hospital can con- vert rooms used for elective procedures to treat COVID-19 cases. However, Sbardella exuded confidence in the weeks of planning and innumerable meetings he has put into the hospital’s response. Aadhya Shivakumar is a sophomore study- “I am optimistic,” he said. “The promise ing political science. Aadya can be reached at [email protected]. will be we will do the best job possible with whatever we’re faced with.” tuftsdaily.com Thursday, March 12, 2020 | FUN & GAMES | THE TUFTS DAILY 5 F&G LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY FUN & GAMES Robert: “If I’m getting things through my butt right now, it’s not coronavirus” tuftsdaily.com

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Difficulty Level:Saying goodbye to the Daily (Aidan Menchaca)

Wednesday’s Solutions

CROSSWORD 6 Opinion Thursday, March 12, 2020 tuftsdaily.com

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR LETTER FROM THE MANAGING BOARD This community still has a voice Covering our global community

Dear Tufts Community, In this form, we unite our physically Dear Tufts Community, paigns in whatever capacity they can. In Unrest, uncertainty and shock set- fragmented campus in our shared pas- These are trying times. With heavy hearts, these times of uncertainty, the intentionality tles throughout our campus as we say sion for bettering our university and we will leave our Hill behind this weekend, and coming together of these groups echoes our goodbyes and pack the semester recognizing its inherent value as well. many months too early. Nevertheless, our the “light on the hill” values that this univer- away much too soon. As the Managing However, not only the Editorial Board community has shown incredible resolve, sity was established upon. Board discussed, the Daily is no excep- holds this power, for it lies in the voices facing these rapid and unprecedented Undoubtedly, the experiences that our tion to these feelings, faced with the of our diverse community. We encourage changes in stride and coming together as the community will face this semester are sudden need to adapt to these radical active engagement as we move forward in vibrant community we are. Kindness, sup- unprecedented. As one of many established circumstances. Following our communi- the form of Op-ed and Letter to the Editor port and generosity have poured forth for publications on campus, we believe that ty’s clear commitment to its core values submissions; the Opinion inbox remains those students affected most — low-income capturing the spirit and experiences of our of kindness and selflessness during this open and ready to share our communi- students, international students, students community is more important than ever. trying time, the Daily remains bound to ty’s perspectives, with Op-eds expressing with pressing health needs and those from With this in mind, the Daily intends to its mission — to connect, inform and thoughts on specific issues and Letters to impacted areas. Though we will be phys- remain as an active platform to represent catalyze conversation. Like the rest of the Editor responding to our rest-of-se- ically apart, we will remain close through the voices of the entire Tufts community. the Daily, the Opinion section remains mester content. Thus, the Opinion page our shared experiences and love for our Moving forward, the Tufts Daily will con- committed to the preservation of our not only unites the campus in its duty but community. Although circumstances have tinue to regularly publish online, covering actively engaged community; regardless in its content as well, an interconnected changed, the Tufts Daily will continue to the community as it navigates the changing of our dispersed physical locations, we mosaic of our “small town” thoughts, pas- publish regularly this spring, uploading arti- situation and as it comes back together remain whole in our dedicated spirit to sions and — of course — opinions. cles online, releasing a weekly newsletter over the coming months. Our writers and the editorial process, engaged citizen- While these changes press on, know and maintaining our coverage of the Tufts editors are dedicated to documenting this ship and serving our “small town.” that the Opinion section as well as the community, wherever we may be. campus and this community, although we Ramifications of this drastic situ- entire Tufts Daily remains a dedicated Changes have been swift and disrup- will not be printing the Daily. ation lie in tandem with the break- constancy, both a representation and tive, but nevertheless, over the past days we We encourage members of the commu- ing news of the present moment. Thus, manifestation of our community’s sol- have seen student organizations step up to nity to use the Daily as a platform to express the Daily’s Editorial Board remains as idarity, hope and unfaltering engage- address the needs of all of those affected. the student experience through letters to important as ever in the creation of ment. Ultimately, I see this challenging Tufts Mutual Aid, launched on March 10 the editor and op-eds. As reflected in the widespread discussion on the issues situation as a test — and one in which after the initial announcement of chang- Editor in Chief’s semester-opening letter, that matter to us. As the university we will undoubtedly succeed — for while es to university operations, has organized we think of the Daily as our own small-town provides updates on the dining and we diffuse across the world, we remain the distribution of necessary food, cleaning newspaper. In the months to come, though housing reimbursements, the poten- one in actuality, secured by the values products, storage space, funds and trans- our small town will be dispersed across the tial on-campus housing deficit and the at our community’s core. I look forward portation services for students in need. In globe, the values of this community will con- associated impacts on international and to being a part of the expression of partnership with the FIRST Resource Center, tinue to animate our coverage and spread low-income students, the Daily’s edi- this success, with the Opinion section its work has been admirable in managing peace and light to all corners of the world. torial board remains empathetic and staying at the forefront of the fervorous multitudinous needs and resources during Sincerely, available to express its opinions and participation that will fuse our shuttered this difficult time. Yesterday, the TCU Senate The Managing Board, vision of how our community should campus with forward movement and announced that funds from the student Ryan Shaffer, Editor in Chief be. The Board exists to serve this func- togetherness. activities fee will be allocated toward the Alex Viveros, Managing Editor tion — although not anticipated in this Sincerely, Unexpected Hardship Fund for Student Nathan Kyn, Managing Editor situation — and we stay fully committed Hannah Harris Needs led by the FIRST Center. We encour- Kristina Marchand, Production Director to following through on this vocation. Executive Opinion Editor age students to contribute to these cam- Tys Sweeney, Associate Editor

