The COVID generation has been the most resilient in recent political memory.
Let’s move beyond artificial labels like ‘Gen Z’ or ‘Millennials’. An entire generation—especially the young—has been shaped by the unprecedented and intense two – three year period that left a lasting impact on everyone’s lives.While we might want to forget the toll of endless lockdowns and COVID—whether it was; loneliness, difficulty in adapting, deaths, uncertainty, or the strain on mental health. These experiences are, unfortunately, inescapable. One might say this discussion is premature, that it’s too soon to fully understand the effects of lockdown and COVID on society. My lockdown experiences could even cloud my analysis. However, I hope this article sparks further dialogue on the topic.
Changing education
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, education was largely centered around traditional classroom settings and formal institutions. Online learning existed but was often viewed as a second choice, or less credible to in-person education. Coursera (an online course provider founded in 2012) was growing but had not yet reached its mainstream potential.
The pandemic underscored the need for continuous learning. Coursera saw a 640 percent enrollment surge, democratising education whilst highlighting the potential of online education. Amazon would also exhibit the importance of adapting when it invested $700 million to upskill 100,000 employees by 2025. By promoting adaptation and innovation, the COVID generation can ensure society is agile and equipped for future adversities.
Empathy and social justice
Issues of social justice and inequality were already present before COVID-19, but they often struggled to maintain widespread, sustained attention. The Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, for instance, began in 2013, but it didn’t gain significant traction until the pandemic amplified social inequalities, spurring Black Lives Matter, after the murder of George Floyd by a US police officer in 2020. The murder sparked debates on police violence and discrimination faced by minority groups.
Black Lives Matter conducted protests all across the United States and across the world. Companies like NASCAR boldly banned confederate flags from their events in June 2020. A united COVID generation was driven for social change like never before. Because COVID effects were universal and international, the COVID Generation were united in their compassion and empathy toward others’ hardships.
By championing social justice, advocating for equal opportunities, and ensuring that marginalised voices are heard, the COVID Generation can create a fairer and more empathetic future.
International cooperation
Whilst the pandemic did not eradicate existing geo-political tensions or conflicting national interests, the pandemic helped ease the frequent difficulties in achieving consensus. The COVID Generation witnessed the power of global collaboration, with 150 vaccines developed worldwide in a year and climate action pledges from nearly 200 countries at COP26. We must continue to enhance global ties and advocate for collaborative solutions.
Scientific Innovation
Before the pandemic, scientific innovation in healthcare and technology was advancing steadily, but at a relatively slow pace compared to what we saw during COVID-19. For example, Telemedicine (healthcare aided by electronic information and communications technology) was used primarily in specific situations or rural areas where in-person visits were challenging. The concept of widespread remote work existed but was not expected, with most companies favouring in-office work for better collaboration and supervision.
The pandemic accelerated scientific innovation, notably in telemedicine and remote work. Telemedicine usage surged 38 times, and Zoom’s daily users jumped from 10 million to 300 million. The rapid global vaccine rollout, with over 150 vaccines tested within a year, exemplifies innovation during an international health crisis. These advances underscore the importance of the COVID generation’s continued investment in healthcare and technology to build a more resilient and equitable future.
Flexibility in the workforce
During the 2010s, the concept of flexible work arrangements was starting to gain popularity but still needed to become mainstream and reach an optional status. In April 2020, at the beginning of the pandemic, a little under half of the UK workforce was working from home, a significant increase from just 5.1% in 2019. Flexibility in work habits became a necessity rather than an option, and an entire generation of workers has adapted to these new working conditions.
Many argue that this shift has led to greater efficiency and benefits for employees. Working from home is not just a passing trend; it’s a practice that continues today and is likely to persist for decades.
Featured Image Credit: Polina Tankilevitch via Pexels
I am a third-year Politics and Journalism Studies student at the University of Stirling (2022-) and a writer and sub-editor for the Brig for over a year (Nov. 2023-), focusing mainly on political topics.
