Boston’s nonprofit and cultural institutions are major players in the region’s civic and economic lives. And if the aquarium is any example, the hit from the shutdown will be immense: $10 million in lost revenues if the aquarium remains shuttered for three months. If there is a silver lining to COVID-19, Spruill thinks it’s that it will spur everyone to prepare for other existential threats rather than hope they never happen — such as protecting Boston from rising sea levels.
“This has been a reality check for all of us about the vulnerability of our planet, our systems, and ourselves.”
Vikki Spruill
New England Aquarium
