I would not be surprised if Groton’s head has had more than a year, and hundreds, if not thousands, of pieces of unsolicited “feedback” most of which was probably unhelpful. I can only imagine the stress he’s under. He is a smart man. He’s not winging it. He is listening to public health experts.
I have zero knowledge or connection to Groton, but I will eat my hat if I’m wrong about what I’ve written.