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F 0 O 92 SMOKEYBEAR.COM UNDED 1 The Tufts Daily is a nonprofit, independent newspaper, published Monday through Friday during the academic year, and distributed free to the Tufts community. The content of letters, advertisements, signed columns, cartoons and graphics does not necessarily reflect the opinion of The Tufts Daily editorial board. EDITORIALS Editorials represent the position of The Tufts Daily. Individual editors are not necessarily responsible for, or in agreement with, the policies and editorials of The Tufts Daily. OP-EDS The Op-Ed section of The Tufts Daily, an open forum for campus editorial commentary, is printed Monday through Thursday. The Daily welcomes submissions from all members of the Tufts community; the opinions expressed in the Op-Ed section do not necessarily represent the opinions of the Daily itself. Opinion articles on campus, national and international issues should be 600 to 1,200 words in length and submitted to [email protected]. The editors reserve the right to edit letters for clarity, space and length. All material is subject to editorial discretion and is not guaranteed to appear in the Daily. Authors must submit their telephone numbers and day-of availability for editing questions. ADVERTISING All advertising copy is subject to the approval of the Editor-in-Chief, Executive Board and Executive Business Director. Opinion Thursday, March 12, 2020 | Opinion | THE TUFTS DAILY 7

OP-ED ARTS COLUMN Food security is about more than food Colette Smith and tuftsdaily.com Madison Lehan swipes each semester, and students can That’s a choice, but it is a choice many by Cathy Stanton, Kyle Burton and donate additional swipes — up to two for Tufts students never have to make. It can Love it or Haute it Madeleine Clarke those on the Premium Plan and up to four be alienating to face those choices when From preschool through higher educa- for those on block plans. you’re at a generally very affluent institu- Fringe tion, schools have a responsibility to nur- Coordination and publicity around tion. It’s why sociologist Anthony Abraham ture both minds and bodies. Students can’t these resources could be stronger, but we Jack argues in his 2019 book “The Privileged hile fringe has never gone learn well when they’re not well-nourished. assume that will continue to evolve along Poor: How Elite Colleges are Failing away completely, it was heav- After all, “alma mater” translates to “nour- with the efforts themselves. Disadvantaged Students” that “access is ily featured in the Spring 2020 ishing mother.” But there’s another layer to this issue not inclusion.” Admission to a school like fashion shows and will likely On the whole, our own nourishing that elite schools like Tufts are only begin- Tufts, even with a generous aid package, Wbecome much more common than it ever mother, Tufts University, takes this respon- ning to come to grips with. doesn’t address the many ways that dis- was before. We do not like to discriminate sibility seriously. But we could and should The standard definition of food inse- parities can make themselves felt in daily here, so instead of focusing on specif- be doing more. curity — “limited or uncertain availability campus living. ic fringed garments (think fringe jack- You may have seen postings about a sur- of nutritionally adequate and safe foods This is where food insecurity is about ets, fringe dresses, fringe purses, etc), we vey on food security at Tufts, with a chance or limited or uncertain ability to acquire a lot more than just food. Gathering more chose to take a more broad view and focus to win one of 20 $50 Jumbo Cash prizes. acceptable foods in socially acceptable data about the issue on our own campus on the fringe as its own concept. So as you The study is being conducted by Health ways,” according to the U.S. Department is an important first step toward a more shop for your spring garments, we are here Services’ Department of Health Promotion of Agriculture — doesn’t begin to get at the productive discussion about it. Our class to let you know if you should pick up some and Prevention, and it aims to get a clear- many reasons why a person might experi- will be helping to analyze and share the fringe or not. er sense of the extent and nature of food ence food insecurity. survey data with the Tufts community Coco: I was born a die-hard fringe fan insecurity among undergraduates on Tufts In a university setting, this can manifest through various media later in the spring. and I think that I will die as one too. From campuses. We encourage all undergradu- in many subtle ways. Reliable access to But we’re also calling on students, staff my forest-green fringe dress for my kin- ates to take the survey. good food tends to wax and wane over the and administrators to engage in deep- dergarten holiday recital to my fringe high But along with students in our spring academic