The Tufts Daily - Monday, April 5, 2021

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VOLUME LXXXI, ISSUE 36

SPORTS

Tufts alumnus and former adjunct professor Ben Downing running for governor of Massachusetts

by Alexander Janoff Deputy News Editor

Tufts alumnus and former adjunct professor Ben Downing (AG’08) announced his candidacy for governor of Massachusetts earlier this year. Downing graduated from Tufts with a master’s degree in urban and environmental policy and planning in 2008.

After graduating with a degree in political science from Providence College in 2003, Downing worked for former Rep. John Olver (AG’56), also a Tufts alumnus, who represented the Massachusetts 1st District in the U.S. House of Representatives, before enrolling in Tufts’ graduate program for urban and environmental policy and planning in 2005.

Downing ran for the Massachusetts state Senate at 24, while he was a student at Tufts.

He ran partly because he wanted to improve the communities in western Massachusettswhere he was raised.

“My whole generation was basically told to study hard and get out,” Downing said. “I felt like I had a responsibility to give back to that community and to make sure that more kids got those opportunities and that we change that narrative we were telling people.”

Serving over 10 years in the state Senate, Downing was Senate chair of the Telecommunications, Utilities & Energy Committee; a member of the Senate Ways & Means Committee and chair of the Revenue, Higher Education, Ethics & Public Service Committee.

Many of his legislative accomplishments supported and progressed the liberal agenda in Massachusetts, and they involved topics including curbing climate change, increasing rights protections for LGBTQ individuals and establishing fairer tax reform for underprivileged communities and families. see CAMPAIGN, page 1

Tufts forms Bias Education Response Teams for all campuses

by Flora Meng

Assistant News Editor

The Office of the Provost shared in a March 22 email to the community that the two Bias Education and Resource Teams (BERT), previously announced

by University President Anthony Monaco, have been officially established.

The Medford/SMFA BERT is chaired by Rob Mack, associate provost and chief diversity officer for the Medford/SMFA campuses, and the Boston and Grafton health sciences campuses BERT is chaired by Joyce Sackey. Sackey holds the same position as Mack but for the health sciences campuses.

Mack discussed the motivation behind the creation of the BERT in an email to the Daily.

“BERT’s specific purpose is to address the community impact

tuftsdaily.com

Monday, April 5, 2021

MEDFORD/SOMERVILLE, MASS.

of bias and hate events by providing support to everyone — students, faculty, and staff,” Mack said. “As we first envisioned how these teams should work, we identified an unmet need for centrally supported, team-based efforts focusing on supporting the community by providing education and resources.”

Mack explained what they define as an incident of bias.

“At Tufts, an incident of bias is defined as a violation of University policy and/or federal or state law that is motivated by bias against an individual or group’s membership in a protected category: race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and expressee BERT, page 2

ALINA STRILECKIS / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES

Senior attacker Kirsten Grazewski looks for a pass in a game against Williams at Bello Field

Women’s lacrosse wins 17–5 in first game since start of pandemic

by Alex Viveros News Editor

In its first game since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Tufts women’s lacrosse team made a statement, defeating Connecticut College by a final score of 17–5 on Saturday.

The Jumbos, who were recently ranked by the Intercollegiate Women’s Lacrosse Coaches Association as the No. 2 Div. III team in the country, had not taken the field for 392 days prior to Saturday’s game. It was played at Conn. College in New London, Conn.

“Nothing’s guaranteed this season, and it has been a year since we played our last game,” senior attacker Emily Games said.

“We definitely wanted to go out there and make the most of what we were given and celebrate the little things … I was really proud of how our team performed.”

The Jumbos controlled possession and pace of play for the majority of the game. While Conn. College attempted 14 shots (13 on goal), Tufts shot 43 times (30 on goal).

Tufts led Conn. College 16–8 in draw controls, with junior

midfielder Kathryn Delaney and sophomore midfielder Sami Rothstein winning four draw controls each. This allowed Tufts to open up more scoring opportunities and keep the pressure on Conn. College’s defense for a significant portion of the game.

The first goal of the season was scored just over two minutes into the game. Tufts senior attacker Catherine Lawliss outran defenders to score an unassisted goal that connected see LACROSSE, page 10

Tufts medical students match into residencies, handle pandemicinfluenced process

by Mariel Priven and Alex Viveros

Executive Copy Editor and News Editor

Fourth-year students at the Tufts University School of Medicine placed into their residencies on this year’s “Match Day,” marking the second year in a row that students learned about their matches online amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

A total of 194 students matched into residencies in 24 specialties across 29 states on March 19. Amy Kuhlik, dean for student affairs at TUSM, explained the matching process.

OPINION / page 3

FEATURES / page 4

Ethical considerations for an inequitable vaccine rollout

Pre-health students take interest in geriatric health care, connect with older adults

“Students apply to residency programs in the late summer or early fall of their fourth year,” Kuhlik wrote in an email to the Daily.

After conducting interviews throughout the fall and early winter, students rank the residency programs in order of preference. These lists are typically submitted in late February, but students had until early March to do so this year.

“Programs also submit a list of candidates in rank order at the same time,” Kuhlik said. “The [National Resident Matching Program] then runs a unique match algorithm…which results

ARTS / 5

Shakespeare was a fraud

in a final ‘match’ that must be accepted by both students and programs. The Match results are announced for all programs/students on the same day in late March.”

Becca Bell, a fourth-year medical student who recently matched at DartmouthHitchcock Medical Center for otolaryngology, explained how TUSM’s Maine Track program guided her career choices. As part of the Maine program, Bell did her third and fourth years of medical school at Maine Medical Center. see MEDICINE, page 3 NEWS

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FEATURES

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ARTS & POP CULTURE

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FUN & GAMES

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OPINION

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SPORTS

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THE TUFTS DAILY | News | Monday, April 5, 2021

THE TUFTS DAILY Megan Szostak Editor in Chief

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Downing hopes to reduce economic inequity, improve transit CAMPAIGN

continued from page 1 Downing taught a class called “Massachusetts State Government: Learning While Doing” in the political science department every spring from 2016 to 2020.

“I was proud to collaborate with Ben on the development and support of the Tisch College course at the State House, which got terrific feedback from our students, and I have always found him to be an engaged alumnus who is dedicated to our students, to Tisch College and to the university,” Dean Alan Solomont of the Jonathan M. Tisch College of Civic Life wrote in an email to the Daily.

Political science professor Deborah Schildkraut echoed Solomont’s sentiments.

“The course [Downing] taught in our department was very well received and provided fantastic opportunities for our students in MA state government,” Schildkraut wrote in an email to the Daily.

Downing said that a major goal of his as governor would be to reduce the vast economic inequities in Massachusetts, which he believes are hidden under an aggregated high standard of living across the Commonwealth.

“I think … the gaps in our society, many of which COVID has exposed and blown wide open … were present before COVID, and the normal that too many want to return to would be widening economic inequality, widening racial and gender, wealth and wage gaps,” Downing said.

Massachusetts’ Human Development Index, which tracks social and economic development, is the highest in the United States.

