The Dumpster Fire of the Last Two Years

Source: Getty Images

As a member of the high school graduating Class of 2020, one could not believe that things could get worse for our class after senior year. Obviously, we were mistaken, as our college freshman year was completely robbed from us as well. 

Now, the end of the pandemic is in sight. Just as the two year anniversary of March 13 – or “the day the world shut down” – approached, the entire world seemed to give up on COVID-19. At least in the northeastern United States, this was seen through the lifting of mask mandates, the abolishment of the use of vaccines cards and the choice by many to refrain from socially distancing. 

This year has marked the first time in my college experience where I was able to actually meet with my professors and connect with my classmates. Last year, COVID restrictions prevented us from having friends in our dorm rooms, even with masks on. Now, I am walking to and from classes with familiar faces and even getting to meet with friends in the dining hall. 

While all of this has been absolutely amazing, I still wonder: what happened to the pandemic that was still around last month? According to The New York Times, COVID-19 cases have almost quadrupled from January 2021 to January 2022. On January 1, 2021, there were 297 new cases and the 7 day average was 180 cases. However, on January 1, 2022, there were 838 new cases in the United States with a weekly average of 576 cases. I find it very hard to believe that while the cases were extremely elevated compared to the previous year, the mandates and rules were still lifted around the same time. 

Let me preface this with the fact that I am so eternally grateful for all the efforts that society has put into reaching this point. However, was it not strange to anyone else that upon its two year anniversary, everyone began to pretend that everything was suddenly back to normal and we had not collectively experienced a pandemic? 

But, let’s flash back a few years. We have had killer bees, Ebola scares, infectious mosquitos and the thought that 2012 was going to be the end of the world. Through everything that is thrown our way, though, the world has survived. 

It is just astonishing to see how we can never catch a break or have a relaxing moment, with one crisis seemingly following the next.. Especially for Millenials and Gen-Z, being born amidst 9/11 set the tone of our lives. How many life-changing global events can possibly happen in the span of an 18 year old’s life? 

Another huge change since our generations have grown is the usage of social media, which has changed our lives itself. 20 years ago, iPhones didn't exist, let alone Tik Tok. Still, we were forced to learn and adapt to all the new forms of media and communication in order to keep up with society. 

All of these situations are not one giant complaint. Yet, I do see a correlation between the mental health of our generations and all of the impactful events that have occurred over the last two decades. We were raised in what I like to call a “global dumpster fire,” especially in regards to the last two years. Of course we are going to struggle with anxiety and depression when all we know is constant struggle and pain. “Gen-Z adults, those ages 18 to 23, reported the highest levels of stress compared to other generations and were the most likely age group to report symptoms of depression, according to the APA's 2020 Stress in America survey.” During the pandemic, the numbers stretched up to 7 out of 10 people in Gen-Z that reported high levels of depression.

That being said, our generation is still one of the most privileged groups of people to exist, so take the term “constant struggle and pain” with a grain of salt. 

My final question is: how do we make things different? Are we able to make things different, even though we lack control over all the good and bad that happens in the world? 

Something important to note, however, is how we treat those around us. There is always something new going on in the world, something like a pandemic that no one can change, so use discretion when judging others. While we can’t control everything around us, we can control how we respond and how we treat others.