Of course, Gen Zs aren’t the only folks who are physically relocating due to COVID-19. Gen Xers and Millennials in their 30s and 40s are returning to their family homes, many with kids in tow, to hunker down with older parents. Hundreds of thousands of urban-dwellers have fled to more rural areas for the perceived safety of wide-open spaces (putting rural hospitals, grocery stores and broadband at risk of total collapse). People who own rental and vacation properties have flocked to these second homes amid bans on short-term rentals. Hell, animals are even reverse-migrating back to their natural habitats now that the tourists are gone (coyotes, bobcats and bears are reclaiming Yosemite National Park, for example).

Young people who want to break into creative fields have typically moved to large urban centers, but there’s some indication that this could change. Older Gen Zs had already been joining Millennials in more affordable mid-tier cities, such as Tucson, AZ; Raleigh, NC; and Columbus, OH — and the pandemic will likely accelerate the pull of smaller metro areas. Many Gen Zs have already fled dense urban coronavirus hot spots, and now wonder if cities are viable long-term — at least without rent stabilization or major downsizing. ​“I’ve been thinking a lot about finances, what spending is necessary, where I can be saving, and what I should cut back on,” said Savanna, 23, who recently fled New York City for her hometown of Minneapolis. ​“I moved to the city to grow, learn and just be independent. I feel like I was forced to take this ginormous step back.”

We could see cities become cultural vacuums after the pandemic, as young people flee to places where life has more ease — and fresh air for social distancing. Already, Gen Zs say suburban sprawl has its appeal compared to a shared micro-apartment with roommates. (Realtors in Boston have already seen an uptick in first-time homebuyers looking to purchase just outside the city.) And who’s to say what will be left of cities after this anyway? New York City is expected to face a revenue shortfall of up to $10 billion, Los Angeles county will lose $1 billion in sales tax revenue this year, and no one knows how many of the small businesses that keep urban life vibrant will shutter. City life may not have the same draw after all of this.

While the coronavirus pandemic is bringing generations together in physical and cultural spaces, it’s also planting seeds for new ideological horizons. 

Gen Zs, along with many of the rest of us, are reexamining America’s foundations right now. ​“Why do I get to have job security while so many others don’t?” asked Courtney, 22. ​“This pandemic is exposing the shortcomings of capitalism. Why are we only discussing adequate healthcare now?” wondered Casper, 19. ​“I’ve been thinking a lot about how everything around us is a construct, as it can clearly easily be put on pause,” said Dana, 22. Many Gen Zs told us they’re seeing America in a whole new light, and it’s not entirely appealing. ​“I definitely don’t view our country the same anymore, and I never will,” said Grace, 20. ​“The pandemic has been humbling. I have definitely come to realize how fragile our social fabric is,” said Andrew, 22.

While Gen Zs were already more socially progressive than older generations — showing up for progressive Democratic primary candidates like Bernie Sanders over centrist Joe Biden — the pandemic seems to be further widening the ideological divide between older and younger Americans. Already-progressive Zs are validated by seeing their hypothetical ideas in action, such as universal basic income (or at least a $1,200 check), especially as GOP lawmakers embrace necessary social safety nets. This pandemic will be formative for all Americans, but especially Gen Zs.

Expect COVID-19 to radicalize Gen Z, similarly to how the Vietnam War accelerated the hippie counterculture. ​“I believe my generation is the generation of a revolution,” said Grace, 20, adding, ​“I don’t know how much longer society will stand the way it is.” Many Gen Zs say they’re rethinking their personal responsibility in galvanizing social change, and they’re asking themselves very real questions about what it looks like to mobilize (since taking to the streets will have to wait). ​“What is our next step in trying to solve this?” asked Sally, 16. ​“How can I make a difference?” asked William, 19. Meanwhile, Ashlee, 17, wondered, ​“How can I positively impact other people’s lives?”

Some Gen Zs are already reorganizing their futures based on what they’ve learned about society over the last several weeks. ​“The pandemic has changed my point of view in so many ways. Now, I just want to help people in need and I hope to do that as soon as possible,” said Tessa, 18. Maddie, 17, said the pandemic has reshaped her career ambitions entirely. ​“I’ve realized I need to do my part to help others, whether that means becoming a lawyer or joining the Peace Corps,” she told us.

If there’s any silver lining at all that comes out of this pandemic, it’s that Gen Zs are starting to reframe their ideologies around what will make the world a better place, for everyone. Gen Zs could play a major role in pushing through sweeping policy change, from universal basic income to Medicare for All — hell, Zs might even put an end to anti-vaxxers. Lilian, 16, is already bracing herself for the ideological and political battles to come: ​“I hope that I can step up and fight to make things better not only for our lives, but for future generations.”