Ne ve r t h e l e s s, D ow n i n g explained that not all residents in the Commonwealth enjoy a high standard of living.

“That rings hollow to African American families in Suffolk County whose median wealth is $8 while the median wealth of white families in Suffolk County is $250,000,” Downing said.

Many of Downing’s solutions to these inequities involve improving education, introducing tax reform, strengthening emissions standards and rebuilding infrastructure.

“We’re going to finally invest in transportation in Massachusetts, in the way that we need, to allow us to solve climate change through investments in transit, and also to drive the economy forward, and we’re going to pay for all of it by asking the wealthy to do more through comprehensive tax reform,” Downing said. “Massachusetts

is one of the wealthiest states in the nation. We don’t need to have crumbling infrastructure; we don’t need to have a fragmented childcare system; we don’t need to accept the status quo of widening racial wealth wage gaps.”

Downing also mentioned the ways in which his platform could benefit college students in Massachusetts. Specifically, Downing believes his transportation and housing reform proposals could improve student living and educational success for many.

If he wins the Democratic primary, Downing’s challenger would likely be incumbent Republican Gov. Charlie Baker, should Baker seek reelection.

Despite progressive politics in Massachusetts’ state legislature, as well as several progressive representatives and senators from Massachusetts in the U.S. Congress, Baker is one of several Republicans, including Mitt Romney and Bill Weld, who has won Massachusetts governorship.

Solomont said he believes some Massachusetts residents vote for Republican governors to

hedge against a progressive legislature.

“I think some Massachusetts voters are attracted to the idea of a bipartisan State House; and given the overwhelming majorities of Democrats in the legislature, some voters might see a GOP governor as a sort of partisan balance,” Solomont said.

Downing also pins the phenomenon on the higher standard to which voters hold a leader.

“Legislative offices are largely determined based on one test for voters: Does this candidate share my values?” Downing said. “A governor … is held to two tests: Does that candidate share my values, and can I trust the candidate will stand up for me, especially when it requires standing up to the majority in the legislature.”

Downing points to his history of standing up to his Democratic colleagues in the legislature as evidence he can pass a voter’s second test.

“I’ve had plenty of votes where I’ve been on the other side of a majority of my colleagues, and have still been able to work with them,” Downing said. “I think it’s the ability to be

Ben Downing, former Massachusetts state senator, is pictured.

independent, to secure voters’ trust, and if you have their trust, I think they will allow you to lead with your values around a bold agenda.”

Downing acknowledges that running against Baker could be an uphill battle. He holds faith, however, that voters will choose the correct candidate.

He hopes to enforce this belief by promoting a positive agenda and ensuring that any disagreements between himself and his challengers are purely professional. “[Baker is] a good man and a dedicated public servant who I disagree with, and they are strong disagreements,” Downing said. “I think the voting public should see that debate … I think it’s an incredibly important [debate] for us to have. I think by focusing on the record, we get away from some of the petty personal stuff, and we can put before the voters a real choice on the issues. Who’s the candidate whose policies and positions will build a fairer, stronger Massachusetts? I’m convinced that it will be me, but that’s not up to determine when all is said and done.”

VIA WIKIMEDIA COMMONS

News

Monday, April 5, 2021 | News | THE TUFTS DAILY

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BERT's work to be distinct from reporting processes, in coordination with other groups BERT

continued from page 1 sion (including a transgender identity), veteran status, genetics, retaliation, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal or state law,” Mack said.

The March 22 email, signed by Provost and Senior Vice President Nadine Aubry as well as Mack and Sackey, noted that the work of the BERTs is different from the processes already in place for reporting and handling incidents of bias.

Mack expanded further on this.

“In light of its particular scope and charge, the BERT works to address the impact of both proven violations of University policy and/or federal or state law, as well as perceived or potential violations, which may also impact the Tufts community,” Mack said.

The email announcement explained who will be involved with these processes.

“The BERTs will recommend and deliver educational and healing programming for the community in collaboration with staff in the provost’s office, identity-based centers, and other relevant offices and departments, and in concert with other initiatives, programs, and events at Tufts that promote inclusion and equity,” the email said.

The BERT webpage expanded on the way the processes will work.

“Members of the BERT will convene as soon as possible after a report of an incident of bias is provided to them by senior administration, TUPD, or

A community-wide vigil honoring the eight people who lost their lives in the Atlanta-area shooting was held on March 24. the Office of Equal Opportunity, to whom all reports of bias, discrimination, and/or hate are referred for investigative and/ or tracking purposes, in collaboration with other offices,” the site said.

Mack explained that the intended impact of the BERTs is ultimately education-based.

“BERTs primary function is to provide education and resources to support our community after an event has taken place,” Mack said. “However, the BERT will also be working with OEO

and senior administration to identify trends that may call for proactive recommendations from [other diversity groups on campus]”.

Mack detailed that the BERT team is composed of members from other diversity groups at Tufts.

“The Medford/SMFA BERT is specifically comprised [of ] leadership from [the identity centers and TCU’s Committee on Community Diversity and Inclusion] to ensure full collaboration,” Mack said. “The Medford/SMFA BERT has a

number of faculty and students who have agreed to support recommendations from the BERT.” He added why he believes the establishment of the BERTs is crucial, especially right now.

“It’s important to recognize Tufts’ past efforts, but this is a way to take collaborative and purposeful action with the clear message from the president and provost that this is a university priority,” Mack said.

The email also announced that one of the BERTs’ first cam-

SOPHIE DOLAN / THE TUFTS DAILY

pus-wide initiatives was to honor the victims of the recent shooting in Atlanta.

“The BERTs have partnered with the President’s Office, the Chief Diversity Officers, the Asian American Center, and the University Chaplaincy for a community-wide vigil … where we will honor the lives of the eight people lost this week, and convene as a community in mourning and solidarity,” the email said.

This vigil was held on March 24.

Med students say TUSM was helpful in dealing with a completely virtual matching process MEDICINE

continued from page 1 “I really liked the idea that the school really emphasized long-term relationships with patients in that more rural setting,” Bell said.

The Maine Track provides students interested in careers in rural medicine the opportunity to get hands-on experience working in clinical sites throughout Maine and learn a community-based curriculum.

Bell chose otolaryngology-head and neck surgery because it allows her to work as a surgeon while also developing long-term relationships with patients.

“I spent my third year working in a smaller hospital in a more rural town in Maine,” Bell said. “I found that I really loved working in the [operating room] for the team environment, but I really wanted a surgical specialty where I could have long-term relationships with patients.”

At Dartmouth, Bell will be the only otolaryngology resident in her class. She explained that she chose the program because of the amount of one-on-one atten-

tion and mentoring she’ll receive, as well as the continued emphasis on rural medicine.

Kareem Hisham El-Tayeb, a fourth-year medical student, matched at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, specializing in anesthesiology. He said that the program was his top choice.

“I always thought cardiology, renal and all those physiology-heavy subjects are really fascinating,” El-Tayeb said. “[With] anesthesia, you become the master of all those things, in the OR at least.”

El-Tayeb credited his classmates with helping make his medical school experience enjoyable.

“My classmates really made my experience,” El-Tayeb said.