year and over the course of a stu- er conversations around the issue. Tufts school prom dress, those hanging strings “Practicing in Food Systems” class, ENV190, dent’s time at school. Juniors and seniors should adopt a policy that no student just never disappoint! It really can do it all. we’re also calling on students, staff and living off-campus in a high-priced housing should ever have to sacrifice eating well in From looking like a cowboy who just caught administrators to recognize why this prob- market often find themselves juggling basic order to meet other needs. There should some criminals in suede fringe to a rock- lem can’t be solved simply by providing expenses once rent and utilities get added be stronger coordination and communi- star in a classic leather fringe jacket, the more food. to tuition and books. Even for first-years cation around existing resources on cam- trend has the power to transform you into Current efforts include financial aid that and sophomores on meal plans, there are pus. In the future, it would help to have the chic protagonist of a movie you always may include a meal plan. Students can also times, such as breaks, when the dining halls a designated point person and a unified looked up to. Wearing fringe on an average get support from various programs includ- are closed. There’s some help available to program addressing food options. In the day is a super bold move but it might make ing the FIRST Resource Center, which cover those gaps, but it doesn’t necessarily short term, updating and connecting the people think you are cool enough that works with low-income and first-genera- reach or cover every student who might be available online information would be a they will actually talk to you (or they will tion students and those with undocument- experiencing food insecurity. huge step. think you are a freak, but that’s a gamble I ed status. Even more subtle are the ways that social We know that our nourishing moth- would take). However, a more underrated Most Tufts undergrads are familiar with interactions around food can sharpen er faces a lot of demands for time and use of fringe is how it can be so elegant in the Swipe It Forward program, initiated disparities. You often hear the phrase resources — but keeping everyone fed is more formal styles. The Oscar de la Renta in 2017 by Tufts Community Union (TCU) “food brings people together.” But food surely at the top of the list. and Christian Siriano Spring 2020 Fashion Senate leaders in partnership with Tufts can also be divisive — for example, when Shows both displayed fringed looks and Dining and the Office of Student Success a group of friends decides to go out to eat Cathy Stanton is a Senior Lecturer in the they were show stoppers. The way it sways and Advising (OSSA), which has now been together, but students of more limited Department of Anthropology. Professor as the model saunters up the runway shows integrated into the FIRST Resource Center. means can’t afford to say yes. Students Stanton can be reached at cathy.stanton@ why fringe is one of the most beautiful, and According to Patti Klos, director of dining may also opt to prioritize expenses other tufts.edu. Kyle Burton is a sophomore underutilized, textiles. The movement cre- studying Biology. Kyle can be reached at and business services, Swipe It Forward than food for family reasons — for exam- ates a feeling that the garment is alive. So, [email protected]. Madeleine Clarke provided 1,672 meals in the 2018–19 aca- ple, turning a meal plan refund into rent is a senior studying Community Health. in conclusion, I hope to see fringe every- demic year. The program is clearly continu- to fill a gap during a moment of family Madeleine can be reached at Madeleine. where and on everyone this spring because ing to grow. This year Dining donated 2,000 financial crisis. [email protected]. it is magnificent. Beans: While I know that I will never be able to pull off this look, I fully respect those who can. I have never owned any fringe but I have a strong attachment to the idea of fringe. I personally associate fringe with your cool aunt in a punk rock band with her high school buddies. The definition of badass. Electric guitar plugged into a vin- tage amp, blaring Blondie’s greatest hits. I aspire to have that kind of energy, that kind of confidence, to rock and roll on stage with my best homies in a fringe leather jacket. To see the bits of leather blowing the heat of a crowded basement show is a privilege. In trying times such as these, I think it’s important for us to hone this energy. We have a major life event to overcome. The only way to get through it is by washing our hands, sticking together and wearing fringe leather jackets. While we are feeling the pain of being ditched by our university, we should be with our best friends. We should be shredding guitar solos, forgetting about our husbands, and rocking out to 80s hits.

