“Our data-driven response to the evolving public health situation requires continued vigilance, responsible behavior by all members of the community, and a whole lot of dumb luck,” wrote task force co-chair Eric Estes in the statement. “Nothing is perfectly safe, but we can take reasonable science-based precautions and then pray to whatever higher beings are out there to mitigate the risks as much as possible.”

“We know that Brown is a community that cares deeply about taking the proper precautions,” Estes elaborated, emphasizing the importance of individual behavior and random chance to the success of reopening. “That sense of care — along with four-leaf clovers, knocking on wood, rabbits’ feet, and a wish on a shooting star — will get us through this.”

Estes concluded by emphasizing that all Brown community members must do their part to avoid gathering in large crowds and crossing paths with black cats.