“Everyone’s just good to the core, it was really heartwarming.”

Of the 194 TUSM students that matched, 42.2% are staying in New England, 10.4% will be doing their residencies in California and two of the students will be starting their residencies in the military.

According to Kuhlik, the numbers and results of the matching process did not dif-

fer due to the pandemic. One aspect that was affected by the pandemic, however, was students’ ability to become familiar with the programs they were considering.

“This year, visiting rotations were banned across the country so students participated in ‘virtual’ away rotations where they Zoomed into rounds and conferences to get a feel for various programs,” Kuhlik said. “That meant that students had to rank programs that they were unable to visit, sometimes in cities or regions of the country that they had never seen.”

Bell added that as the entire matching process, including interviews, was conducted remotely, she was not able to see Dartmouth.

“I never actually got to go inside the hospital at Dartmouth,” Bell said. “[The pandemic] definitely changed the way that you get to meet people and explore the programs, but I really feel very lucky that it worked out as well as it did.”

Kuhlik explained how TUSM helped students navigate the process amid the changes.

“To help our students prepare for a more challenging interview environment, our Asst. Dean for Students, Jess Shah, did mock interviews (helping students with their ‘web manners’) and we recruited MD alumni to do mock interviews with any student who wanted more practice,” she said.

El-Tayeb said that the deans of the medical school helped him navigate through his doctoral education.

“You get a lot of support from the deans,” El-Tayeb said.

“They were so approachable … and for me, that was really meaningful.”

Bell and El-Tayeb are looking forward to the next chapter in their medical careers.

“I am really looking forward to exploring the upper valley,” Bell said. “The group at Dartmouth in the otolaryngology department just seems really kind and supportive, and they all seem really brilliant as well, so I’m really excited to learn from them and work with them.”

NICHOLAS PFOSI / THE TUFTS DAILY ARCHIVES

The Tufts Medical Center exterior during sunset on Aug. 28, 2014.

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FEATURES

Tufts students work to ease social isolation of older adults during pandemic

by Ari Navetta

Assistant Features Editor

Disclaimer: Arielle Galinsky is a contributing writer at The Tufts Daily.

Arielle was not involved in the writing or editing of this article.

As COVID-19 swept through nursing homes across the United States in the early months of the pandemic, the country’s health care resources became focused on containing the spread of the disease, especially among the most vulnerable citizens. By late June 2020, 54,000 nursing home residents and workers had died from COVID19. Despite making up less than 1% of the U.S. population, nursing home residents represented 43% of COVID-19 deaths at the time.

After nursing homes bore the brunt of early COVID-19 deaths, the nation moved to stop the spread among the population. Nursing homes were left reeling from such devastating losses, trying to train workers on proper precautions and dealing with financial struggles. During this stage, a new threat to the health of America’s elder population emerged, one that has long plagued this population but is often overlooked. The mental health crisis resulting from social isolation and anxiety is now exponentially worse.

One student group at Tufts has set out to combat this issue on a local scale, providing volunteer opportunities targeted at pre-health students to ease the isolation of the geriatric community. Advocates for Quality Aging (AQA) began in fall 2020 as a health care blog featuring interviews with geriatric health care providers, social workers and others in the industry. Founder Paul Ly wanted to give pre-health students at Tufts an idea of what life was like for those serving the geriatric community.

Ly, a senior, discovered an interest in geriatric care after his sophomore year at Tufts when he returned home to Seattle for the summer.

“I found this adult day care center called Full Life Care, and I pretty much spent my whole summer working with them, taking care of older adults, running these mini book club sessions,” Ly said. “We do this thing called memory care to help older adults kind of just jog [their] memory. I also spent a lot of

time shadowing a geriatric primary care provider, so I learned a lot about how older adults in certain areas may get different levels of access to health care and such.”

Ly’s interest in educating students about geriatric care transformed during the pandemic.

“Initially I wanted to provide a lot of pre-health students on this campus [with] an idea of how the older adult population is growing and how there should be more health care providers ready to tackle this incoming wave of older adults,” Ly said. “But over time that passion kind of turned more into a volunteering passion, and I think it makes even more sense now than ever because we’re in a pandemic.”

The difficulty of reaching health care workers amid a pandemic and the logistical restraints of physical distancing brought about a new focus for AQA. “Our group had to take a bit more of a creative approach,” Ly said. “How can we make use of any other technology we have while providing students with a good volunteer experience [and] easing the loneliness of older adults?”

AQA has launched a partnership with the Medford Council on Aging where volunteers help geriatric patients access now-ubiquitous virtual services such as Zoom and lead a weekly book club, according to sophomore Ivian Zhang, director of community events for AQA. Elders have had a particularly hard time dealing with social isolation, as many of them are less familiar with virtual ways of staying in touch than younger populations.

The Tufts Public Health Society is another group that has taken initiative in easing the isolation of geriatric adults. The group has partnered with the Medford Senior Center to provide a similar service where volunteers call residents on a weekly basis. First-year Arielle Galinsky, a Tufts Public Health Society board member, has long been interested in intergenerational communication and wanted to continue this work during the pandemic.

“When the pandemic hit, and with the understanding that these senior residents were some of the hardest hit by the impacts of social isolation, I got involved by becoming a ‘call coach’ to 50–60 residents weekly,” Galinsky wrote in an email to the Daily. “I knew that both the senior citizens and students

alike could benefit from conversation during a period of such isolation.”

The work has not been without challenges, however, and both AQA and Tufts Public Health Society have experienced unexpected setbacks that required creative solutions.

“Seniors are weary to lend their phone numbers out to people they do not know — which is totally understandable,” Galinsky said. “The hope is to get every student matched, or at least find another avenue for that student to get involved with doing something to uplift the spirits of Medford seniors.”

AQA currently has about 30 active members working as volunteers. Like some other clubs this year, it is experiencing some difficulty engaging those who have expressed interest but were not placed in volunteer positions.

“We try to not turn away help … and I’m assuming that the people that sign up for volunteering are pre-health students who are just looking for volunteer opportunities, and I understand that during this pandemic, it’s just mad hard to find volunteering opportunities,” Ly said. “My goal is to [create] as many volunteering opportunities as possible for the students.”

In an effort to achieve this goal and help as many geriatric adults as possible, AQA will soon launch three new volunteering initiatives with a local hospice. These include a pen pal program, phone call program and fundraising campaign led by Tufts students to raise money for personal protective equipment, Ly said.

AQA has additional plans to get more students interested in geriatric healthcare.

“Aside from volunteering, we’re going to focus on bringing back the blog, but we’re also going to focus on scientific engagement — bringing in speakers from the National Institute of Aging, or maybe the Massachusetts Institute for Neurodegenerative Diseases, getting them to talk about age-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s [and] dementia,” Ly said.

Ly highlighted the many social difficulties faced by elders, and pointed out similar challenges faced by students at the moment.

“It’s difficult because [elders] can’t physically leave their homes to go for see ISOLATION , page 6

AARON APOSTADERO / THE TUFTS DAILY

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Jenny Lu Tuff Talks

Exercising and bulking

D

ear J: How can I prioritize exercising if I don’t have time and I feel lazy sometimes?

