Retailers like Walmart, Target, and Amazon roll out bleak 'ready for school' campaigns as debate continues over whether children will return to school in person this fall

At first glance, Old Navy's latest commercial seems like any traditional back to school campaign you'd see during pre-pandemic days, with images of mask-less children playing patty cake and running down hallways.

Halfway through, however, we see children participating in what appears to be a Zoom classroom, and suddenly masked kids start appearing on skateboards and signing hearts. A true back to school ad for the pandemic ages.

Walmart's latest back to school campaign — which includes an ad for elementary-aged children and another for college students — shows the retailer is as uncertain about the fate of back to school as the rest of America.

In a series of rotating images, Walmart depicts various students first from within school buildings and then again from their homes, conducting science experiments and reciting presentations remotely.

"Whether you're learning at school or at home, save on what you need, and get it any way you want," a caption reads as "Get Ready" by the Temptations plays in the background.

Amazon may be the only ad thus far that nods to the stress and anxiety of American parents impossibly trying to balance their careers with childcare and homeschooling during a pandemic.

"This year, we're going to solve quadratic equations," an enthusiastic child proclaims at the start of the ad before the camera pans out to capture the fatigued face of his father.

Target makes a cheeky play at "home room" with an adthat nods knowingly to the fact that for many Americans, classes will now be held at home. The commercial features various forms of technology used for virtual learning, including a laptop and iPad, before stating "Get ready for school at Target."

American Eagle's latest campaign boasts a new collection of jeans designed for max-comfort in a time when Americans are looking to be as comfortable as possible. It's a stretch, given denim sales across the board are on the decline, but also confusing is the fact that it appears none of these teens are actually studying, but instead spending their days filming TikTok videos, but we'll let you be the judge.

For the college students who are trading in campus for childhood bedrooms, Bed Bath & Beyond launched a new campaign intended to help those stuck at home transform their space into a dorm.

"Shopping for and decorating a dorm room is a rite of passage for college-bound students and College from Home provides inspiration to design a stylish and functional bedroom that feels like college," Bed Bath & Beyond said in a statement about the campaign.