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F 0 O 92 SMOKEYBEAR.COM UNDED 1 Colette Smith is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. Colette can be reached at [email protected]. Madi- son Lehan is a sophomore who has not yet declared a major. Madison can be reached at [email protected]. 8 Sports Thursday, March 12, 2020 tuftsdaily.com

Alex Sharp Game Day Spring sports canceled, winter NCAA competitions Tourney time to continue

was in the library last night when Tufts announced that classes will be moved online after spring break due to the global coronavirus pandemic. The Ilibrary quickly went from a quiet study space to a hive of activity with kids making calls, embracing their friends and shedding tears. When I saw the email, I only had one thought: Please don’t let this affect March Madness. Assuming the Div. I NCAA basketball tournament takes place, the next few weeks will be filled with some of the best and most exciting games of the year. This col- umn is dedicated to preparing you for the game within the game: the bracket pool. Bracketology is an extremely complicated science studied by thousands of Americans each year. Since Tufts currently doesn’t offer a class in bracketology to fulfill the science requirement, I’m here to give you some tips to help you win your pool and maximize the March Madness experience. Only fill out one bracket. Everyone knows the guy who walks around telling everybody about how he “called” the big first round upset. What he really means is that he picked the No. 14 seed to win in two EVAN SAYLES / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES of his 28 brackets. Very impressive, right? The Steve Tisch Sports and Fitness Center is pictured on Saturday, May. 9, 2015. No. Don’t be that guy. Fill out one bracket and ride it to glory or to the dumpster fire. All spring sports have been canceled, tinue to compete in postseason play will be John Casey, head coach of the baseball Upperclassmen point guards while winter sports teams still competing in allowed to stay on campus and use Tufts din- team and associate director of athletics, win championships. Last year, University NCAA postseason competitions will continue ing services while they remain open. If dining explained that although he understands the of Virginia rode junior guards Kyle Guy as scheduled, according to an email sent to halls close, student athletes will be provided decision, it is still devastating for his team. and Ty Jerome to the championship. In the Tufts community on Tuesday evening by with meal money or meals by the department. “I’m literally sick to my stomach for the 2018, junior guard Jalen Brunson starred in University President Anthony Monaco. They will receive sports medicine services as seniors,” Casey said. Villanova University’s championship run, The announcement came as the univer- needed for the remainder of the season. Casey also said it has been difficult seeing and in 2017, junior guard Joel Berry ran sity joined a growing group of institutions In addition, a follow-up email sent to the his team’s season canceled while the winter the point for University of North Carolina’s that have suspended in-person classes and Tufts community yesterday announced that sports are still scheduled to continue. championship squad. The team you pick closed residence halls for the remainder of the Tisch Sports Center and Gantcher Family “I’m having trouble figuring out how some to go all the way should have guards with the semester in response to the global spread Sports Center will be closed to the general pub- teams are continuing to play while they shut experience handling the ball when every- of the novel coronavirus, formally known as lic beginning on Monday, March 16. According down others,” Casey said. thing is on the line. COVID-19. to Director of Athletic Communications Paul Casey also said that he and all other coach- Pick teams that can hit free throws in “We realize this will be upsetting to our Sweeney, these facilities will be open to ath- es were notified via email of the cancellation crunch time. With so many tight games athletes and their supporters,” Monaco wrote letes on the basketball and swim and dive of their seasons, and that he contacted his in the tournament, the ability to hit free in his email. “We recognize the dedication and teams should they continue on in their post- team via email before meeting with them later throws can literally be the difference hard work of our student athletes, and we look seasons. on Wednesday. With such a major decision, between victory and defeat. In evaluating forward to resumption of NESCAC competi- NESCAC officials declined to comment Casey questioned this process of delivering a team’s free throw ability, it’s important tion in the future.” beyond the statement posted online upon information. not only to look at overall team free throw