Finding time to work out with school work, clubs, and whatever else you have going on is a struggle for so many students. I think the start is the hardest, but getting past that is super important because exercising will make you feel so much more productive and less lazy. It can definitely help motivate you to be better in other parts of your life.

First, it’s important to find out what type of exercise works for you. Exercise should be enjoyable, so forcing yourself to lift weights if that feels like work to you or choosing to run even if you are horrified by the idea will make your exercise routine unsustainable. Whether it’s cardio, lifting weights or some kind of sport, pick something you enjoy, try new things, and don’t be afraid to incorporate different kinds of exercise into your schedule.

Next, if you are just starting out or you have been struggling to be consistent with exercising for a long time, it’s going to be a lot better if you ease yourself into it. It’s easy to fall into the trap of being very motivated and going hard on your first session back so you can see results as soon as possible. This doesn’t work because you will feel too sore to work out for days, and it will kill your motivation. Results come slowly, so take it easy on your body and slowly build yourself up.

Lastly, figure out what time works for you. If you’re not a morning person, forcing yourself to go in the morning will not be sustainable past a few weeks. Everyone is different, and it doesn’t really matter what time you exercise if it’s within reasonable daytime hours.

Dear J: How do I put on weight in the gym?

Although our bodies are all different and putting on weight is easier for some than others, it is possible for everyone if they put in the right amount of work.

For many people, doing cardio is not as important when trying to bulk up, so try to do that type of exercise as little as possible. Cardio can sometimes help you to stay lean while bulking, but lifting weights is the key, and you should lift heavy. This is a great time to try to push yourself and build your lifts!

Doing fewer reps and heavier weights is what you should strive for — so if you can do 10 reps with ease on something, you’re doing too little!

A lot of the journey to bulking is also done in the dining halls. Eating a lot of protein will obviously help. Eggs are a great source of protein, and if you feel like you struggle to eat a lot, Commons has protein shakes that are really not that bad. You can also buy bags of protein powder to keep in your dorm if that’s easier. Stick to a plan and a diet and you’ll see results. Hope this helps!

Jenny Lu is a first-year who has not yet declared a major. Jenny can be reached at Jen.Lu@tufts.edu

ARTS & POP CULTURE

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Monday, April 5, 2021

Michael Blanding discusses Shakespeare, the world’s most prominent (presumed?) plagiarist

by Ellie Lester

Contributing Writer

Brookline Booksmith hosted a conversation on March 30 with Michael Blanding, the author of “North by Shakespeare: A Rogue Scholar’s Quest for the Truth Behind the Bard’s Work” (2021). Blanding’s “rogue scholar” is his colleague Dennis McCarthy; in the book, he discusses McCarthy’s journey to uncover the controversial truth behind William Shakespeare, a man whose literary prowess the world has long considered a fact.

Blanding’s book challenges the integrity of Shakespeare’s work, tackling the question: Where exactly did Shakespeare get his stories? The author chalked his research up to the words of author Bill Bryson, who remarked that “Shakespeare was a wonderful teller of stories so long as someone else has told them first.”

Blanding and McCarthy believe that Shakespeare’s source plays — used for nearly every one of his works — came almost exclusively from a writer named Thomas North.

During the conversation, Blanding admitted that, like many other scholars, he was initially skeptical of McCarthy’s findings. He recalled that as he dove further into his colleague’s research, he found increasingly compelling the notion that Shakespeare was taking inspiration from North’s work.

“Shakespeare wrote the plays,” Blanding said. “[He adapted his work from] this other writer and [made] it his own.”

Along with author June Schlueter, McCarthy used computerized plagiarism software to cross-reference Shakespeare’s work with one of North’s manuscripts. After the two published a book on their findings, Blanding said he pitched the story to the New York Times, landing the front page with his article, “Plagiarism Software Unveils a New Source for 11 of Shakespeare’s Plays.”

To Blanding’s pleasure, his article garnered positive reviews, “although mostly by people snickering about the fact that Shakespeare was a plagiarist,” he said.

McCarthy’s interest did not end with Shakespeare’s lapse in academic integrity; in toe with McCarthy’s research, Blanding wanted to delve deeper into the “larger theory about Thomas North” and the way he combined manuscripts from various sources — namely George North, who was likely a cousin of Thomas North— into the very plays for which Shakespeare is a household name.

Blanding credited the inspiration for his book with his colleague’s struggle. Despite the ver-

itability of his research, McCarthy had a difficult time getting his work off of the ground; thus, Blanding resolved to write a book distilling not just McCarthy’s controversial findings, but the essence of his “quest to prove these ideas” and examine how “a story can move around the world.”

Blanding’s book joins McCarthy on his venture to find the root of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” (1603). In his early research, Blanding explains, McCarthy discovered that the Scandinavian legend Shakespeare resold is not the only act of plagiarism marking one of the playwright’s most iconic works. The “Hamlet” that lines bookshelves (and English students’ nightmares), Blanding explains, is a derivative of “Ur-Hamlet,” a play predating Shakespeare’s, but its exact year of publication and author remain unknown.

Naturally, McCarthy’s next step was to identify the so-called “English Seneca” behind “Hamlet.” Blanding describes how his colleague’s treasure hunt pointed him towards Thomas North, as various clues hinted at the north winds and the writer’s known translations of Plutarch, a Greek philosopher. Using King Hamlet’s renowned soliloquy, Blading explains, McCarthy consulted Thomas North’s work and “deduced that … North was the ‘English Seneca,’ this author of the ‘Ur-Hamlet.’”

To McCarthy’s “uneasy conclusion,” Blanding said, his continued research suggested that “Hamlet” was far from the only play that Shakespeare lifted from Thomas North. In “Greene’s Groats-Worth of Wit,” (1592) for example, McCarthy unearthed the first reference to Shakespeare as an “upstart crow” who passes others’ works as his own, Blanding said.

According to Blanding, McCarthy discovered that North had lived a worldly life “as a lawyer, as a soldier, as a diplomat,” and amassed amazing experiences; this, he explained, is crucial, considering a main argument against Shakespeare’s “authorship of the plays” is that he seems to lack “the biography to have had the experiences” that would grant him access to the descriptive, complex jargon he uses in his plays.

Blanding notedes how many Shakespearean scholars do not recognize the same links between Thomas North and the playwright’s “indelible characters” and events. Nevertheless, Blanding emphasized that many of Shakespeare’s characters do not align with his lifetime.

“It is only by interpreting them through source plays written decades earlier,” Blanding said, that their existence can then seem relevant to Shakespeare.

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The cover of “North by Shakespeare: A Rogue Scholar’s Quest for the Truth Behind the Bard’s Work” by Boston-based author Michael Blanding is pictured.

6

THE TUFTS DAILY | Arts & Pop Culture | Monday, April 5, 2021

‘KG0516’ is Karol G’s reclamation of reggaeton

by Maeve Hagerty Assistant Arts Editor

Intense reggaeton rhythms synthesize with calm pop vocals in the newest album by reggaeton’s current queen Karol G. On March 25, the Colombian singer released “KG0516,” a title that commemorates the day her parents first signed her stage name into existence: the genesis of Karol G. Born Carolina Giraldo Navarro in Medellín, Colombia in 1991, she has since risen meteorically to fame as Karol G. As one of the most successful female musicians ever in the reggaeton genre, her newest album embraces this status and dispels some of the stereotypes that often surround women in the music industry and a genre as male-dominated as reggaeton.

