How will the coronavirus pandemic shape Gen Z? University students share their thoughts

Each generation can point to a shared experience as children and young adults that shaped their collective view of the world.

The Greatest Generation endured the Great Depression and fought in World War II, creating a generation fixated on thriftiness and patriotism. Baby boomers experienced the Vietnam war and Watergate, fostering young people who rejected the very institutions that raised them. Millennials saw the collapse of the Twin Towers on 9/11, shocking a generation into the realization of how dark the world can be.

For my generation, Gen Z, the COVID-19 pandemic will leave a scar on us. The question is how will it shape our view of the world?

At BridgeUSA, the leading multi-partisan discussion group on college campuses, our goal is to empower college students to use their voices effectively and to lift up their ideas. Students from across the nation share how the pandemic is affecting us, the future of America:

How do you think the pandemic will change our society?

When the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks took place, I was just a baby. Having been barely old enough to keep my head up, I don't remember any of it. The people in my life, however, recount the events as if they were yesterday. Growing up in New Jersey meant that almost everyone around me knew someone involved. This really shook me to my core as a kid. What shook me even more, though, was how they'd talk about the aftermath. My mom said that in the weeks following the attacks, everyone was kinder to each other. The most notable thing though was, that after a couple of weeks, it all just stopped. People fell back into their routines and lost sight of community.

Share your coronavirus story: Contact USA TODAY Opinion's hotline to share your experiences and leave messages for front-line workers and others.

I don't think the same thing will happen after COVID-19. Because this pandemic is so widespread, it will impact everyone. In our communities, I picture people holding the door for each other as they head to their favorite restaurants after months of self isolation. I picture this to be the way things are for a long time. I took socializing and affection for granted before this outbreak began, and I'm sure I'm not the only one. I think once we all finally have the chance to be together again, we won't pass it up so easily.

— Molly Ahern, freshman at the University of Rhode Island

As grateful and sympathetic as we are and should continue to be to our military servicemen and women, we unfortunately do not express the same patriotic spirit and love for our health care servicemen and women. We ask our veterans if they served in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kuwait or Vietnam. We will soon ask if our nurses served during the pandemic of '20 and offer the same thanks to them as we do our military servicemen and women.

— Samuel Foer, senior at the University of Rhode Island

I think this pandemic will bring a surge of appreciation and enjoyment for life when all is over. We tend to appreciate things more than we did before when we lose something from it — a family member or friend, our social outlet, our daily routine, and maybe even ourselves. People will go out and party with friends, go to more sporting events, attend more concerts, and so much more.

— Jakob Moberly, sophomore at the University of Kansas

I’m interested to see how the crisis will affect our domestic trend toward populism. The $2 trillion federal stimulus package offers an initial safety net for all Americans, helping to cover essential costs of living, although it is uncertain whether it will succeed in reviving the broader economy. Deep recessions inflame class and culture-based tension and civic unrest. If working-class Americans are left out in the cold this time around, we are going to see activist movements that dwarf that of the Tea Party and Occupy Wall Street. This stimulus appears to take care of the working class for the short term, but if the virus continues to drag on, things could get out of hand.

— Kyle Taylor, junior at the University of California, Berkeley

History reminds us of the need to come together as a people to overcome our differences in search of community and progress. While the pandemic has taken its toll on humanity, it also offers us glimpses into our failures, insight into the many problems that still need to be addressed, and a warning to correct course. As the CEO of BridgeUSA, I believe we have a unique opportunity to recognize the common purpose that binds us together and to act on that purpose in search of durable solutions to our many problems. BridgeUSA is building a movement of young people who rise above polarization to fight for a more empathetic and hopeful politics. We will continue to find ways to show the world glimmers of hope, kindness and humor in what is a difficult time for our world. In these moments of pessimism and despair, we must shine a light on positivity and optimism.

— Manu Meel, senior at the University of California, Berkeley

Because of the changes caused by COVID-19, I've seen people at my college band together to overcome the challenges we face. This is what I hope we see on a larger scale. I hope the American public will come together and embrace their diversity to overcome this obstacle we all are facing together. Our nation was built by people who took initiative to make change and create a better life for themselves and their communities. I think that we have been presented with an opportunity to embrace that spirit once more.

— Trevor Lane, second year at Linn-Benton Community College

What concerns do you have as the pandemic spreads?

My greatest concern relates to my brother being a paramedic and still living at home. After every shift, he comes in and tells us whether he thinks he was exposed to the virus, and my mom and I hold our breath as a million questions run through our heads. As cases in Arizona continue to grow, should we, or my brother, temporarily relocate to protect our family? This is a question other health care workers and their families are having to consider and, in a time when community is already scarce, I am concerned about the potential societal impact from these individuals self-isolating from their families. In this unprecedented time, health care workers are having to use their best judgment not only in regard to crafting treatment plans, but also in terms of how to serve the public and protect their family.

— Emily Garcia, sophomore at Arizona State University

The longer the pandemic goes on, the higher the likelihood of mass public backlash. Even after the spread of the virus slows, many people will still have no income. If there is no more direct cash flow to citizens and the pandemic continues to shut down people's jobs for another couple of months, it is likely that riots and looting will happen in cities across the country. This recession could spawn a general resentment against the government's lockdown measures, leading to the looting of all kinds of stores and riots on city-wide scales. Hopefully this doesn't happen, but it remains a possibility.

— Nate Belcher, sophomore at Arizona State University

As a senior preparing to graduate, I am concerned by what this pandemic will mean for my future. Jobs and opportunities for thousands of soon-to-be graduates have disappeared in a matter of weeks. Last week, I received news that I was granted a Fulbright award to teach English in South Korea. Upon hearing the news, I was thrilled that all of my hard work had finally paid off and that I would get the opportunity of a lifetime. However, after my immediate excitement had passed, I was consumed by questions of what will happen to this year-long grant. If things don’t get better, will they postpone the July departure date or cancel the trip entirely?

Yet, I have found solace in the realization that I am not alone. Thousands of seniors across the country face similar circumstances. For all of us, the coming months will be a difficult time as we figure out what we will do when this is all over. I’m not sure what the future holds, but I hope we find a way to move on with our lives.

— Justin Heywood, senior at Arizona State University

Humans crave community; how are you maintaining yours in isolation?

In a time like this, the best thing anyone can do is turn to those in their community. The use of technology has become such a great tool to engage with those around us. It is important that we take care of one another, even through a video chat, and check on those in need. This is a time to be creative and reach out to those around us; we are all struggling during this time and even a call just to say “I see you and I am here for you” makes all the difference. We are all in this together and it is important we remember that.

— Makenzie Tyson, freshman at Arizona State University

One of the best parts of isolating for me has been being home with my family. Having been away at college for almost three years, I have missed all of this quality time with my family and enjoyed family movie or game nights. Additionally, every day I try to talk to at least one of my friends through Facetime. Modern technology has made self-isolating much easier. I can now chat, play online games or even have a "Netflix Party" with my friends while still staying safe from exposure. Little things like that can really help make you still feel connected while so far away from the people you love.

— Loren Curry, junior at the University of California, Berkeley

Amanda Shafer is executive director of BridgeUSA Institute and a junior at the University of California, Berkeley.

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Coronavirus pandemic may forever shape how Gen Z views the world