The decision to halt all NESCAC spring request from the Daily and referred all ques- “When it’s a really emotional thing for percentage, but also to check how teams sports seasons — including conference cham- tions to the Tufts Athletics Department. Tufts student athletes, [and] when they’ve invest- perform from the line at the end of close pionships — came after a meeting of the Director of Athletics John Morris also could ed all this time, I’m not sure that’s conveyed games. Nothing can simulate the pressure NESCAC presidents, according to Monaco’s not be reached for comment due to the urgent very well by an email,” Casey said. “The of the tournament, but if a team shoots a email and a NESCAC statement posted online nature of the situation, but referred all ques- hard part for some of these kids is it feels high percentage and has been successful on Wednesday. The Tufts women’s tennis, tions to Sweeney. like ‘someone took something from me, from the line at the end of close games, it’s men’s tennis, women’s lacrosse and men’s Coaches and student athletes are still pro- and I don’t know why.’” a good sign. lacrosse teams had already started their reg- cessing these decisions and the effects they Other coaches and student athletes of both Watch conference tournaments. All of ular seasons. will have, both for athletics and in their lives. winter and spring teams chose not to respond them. Split screen if you need to. I’ve been Despite the developing situation on cam- “We are very heartbroken,” senior co-cap- for comment. filling out a bracket since I was seven years pus, winter sports will be allowed to compete tain Grace Fabryky of the women’s crew team Like the rest of the Athletics department, old, and last year I made the best pick of my in NCAA postseason competitions, which said. “But I think we recognize that this is coaches and athletes ultimately are trying to life. I correctly took five seed Auburn to the are expected to continue as planned. In the a much bigger issue that is happening and maintain a positive attitude. final four because I watched them crush next two weeks, six teams are scheduled to impacting our little corner of the world. “We just have to stay focused and try to a very good Tennessee team 84–64 in the compete in NCAA postseason events: wom- Head coach of women’s track and field make the most of the week,” senior Roger Gu South Eastern Conference championship en’s basketball, men’s basketball, women’s and cross country Kristen Morwick will still of the men’s swim and dive team said about the game. Conference tournaments shouldn’t indoor track and field, men’s indoor track travel to North Carolina this weekend with upcoming NCAA National Championships. be the only factor in your decision making, and field, women’s swim and dive and men’s the athletes who qualified for NCAA Indoor “As soon as we heard the news, we but they are a good indicator of how well a swim and dive. National Championships, but she expressed came together last night, and already team is playing going into the NCAA tour- The NCAA announced in a statement on sadness due to the cancellation of the spring people are so sad, but we are channeling nament. Wednesday afternoon that all championship outdoor season. our sadness to supporting each other and Good luck Tufts bracketologists. There’s events will be closed to spectators except for “I can say we are totally bummed for our being together,” Fabryky said about her nothing better than college basketball in essential staff and limited family members. team,” Morwick wrote in an email to the Daily. team. “I am so impressed that even in the March. Let’s go. NCAA events hosted at Tufts, such as the “So, so sad right now.” face of existential crisis, my teammates women’s basketball NCAA Sweet 16 and Elite Rhemi Toth, a senior and co-captain of are there.” 8 games this weekend, had already barred the track and field team, expressed mixed Casey had a similar attitude about how he spectators, according to Monaco’s email emotions regarding the continuation of the will lead his team. and a Tufts Athletics press release earlier on winter postseason and the cancellation of “One thing we’ve always prided ourselves Wednesday. No decision has been made yet the spring season. on is we have total control on how we han- on Tufts teams’ eligibility for spring NCAA “I feel very lucky that we have one last dle adversity,” Casey said. “I have to remind postseason play. opportunity to compete for Tufts,” Toth said. “Track myself of that every two minutes right now, Alex Sharp is a first-year who has not yet declared a major. Alex can be reached at The Athletics department informed the has been a big part of my life, and it’s sad that I won’t but we’re going to try to handle this the best [email protected]. Daily via email that student athletes who con- have one last chance [in the outdoor season].” way we can.”