“KG0516” begins with a pop-reggaeton fusion in “Déjalos Que Miren,” a love ballad presumably directed at her ex-fiancée Anuel AA, another famous Reggaeton

KAROL G’s album “KG0516” is pictured.

musician. From there, the album quickly evolves into one characterized by female empowerment, which seemingly reflects Karol G’s own journey to the top of the music world.

Throughout the album, Karol G uplifts female voices and artists. In “El Makinon,” she collaborates with Mariah Angeliq, a rising star, in a song that refutes many of the stereotypes for women within the reggaeton genre. Instead of singing about the men they love, Mariah Angeliq and Karol G sing about hanging out with their crew, driving around in Lamborghinis and breaking the law since they were 16 years old. It is clear from the song’s lyrics and music video that Karol G and Mariah Angeliq have thrown convention out the window (presumably, of their Lamborghinis).

Similarly, the song “200 Copas” seems to be a different type of love ballad: a “corrido,” a song for one of Karol G’s friends who she feels is being mistreated by her boyfriend. This song is unique not

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only because of its subject matter, but also because it is the first corrido track by Karol G and solidifies that this album will be a mix of different musical styles.

The popular “Bichota” is confident, sex-empowering and a declaration of Karol G’s independence, strength and femininity in a male-dominated genre.

Notably, the album also includes the monumental “Tusa” with Nicki Minaj, which was a pre-release and has already reached over one billion streams on Spotify. Sampling the song “Beautiful Girls” (2007) by Sean Kingston, “Beautiful Boy” with Ludacris and Emilee is a tender love song with an intimate, soothing melody set under heavy bass and strong rap verses.

The real powerhouses on the album are the songs “Arranca Pal Carajo” with reggaeton stars Juanka and Brray, “Sola Es Mejor” by up-and-coming musical group Yandar & Yostin and “Leyendas” with a whole list of collaborators: Wisin & Yandel, Nicky Jam, Ivy Queen, Zion and Alberto Stylee. “Arranca Pal Carajo” is a reggaeton track simply waiting for clubs and parties to resume so it can become a staple of the late-night scene. “Sola Es Mejor” delivers flowing techno voiceovers that flash through the underlying reggaeton beats.

Even given the brilliance of the rest of the album, “Leyendas” is masterful.

A track that honors and samples the iconic song “Quiero Bailar” (2003) by the “Queen of Reggaeton,” Ivy Queen, the song is both a reaffirmation of women’s influence in the genre and also a sort of passing of the mic from one monarch to their successor. The track swells with 2000s reggaeton rhythms and fuses them flawlessly with a more modern sound.

Each collaborating artist contributes a bombshell verse, one after the other, as the rhythm breaks down into different styles and substances. And, as usual, the contrasting beats and artists are held together by Karol G herself.

“KG0516” is a reclamation of reggaeton, one which proves that there is power in women’s hands within the genre, and celebrates the artists and sounds of the past with twists of Karol G’s unique style.

Each song is special and remarkable in its own way. Overall, the album is a testament to Karol G’s talent and power as a singer.

Virtual technologies of pandemic increase connection for senior citizens ISOLATION

continued from page 4 a walk in the park or such, and it’s also kind of the same way for us students — we’re kind of required to stay in our dorms and quarantine, follow social distancing and COVID-19 protocols,” Ly said.

He also described systemic issues with nursing homes that have been brought to the fore by the pandemic. “[The pandemic] shows that disparities in health care are very real for older adults,” Ly said. “If you have a lot of money you can afford to stay in a very luxurious and nice nursing home and you have access to competent staff members, but if you don’t have that much money then you end up getting placed in … pretty crappy nursing homes. You might end up getting stuck with very incompetent health care workers.”

However, Ly is optimistic about virtual programs such as Zoom in reducing social isolation and providing safe, accessible volunteer opportunities for

those looking to help. Ly predicts such technology might stick around after the pandemic because of its ability to connect volunteers to adults living in remote areas.

Overall, Ly is proud of the work AQA has done and anticipates much more to come.

“I think the pandemic makes us even more passionate about our mission than before,” Ly said. “The term social distancing doesn’t mean social isolation. … With Zoom, all these platforms, we’ve been able to reach out to a lot of older adults and I’m very happy with the direction that AQA is taking.”

Galinsky has come away from this experience with a renewed appreciation for the importance of connection, and sees it as one of the few things we can rely on during times such as these.

“A phone call to an elderly individual [in] your life (whether it be your grandmother or a neighbor) can make an enormous positive impact on their spirits,” Galinsky said. “While there is a lot that cannot be controlled during

the pandemic, we are all capable of developing and maintaining connections with the most vulnerable populations.”

Galinsky has also been thankful for virtual platforms and wants to continue this work but hopes to return to in-person formats once possible.

“My goal, post-COVID, is to initiate a program where Tufts students physically go to local nursing homes or senior communities, pair up with one of the residents, and learn and document their life stories,” Galinsky said.

Zhang sees this focus on quality of life, rather than longevity, as the primary goal for future geriatric health care workers.

“Our predecessors’ work has significantly lengthened the lifespan of the average person, and it is down to us now to care for the wellness of geriatric populations,” Zhang wrote in an email to the Daily. “We also should never overlook the individuality of geriatric patients [or] ignore their unique life perspectives.”

tuftsdaily.com

Derin Savasan Hot Take

‘Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood’ should’ve won Best Picture

2

019 was a great year for film. It gave us “Parasite,” “Marriage Story,” “Jojo Rabbit” and “Little Women,” among others. And while I wanted either of the first two to win Best Picture, I was almost certain that the Oscar would go to “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” — not because it was the best film of the year, but because I (thought) I knew a thing or two about the academy.

Best Picture has always been a wildcard. Not only does it have a different voting system than the other categories (i.e., preferential balloting), but it also allows all members of the academy to vote, unlike specific categories such as Best Director or Best Editing. In other words, you don’t have to be an acclaimed director to vote for Best Picture.

As a result, Best Picture is often awarded to the most politically relevant and popular film of the year — not necessarily the best. This is why we occasionally get Best Picture winners like “Green Book” (2018) and “Crash” (2004). It’s also worth noting that people love watching themselves on the screen, especially those who work in Hollywood. That’s why films like “La La Land” (2016) and “Mank” (2020) score countless nominations, despite their arguably mediocre subject matter.

This is where “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” comes in. Was it the most critically acclaimed film of the year? No. A lot of people liked the film, but not as much as other nominees. But like I said, universal likeability doesn’t matter here because, at the end of the day, it’s Hollywood people who get to pick the winner — not average Joes. Considering that the title of this movie has “Hollywood” in it, I was pretty confident that it would take home the Oscar.

