COVID-NineTeenager
What will today’s teens remember ten or twenty years from now when they think back on their childhood, and specifically the year that was 2020?
I have three kids between the ages of 12 and 15 so this question has been on my mind this week. Each day brings another flood of misery in the news, dire warnings on social media, and a stricter set of restrictions on their movements and interactions here at home (we moved on quickly from “simple” social distancing and are essentially in lockdown mode now). One day they were immersed in their daily routine of school, sports practices & tournaments, hanging out with friends and eagerly anticipating spring break. Now the sports are gone, friends are off-limits and they don’t know if they are going back to school this year. This is going to be an event they remember. While reports that the virus is typically mild in young people provide some comfort and help keep panic at bay, kids fundamentally understand that things are not normal right now.
Older kids in grade 12 are having their graduations yanked from under them and plans for their future thrown in turmoil. Older teens in first year university or first jobs are facing the unknown amidst unbelievable disruption. We all are of course, and against the backdrop of impending mass deaths a foregone grad ceremony seems of little importance, but it is useful for we adults to remember that these are…
