I’ve been reading a lot of fairy tales lately, mostly from the Grimm brothers. One of the stories I’ve read is “Beauty and the Beast.” A few years ago, I was listening to an audiobook of fairy tales and came across many versions of this story. Though they varied a little, they all included the similar plot of a girl going to live with a beast who is cursed to live alone for many years. She breaks that curse through love and hope. It’s a story I grew up with, but recently, it has taken on another meaning for me. 

The world’s expectations for Generation Z are high. Generation Z has expressed strong support for social causes as well as a salient desire to learn and grow. COVID-19 threw a wrench in these expectations – isolation serving as a damper on our big dreams. Similarly to the Beast in “Beauty and the Beast,” our society went from social activities to social distancing seemingly overnight. It is lonely, and, frankly, incredibly scary. It’s difficult to live in constant fear that someone you know or love might catch this deadly virus.

COVID-19 affects Generation Z in a unique way. The kids in this generation are just that: kids, the oldest of which would have graduated from college in 2020. And while kids are unlikely to experience severe symptoms of COVID-19, we’re often surrounded by adults who can. 

As someone whose medical track record isn’t spotless, I worry about catching COVID-19 myself. But the idea of someone I’m close to dying is far scarier. People joke about catching COVID-19 whenever someone sneezes or coughs, but the risk is very real. It’s terrifying not knowing.

During traumatic times, I often seek solace in spending time with those I love, but I can’t see my friends and many of my family members in person right now. I rely heavily on texting and social media, as well as the occasional FaceTime or Zoom call, to communicate with them, but it’s just not the same.

Generation Z grew up with the internet and social media. And while social media can be a positive place and a great way to connect with friends and family, there are also many negative aspects. Social media also has become a common place for cyber bullying and constant comparison, which can deteriorate one’s self esteem. COVID-19 makes it difficult to communicate in person, and social media is one of the few ways we are still able to connect with each other. While it’s good that people are still able to communicate, it seems almost inevitable that our mental health might deteriorate further. 

Like “Beauty and the Beast,” though, there is still hope. The COVID-19 Vaccine is beginning distribution, and while the shadow of COVID-19 is unlikely to disappear entirely, I believe that we as a society will be able to push through it together. One of mankind’s greatest attributes is the ability to get strength from optimism. And, like reading a fairy tale, there is always the possibility that better things will come with each turn of the page.