I should also mention that the Oscars love films that feel like old-school Hollywood. “Green Book,” despite not being a great film, felt like an old-school Hollywood road-trip film. The same can be said about “The Shape of Water” (2017), which brought a modern twist to oldschool romance.

“Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” was the most old-school Hollywood film of the bunch. For a lot of people who work and live in LA, this film served as a nostalgia trip that accurately captured the energy of the city. Sure, the runtime was long and the first two acts were slow, but when you’re watching the place you’re from on the big screen, you don’t really care.

Finally, despite creating some of the best films of all time, a Quentin Tarantino film has never won Best Picture. He’s long overdue, and all of Hollywood knows it. Did I think this was the first film he should’ve won for? Absolutely not. But it would’ve made a lot of sense. “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” felt like a culmination of his career.

All and all, “Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood” has this quality where it will make a good amount of people happy and a good amount of people pissed.

Considering that it was Tarantino’s (perhaps last) love letter to Hollywood, it should’ve won the Oscar for Best Picture.

Derin Savasan is a first-year who has not yet declared a major. Derin may be reached at derin.savasan@tufts.edu

THE TUFTS DAILY | Fun & Games | Monday, April 5, 2021

F& G

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7

LATE NIGHT AT THE DAILY Rebecca: “Only hot girls get mono during a pandemic, so”

Fun & Games

SUDOKU

LINDA C. BLACK ASTROLOGY

Aries (Mar. 21–Apr. 19) Leaving is difficult now. A major revelation occurs here. Take new territory. All’s well.

Pass along what you’ve learned. Friends are a big help over the next few days. Celebrate your accomplishments for the next two days.

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Difficulty Level: Scheduling a COVID-19 vaccine appointment.

Friday’s Solutions

CROSSWORD

8 Monday, April 5, 2021

Opinion

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VIEWPOINTS

Don’t exploit vaccine loopholes

by Grace Prendergast and Samantha Wilner

Opinion Editor and Staff Writer

It’s estimated that by the end of 2021, the U.S. could reach herd immunity. Even with the promising news that most Americans will be vaccinated within the next several months, many have raced to find loopholes in order to accelerate this timeline for themselves.

When it comes to vaccine distribution, it seems that some have adopted the mentality that it’s every person for themself — morality is thrown out of the window. Those who have the means to exploit these loopholes are doing everything they can to receive the vaccine before the general public. For these people, it seems that moral gray areas have grown, leading them to make some ethically unsound decisions. How has the last year shaped our ethics?

How has the vaccine distribution underscored this emerging moral groundlessness, and how will it continue to do so? This ethically questionable behavior from those in positions of privilege has exacerbated existing disparities in vaccine rollout.

When he first announced the Commonwealth’s plans for vac-

cine distribution, Gov. Charlie Baker reassured Massachusetts residents that equity would be at the forefront of these plans. The administration had planned that 20% of the vaccine supply would be set aside for the hardest-hit communities when Phase 2 began. This included prisons, homeless shelters and towns that have experienced extensive hardships in the wake of the pandemic.

However, now that we are in Phase 2, it is unclear if this will truly be the case. There are clear disparities between the rate at which populations have received the vaccine; white residents are getting the vaccine at a faster rate than the Commonwealth’s residents of color. As of March 18, 26% of white residents have received at least one dose, compared to 17% of Black residents and 10% of Hispanic residents.

Massachusetts will begin Phase 3 of distribution on April 19, a phase that will include all those over the age of 16 not previously covered in Phases 1 and 2.

Despite the fact that Phase 3 is only a few weeks away, many individuals are rushing to get the vaccine as soon as possible, using their privilege to do so.

This privilege has manifested in a number of ways: First, those who can afford to travel or have their own cars have been driving across state borders in order to get the vaccine. While an individual may not have been eligible in Massachusetts, they may have qualified in a nearby state, prompting them to make the journey.

Second, those with the most privilege are likely undaunted by the potential repercussions of lying in order to get the vaccine. In New York, when scheduling an appointment for the vaccine, one is required to check a box indicating that they “hereby certify under penalty of law that [they] live in New York City or, if [they are] claiming eligibility based on work or employment status, that [they] work in New York City.” For those who feel that they could easily elude legal consequences, the words “under penalty of law” may not prevent them from lying. Given the systemic racism that pervades American legal institutions, this penalty likely holds varying weight for different communities.

Those who have been historically privileged within legal and criminal justice systems — namely, white individuals

JULIA ZWEIFACH / THE TUFTS DAILY

— are less likely to be deterred from bending the rules.

The justification of certain decision-making thrusts many Americans into an ever-expanding moral grey area. In some cases, individuals who qualified to receive the vaccine early are unable to, as outof-state or presently ineligible individuals use up limited supply. Since vaccine rollout varies state by state, the populations who are eligible for the vaccine vary as well.

Even so, individuals who are not considered high risk or do not meet state eligibility requirements still manipulate the system to receive a vaccine early. Justifications vary.

Some may argue that everyone will get vaccinated eventually or that pandemic restrictions have endured for too long, but one truth remains: These justifications exacerbate harmful public health and socioeconomic disparities. Those with access to the internet, a community with a medical presence and the time to search for vaccine appointments are benefitting from an inequitable system. Whether or not these individuals believe their justifications are worthy, their actions reinforce a growing moral grey

area and venture onto ethically tumultuous grounds.

These decisions often elicit judgment from others. There exists a wide spectrum of varying degrees of comfort surrounding which behaviors are acceptable and which aren’t.

Some people have always felt comfortable dining indoors at restaurants, while others have been wary of setting foot in a grocery store.

A similar variation in opinion applies to receiving the vaccine.

Friends and families engage in ongoing conversations about whose justifications for getting the vaccine are valid or who has acted immorally. No matter how our closest social networks may view vaccine loopholes, it is important to acknowledge that individual actions have communal ramifications; the reality is that those with privilege have received the vaccine at higher rates than those without it, and efforts to actively leverage privilege have contributed to these inequities in distribution.

While widespread vaccination is crucial, as rollout proceeds, we must center on ethics and empathy. If you have the privilege to continue to work from home, limit travel. If you don’t possess a pre-existing condition that puts you at greater risk, allow those who don’t have such luxuries to receive the vaccine before you. If you’re able to get a vaccine appointment before your phase begins, try to ensure you’re acting to reduce vaccine waste, and that eligible individuals in the area have been able to secure necessary appointments. If you do receive the vaccine, recognize that it does not mean the pandemic no longer affects you, or that your actions don’t have consequences. It’s vital that vaccinated individuals continue to follow COVID-19 protocols while we await the vaccination of underserved and marginalized populations and the attainment of herd immunity.

We have entered a realm of moral instability over the last year. Despite the difficulty of our circumstances, we should not disregard the moral implications of our choices. While we should collectively work towards herd immunity and eliminate vaccine waste wherever we can, we should first ensure that highly impacted communities are able to receive their vaccinations. This means not getting the vaccine during a phase in which you’re ineligible if sites around you do not have excess supply. With the acknowledgment of existing loopholes, we should recognize that just because you can get vaccinated ahead of schedule does not always mean you should.

