Northeastern epidemiologist recommending targeted rollback of reopening

BOSTON — A Northeastern epidemiologist is among a list of experts who are recommending that the state of Massachusetts consider a rollback of some of its reopening.

Samuel Scarpino, an assistant professor at Northeastern’s Network Science Institute, told Boston 25 he believes action should be taken to prevent a second surge.

Over the weekend, the state reported 643 new cases, up from 483 the previous weekend.

Scarpino said a steady increase in the state’s percent positive and total number of cases are an indicator of what could be coming in a matter of weeks.

“We are not currently experiencing a surge. However, the numbers are concerning that we may be headed towards one,” said Samuel Scarpino, who runs Northeastern’s Emergency Epidemics Lab. “We want to act decisively and intelligently now to prevent that from happening.”

Scarpino is suggesting that the state press the rewind button as soon as possible.

“By taking careful, targeted action early we can avoid a larger scale rollback to phase 2 or phase 1,” said Scarpino.

The recommendation is concerning to many businesses owners who waited patiently for months and are currently following the state’s guidelines.

“We are literally doing everything we possibly can do to be a partner with the scientists,” said Ken Horgan, owner of the Pilgrim House Inn in Provincetown. “We’re fighting, and we’re at the end of our road.”

Horgan is worried businesses that aren’t contributing to a uptick in COVID-19 cases could be affected if the state considers a rollback.

“This pay period, I was finally able to return my entire staff to their pre-COVID salaries,” said Horgan.

One of the standout components of Horgan’s current operation is the routinely sold out Miss Richfield drag performance outside the Pilgrim House.

Horgan transformed the driveway at his hotel into an outdoor venue. It includes socially distanced pods to ensure guests are safe.

“If we lose phase three, our entertainment season is over,” said Horgan. “We forget, it isn’t just abut the dollars and cents. It’s about a sense of normalcy.. a connection to pure joy we don’t want to lose again.”

Scarpino emphasizes that his recommendation of a targeted rollback would only impact businesses where COVID-19 cases are coming from.

He said the state would have to release specific details from contact tracing to reveal that information.

“If we find out they are not coming from gyms, we should leave the gyms open. If we find out they are coming from casino floors, we should act appropriately,” said Scarpino. “If we find out they are coming from an entirely different sector, we should take targeted action in that regard.”

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RESOURCES:

- Massachusetts Coronavirus Information

- Boston Coronavirus Information

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