During the Covid-19 pandemic, social distancing and isolation became moral imperatives, leaving many young people, including the author, feeling profoundly lonely. Despite returning to in-person schooling, the enforced separation and mask-wearing hindered meaningful social interactions and created feelings of guilt for desiring companionship. Five years after the lockdowns, the long-term effects on the author's generation reveal increased social isolation and depressive symptoms among young adults. The pandemic's impact on adolescence, a critical period for identity formation, has left many feeling disconnected from their peers and uncertain about their personal development. Books like J.D. Salinger's 'Franny and Zooey' provided solace and reflection, emphasizing the importance of maintaining human connections despite the challenges posed by the pandemic.

The author's college visit in the spring of 2021 highlights a stark contrast between the lively, music-filled campus environment and the desolate, security-monitored campuses of the early pandemic days. This shift underscores the profound changes in social dynamics over the course of the pandemic.

During the pandemic, schools implemented strict social distancing measures, with students sitting alone or at a distance during lunch and classes, leading to feelings of isolation despite being physically present at school.

The narrative reveals the emotional impact of the pandemic on adolescents, who, amid social distancing, were deprived of critical peer interactions essential for identity formation and emotional support, thus feeling more isolated and disconnected.

A Harvard Kennedy School poll from 2025 indicates that young Americans, particularly those who were entering high school or college during the lockdowns, continue to experience high levels of social isolation and depressive symptoms, reflecting the enduring effects of the pandemic on social well-being.

The author reflects on the support from family and the challenges of remote schooling, noting the difficulty in maintaining genuine connections through digital means, which felt distant and unfulfilling compared to face-to-face interactions.

Literary works such as 'Franny and Zooey' offered comfort and insight during the pandemic, with the author finding parallels in the characters' struggles and using the book as a reminder of the importance of staying connected to humanity and not succumbing to isolation.

The pandemic experience has left the author contemplating what aspects of adolescence were missed, as the prolonged isolation altered the typical developmental path and social experiences crucial for young people's growth into adulthood.