Opinion

Monday, April 5, 2021 | Opinion | THE TUFTS DAILY

9

OP-ED

Tufts must adopt an evidence-based, safe and equitable approach to Senior Week and Commencement GRANT GEBETSBERGER, SHARIF HAMIDI AND SARAH WIENER Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Tufts has made the decision to conduct an entirely virtual Senior Week and an entirely virtual university-wide commencement on May 23. While these decisions are obviously understandable, the university’s decision to end COVID-19 surveillance testing and remove seniors from on-campus housing over a week before the May 23 commencement date is not. Its decision seems to be informed by the belief that seniors will act without regard for public health; just as students have been asked to consider community health in their decision-making, the university’s senior leadership must be held to the same standard.

In the absence of an official survey from the university regarding seniors’ plans for commencement, the senior members of TCU Senate responsible for this article conducted one ourselves. Over a third of the entire senior class completed the survey and their responses should be a great cause for alarm to the university.

There are three main reasons that this decision is inequitable, reckless and poses a

Matt Rice The Honeymoon Period

Selling the plan

L

ast week, the White House unveiled the American Jobs Plan, a $2.3 trillion stimulus package meant to bolster America’s infrastructure, manufacturing sector and R&D and workforce development programs. It’s an ambitious framework and it’s more than necessary, but President Joe Biden’s main challenge is selling it to fellow Democrats.

Of the $2.3 trillion, $1.3 trillion will be spent on transportation, building and repairing

threat to our host communities: the disproportionate number of financial aid recipients living in on-campus housing, overwhelming majority of graduating seniors who plan to stay in the area regardless of Tufts’ decision and emotional importance of celebrating the successful completion of an unconventional undergraduate experience.

The decision to not house or test seniors between the end of finals and commencement disproportionately impacts first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students who live on campus.

Given the increased shares of financial aid-receiving students and students of color who live on campus, the decision to close on-campus housing while off-campus students are able to stay in the area is hypocritical and contradicts the university’s stated commitments of anti-racism, equity and inclusion.

Moreover, the university’s claim that ending COVID-19 testing and closing on-campus housing is necessary to protect public health is simply untrue.

The majority of seniors already live off campus and are able to stay in their houses through Senior Week; meanwhile, on-campus seniors may choose to stay in Airbnbs, hotels or with their off-campus friends.

These less-regulated spaces constitute a much more significant threat to public health, and it is disappointing that the university’s leadership — who claim to be operating with public health and safety in mind — are actively facilitating this risk to the Tufts, Medford and Somerville communities.

According to the survey we conducted, over 95% of the seniors who have finalized their post-finals plans intend to stay in the area for Senior Week despite Tufts’ decision to end surveillance testing and close on-campus housing. Fewer than 15% of total seniors remain unsure of their plans. A commanding 98% of respondents agreed that Tufts should continue to provide COVID-19 surveillance testing through May 23. Most powerfully, every single survey respondent indicated their belief that Tufts should allow seniors to remain in their on-campus housing through May 23. Tufts will endanger its youngest alumni and its host communities if it ignores students’ intentions to remain in the Medford and Somerville communities and the student consensus regarding COVID19 surveillance testing and on-campus housing.

The claim that maintaining COVID-19 testing and on-campus housing for just one additional week would incentivize

large gatherings is comparable to the claim that abstinence-only sex education is the best way to limit teenage pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections. Our own Department of Community Health teaches that this logic is inconsistent with public health science — harm reduction measures are effective precisely because they embrace reality. The administration’s hope that all seniors will vacate the area before Commencement is an assumption that is incorrect in light of our survey data and one that ultimately endangers public health.

We chose to attend Tufts to become part of a community — one that lasts for life. As long as a student is matriculated at Tufts, the university is responsible for providing an education and the resources necessary to maintain their physical and mental health, with the tacit understanding that these obligations would end upon Commencement.

Until that time, they continue to be a community member, a status which cannot be revoked by administrative decision. The premature termination of on-campus housing and COVID-19 testing is a violation of the university’s obligations to students. The sheer emotional significance of Commencement necessitates the weighing of com-

peting interests and potential consequences when making decisions such as this one.

At best, Tufts’ decision to end COVID-19 surveillance testing and remove seniors from on-campus housing before virtual Senior Week and Commencement is naïve and unintentionally inequitable. At worst, this same decision willfully deepens socioeconomic inequity and poses a threat to members of the Class of 2021 and the Medford and Somerville communities.

There is still time for the university’s leadership to live up to its stated commitment to evidence-based public health practices in light of students’ concerns and the clear results of our survey. We urge the university to reconsider this decision in a way that preserves public safety and honors students’ voices. We look forward to working with members of the administration should they be willing to do so.

highways, affordable housing and new schools. Investments this large exceed the spending levels of Biden’s former boss by far. This plan, coupled with the American Rescue Plan and other upcoming proposals, even had one writer at the New Yorker wondering aloud if Biden is the second coming of Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Franklin Roosevelt.

Unlike these famous predecessors, however, Biden is going to have a much harder time getting these plans through Congress.

Roosevelt cruelly excluded African Americans from his Social Security program, allowing him to win the support of southern white supremacists in Congress who wanted to redistribute wealth to their poor white constituents and no one else. Thus, with support from progressive reformers and the

ever-powerful white supremacist bloc, Roosevelt got his plan through Congress.

Today, Biden has one of the slimmest Congressional majorities in modern history.The two parties have only become more ideologically consistent, meaning any semblance of bipartisanship is unlikely. This necessitates almost total unity within the Democratic Party, in both houses of Congress. From Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to Sen. Joe Manchin, everyone has to sign off.

Progressives are already saying the plan is too small. Rep. Ocasio-Cortez said it is very “encouraging,” but she and other House progressives are pushing for a much larger package: $10 trillion.

“I know that may be an eye-popping figure for some people, but we need to understand

that we are in a devastating economic moment,” Ocasio-Cortez told Rachel Maddow on MSNBC. “Millions of people in the United States are unemployed. We have a truly crippled health care system and a planetary crisis on our hands, and we’re the wealthiest nation in the history of the world.

So, we can do $10 trillion.”

Meanwhile, conservative House Democrats are moving in the other direction. Reps. Josh Gottheimer, Bill Pascrell and Tom Suozzi explicitly said they will not vote for this infrastructure bill if it does not include a repeal of the cap on the state and local tax deduction. The cap on this deduction particularly impacts wealthy individuals in blue states, where taxes tend to be much higher on income and property. In turn, the repeal of this cap will especially benefit those wealthy individuals.

The median income in Rep. Pascrell’s district is just over $80,000. In Rep. Gottheimer’s suburban New Jersey district, the median income is around $110,000. On Long Island in Rep. Suozzi’s district, the median income is over $125,000.

In the House of Representatives alone, Biden has the challenge of uniting these two groups: the progressives who know at least one trillion dollars annually is necessary, and the suburban moderates who want a massive tax break for their millionaire constituents.

And then he has to get Joe Manchin to support all of it.

Grant Gebetsberger is a senior studying international relations and is the TCU vice president.

