A semester unlike any we’ve ever seen is now underway. MIT has a relatively fortunate position in the pandemic landscape. We have expertise and resources others do not. One crucial advantage: a capacity for testing.

The IDSS Covid-19 Collaboration (Isolat) has brought unique insight to bear on many aspects of the current crisis, especially the challenges of Covid testing strategy. Isolat research informed MIT re-opening policy by providing systems thinking and analysis of data associated with the pandemic. Isolat research has been shared with other colleges and local governments, and Isolat has made public a memo on testing strategies, a Covid predictions dashboard, and a tutorial on epidemic modeling and estimation.

As we continue to adapt, Isolat efforts enter a new phase. Our regular meetings will no longer take place, but research projects continue in new forms. Isolat research has attracted collaborators from around the world; our latest alliance member CIMIT has teamed up with IDSS through an NIH-backed initiative to build a tool that will help organizations make better Covid-19 testing decisions.

Next spring, we plan to host an event to look back on the impact of Isolat and other pandemic research over the year, and to share more about where it is leading. We have scheduled this for April 30th. With luck, our situation will by then be much improved.

See below for news, other Covid perspectives (wear a mask!) and a look at how we’re supporting data science education through education partnerships.

It promises to be a challenging few months ahead. Stay safe, and take care.

Munther Dahleh, Director

William A. Coolidge Professor, Electrical Engineering and Computer Science

The IDSS Covid-19 Collaboration (Isolat) provides analysis of data associated with the Covid-19 pandemic to inform policy makers.