June 16, 2021
By Jake McCann
Staff Writer
The pandemic has caused all people, including children, to suffer. Remote learning has been difficult for students whose homes are not a suitable learning environment. Absences have doubled since the start of the pandemic, more kids got F’s in the first semester or marking period of the school year than ever and mental health issues including depression, stress and anxiety are on the rise.
2020 and 2021 have undoubtedly been challenging. That said, Gen Z is a strong, determined and empathetic group that will recover from the adversity they have faced.
Although the pandemic has brought hardship, it has also led to positive changes for some people. While some have realized online school is not for them, others see it as beneficial and productive. In fact, these students may even consider pursuing Virtual High School classes or enrolling in online college courses in the future. Particularly for college students who need to save money or maintain a job, online classes are advantageous because they allow for more flexibility in scheduling, do not require commuting and do not necessitate dorming. Furthermore, online learning can help prepare students for future jobs where they will be working from home.
Some believe that living through the COVID-19 era will actually make Gen-Zr’s stronger. According to a report from CNBC, Gen Z will be more frugal, careful and open to new career options compared to previous generations.
History has revealed that the comeback is always stronger than the fall. For instance, after the Great Depression, stocks rose, roads and railways were fixed and items like refrigerators and washing machines began being mass produced. Innovation and invention is sure to come in the aftermath of the pandemic, and Gen Z will be part of making those improvements in the economy and quality of life.
Covid-19 has reminded us about a lot of positive things that we may have been taking for granted such as the importance of family. Staying at home has helped people build stronger relationships with their family members. Spending time together has caused families to reminisce about the good times when things were normal. A happy home life is also important because it leads to improved academic outcomes and better mental health among children.
Being stuck at home also taught people to enjoy the little things in life. Prior to the pandemic, some people didn’t appreciate going to school or work. Yet they were miserable without it, so things like board games and going out for a walk or run became treasured distractions.
History has revealed that the comeback is always stronger than the fall.
The pandemic has opened people’s eyes to the fact that they may not have been as independent as they thought they were. During quarantine, people had to learn how to communicate and reach out for help. This has given a lot more people the confidence to finally speak up for themselves and one day help someone else who is in the same position they were in.
Finally, the pandemic caused people to come together. There is always going to be fighting and conflict in the world, but for a short time during the height of the pandemic, people truly supported and were kind to one another, which was a beautiful thing.
“Hard times create strong men, strong men create good times, good times create weak men, and weak men create hard times,” according to American novelist G. Mchael Hopf. This quote is so powerful because it is true. Despite setbacks during the pandemic, Gen Z will prevail and leave a legacy as a kind, compassionate and successful generation of people.