Grant can be reached at grant. gebetsberger@tufts.edu. Sharif Hamidi is a senior studying community health and is the TCU treasurer. Sharif can be reached at sharif.hamidi@tufts.edu.

Sarah Wiener is a senior studying philosophy and is TCU president.

Sarah can be reached at sarah. wiener@tufts.edu.

Matt Rice is a senior studying political science.

Matt can be reached at matthew.rice@tufts.edu.

10 Monday, April 5, 2021

SPORTS

tuftsdaily.com

Women’s lacrosse to play 4 games in 2021 regular season LACROSSE

continued from page 1 with the top left corner of the net, going directly over Conn.

College first-year goalkeeper Violette Nidds.

Senior attacker Kirsten Grazewski scored the Jumbos’ next three goals, two of which were on assists by Lawliss, prompting the Jumbos to lead 4–0 just over 15 minutes into the game.

In the first 17 minutes, Tufts attempted 14 shots, five of which were saved by Nidds and five of which were blocked by the Conn. College defense.

According to senior attacker Emily Games, Tufts quickly adjusted to these challenges.

“I think in the beginning, we were struggling a little bit with our shots, and we were able to kind of rearrange that and overcome some of the obstacles we were faced with,” Games said.

Conn. College’s first goal came with 13 minutes and 20 seconds remaining in the first half, as first-year midfielder Julianna Ingrassia scored while surrounded by multiple

Matt Goguen Keeping up with the 617

Don’t count the Celtics out

T

he 2020–21 Boston Celtics epitomize the dullness of this pandemic. Throughout the unorthodox NBA season, the Celtics have looked lethargic and uninspired while losing various star players to avoidable injuries.

Coming in with expectations to make a run to the NBA Finals, the Celtics have been far from a playoff team through most of the season. Defensive breakdowns and poor shot selection headline their laundry list of weaknesses as well as their inconsistent star players.

Currently sitting eighth in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are a “play-in” team rather than a playoff team.

Although they are currently a game and a half above the 10th-seeded Indiana Pacers, the Celtics’ grip on a playoff spot seems to be slipping right before their very eyes; the No. 9 Chicago Bulls recently picked up Nikola Vucevic and are poised to make a playoff push, while the Pacers are actively redeeming their “lost” season. The Celtics have been fortunate enough to not be the eighth seed this late in the season for the last couple of seasons — that has changed. The Boston Celtics fanbase, myself included, has an uneasy feeling about the fate of this Celtics team.

defenders. Ingrassia finished Saturday’s contest leading the Camels with two goals.

Leading 4–1, Tufts went on to score seven more goals in the first half, five of which were made on free-position shots.

Junior midfielder Ananda Kao snuck in a powerful shot off of an assist by Lawliss with 32 seconds remaining in the half, sending the Jumbos into the break with an 11–3 lead.

The Jumbos opened the second half strong, connecting on four goals within the first 10 minutes.

“The first half, even though we were winning, we were sort of in a slower pace,” sophomore midfielder Sami Rothstein said.

“By the second half, we were able to really push and score a lot of goals.”

Tufts allowed two unassisted goals but scored twice more in the second half, sealing the victory with a final score of 17–5.

Eight of Tufts’ total goals were scored on attempted free position shots, four of which were split by Lawliss and junior attacker Colette Smith. Lawliss

I know that I am extremely pessimistic when it comes to any Boston sports team (just read any of my Red Sox articles). However, I truly believe that the Celtics should not be counted out this season — at least not yet. With 22 games remaining, the Cs have the potential to go on a massive winning streak and squeak into a top-four playoff seed; they play a banged-up Charlotte Hornets team twice and the scuffling Minnesota Timberwolves twice. With its relatively easy schedule to wrap up the season, Boston can build up some confidence with a handful of winnable games down the stretch.

Regardless of their light schedule, the Celtics roster is finally reaching some of the potential that NBA pundits raved about in the offseason.

Robert Williams III has ascended into a starting center role and newcomer Evan Fournier has caught fire as of late; Payton Pritchard is ahead of schedule regarding his development and is a key cog on the second unit. Although Jayson Tatum is still feeling the residual effects of his bout with COVID-19, his play has gained some energy over the past few games. Kemba Walker and Marcus Smart are overall having disappointing seasons, but have picked up their play in the past week. All signs point to a positive trend line for this lineup in the last month of the season.

Although the lineup has looked more like a playoff contender as of late, it’s still speculative to say that this team can find themselves

led the team with five goals and nine attempted shots by the end of the game, followed closely by Grazewski and Games who each scored three goals.

In the net, Tufts’ Molly Laliberty — a junior recently named as U.S. Lacrosse’s Div. III Preseason Goalie of the Year — made eight saves on 13 attempted shots on goal. Nidds finished with 13 saves on 30 shots on goal for Connecticut College.

Tufts led its opponent in successful clears with a near-perfect 18–19 display. Seven of the Camels’ clears failed, leading them to perform at 15–24 on clears.

“I think a lot of our deep, defensive players are really solid,” Games said. “[Laliberty] did a great job on the clears and getting them out, whether they were short or far balls.”

Two Jumbos also recorded the first goals of their careers, as Rothstein and first-year attacker Emma Joyce both scored late in the first half on free-position shots.

“That was super exciting, I was really happy,” Rothstein

said. “Hopefully there’s more to come soon.”

The Jumbos started the 2020 season with a promising record of 3–0, but all spring 2020 sports were canceled when the university suspended in-person classes as a response to the COVID19 pandemic.

Since the start of the pandemic, members of the women’s lacrosse team have engaged in a variety of practice regimens to adapt to changing COVID-19 restrictions, including socially distanced practices and small-group training. When the university lifted several restrictions on the Medford/Somerville campus earlier this semester, the team was allowed to practice in contact scrimmages against each other.

On March 9, the NESCAC presidents gave the go-ahead for schools to resume their spring seasons. Tufts decided that it would allow spring competition, while top rivals Amherst, Bowdoin, Middlebury and Williams opted out of play for the semester.

In their shortened conference-only season, the Jumbos are scheduled to play three more games against Colby, Conn. College and Bates. The championship game — which this year will automatically occur between the top two teams in the conference, rather than through a traditional NESCAC tournament — will occur on May 1, provided that the COVID-19 pandemic doesn’t introduce further restrictions.

Saturday’s win places the Jumbos at the top of the NESCAC conference, and with the limited season, every game counts. Given the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic over the past year, the team is grateful to be able to play this season.

“At this point, none of us were expecting to be able to have a season, so anything that we’re given, we’re super grateful for,” Rothstein said. “So even having four games before the playoffs, I know it may seem like not a lot at all, but to us, it’s worth everything.”

COVID-19 AT TUFTS

again and make a surprise run in the playoffs; the team lacks energy and spark during the fourth quarter, which is crucial to becoming a serious playoff team. I still believe they are capable of reaching their full potential and unlocking

an extra gear in the postseason; maybe I’m just a hopeless fan creating dream scenarios, but it’s entirely possible the Celtics can be “good” again — it all depends on if they truly want to reach that nirvana.

Matt Goguen is a sophomore studying biopsychology. Matt can be reached at matthew.goguen@tufts.edu.