This Covid surge is like that ad for Jaws 2 with that bumpa, bumpa, bumpa music in the background -- and the guy would say, "Just when you thought it was safe to go back in the water."
We boomers and beyond will not be taking the rap for this one.
As I said in the intro I wrote for the Op-Ed piece that started this thread, I have friends who are heartbroken because their adult children refuse to get the vaccine, not to protect themselves and not even to protect their own children by adding a layer of protection for them, and not to protect their own parents. And the parents, our age, are left feeling, "So. What am I? Chopped liver?"
Yes. They try hard to accept what their kids are saying and doing. But this one is beyond just disagreement. This one is skewing family relationships.
At first I thought about what could be the common denominator affecting the boomer-spawn that is making them act this way. But then I came to the conclusion that it's a spectrum -- a range of reasons.
I think the fact that the boomers' offspring were early adapters to screens is a factor.
I remember a study when they were children that said they were far more influenced by their friends than by their parents. Of course, now their friends, or pretend friends, are available 24/7 online.
Or is it because of that everybody gets a trophy routine that made them think they were the center of the universe?
What is it?
Our little family is all vaccinated and as completely mystified as I am by the behavior of some of those around us -- well, not so much around us for now -- we are avoiding them -- and I don't like doing that.
We are living our lives, not huddled in our houses, but it bothers me to make my world smaller. But I do.
I hope this will not turn into a link-fest. Families and friendships are hurting. Any thoughts on generational influences? I know the boomer-offspring are not any smarter than us -- well, except for that thing about not wanting china or silver or crystal. That's pretty smart.
Boomer
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