scorecardFrom Gen Z spring breakers to toilet paper-hoarding boomers, the coronavirus pandemic is a case study in generational differences. Here's how each generation is dealing with it.
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From Gen Z spring breakers to toilet paper-hoarding boomers, the coronavirus pandemic is a case study in generational differences. Here's how each generation is dealing with it.

Gen Z has been busy partying it up on spring break, ignoring coronavirus warnings.

From Gen Z spring breakers to toilet paper-hoarding boomers, the coronavirus pandemic is a case study in generational differences. Here's how each generation is dealing with it.

Meanwhile, many millennials are staying inside and urging their parents to do the same.

Meanwhile, many millennials are staying inside and urging their parents to do the same.

"Millennials are not partying," tweeted National Review reporter Mairead McArdle. "We and our anxiety issues are holed up working from home, watching Hulu, and yelling at our parents not to go outside."

The coronavirus pandemic is forcing many millennials to reckon with the fact that their parents are aging and could be considered at-risk individuals. Several told Business Insider's Hayley Peterson they are worried about their parents' health, voicing frustration in trying to convince them to stay inside.

Like Gen Z, millennials are also turning to memes as a coping device during the pandemic — like taking to Twitter to make fun of hoarding boomers.

"As we've adjusted to this strange new reality, in which many of us might not be allowed to leave our homes for weeks, we've channeled our anxieties over COVID-19 into classic internet humor," Aja Romano wrote for Vox.

But on a more serious note, millennials are being more watchful of their money. While those of all generations are concerned about the financial effects of the coronavirus, "millennials' behavior is changing more dramatically than any other generation," Greg Petro, CEO of retail analytics company First Insight, told CNBC's Lauren Thomas. "They are going to cut their spending."

Gen X's risk-averse upbringing has made them well-equipped to handle the pandemic.

Gen X

"As the generation raised in the age of stranger danger and Just Say No, our inherent risk aversion is finally being recognized as a great strength and asset to the survival of the species," wrote Megan Gerhardt, professor of leadership and management at Miami University, in an opinion piece for NBC News.

Her generation, she said, has taken to Twitter to proclaim how they were made to handle this crisis.

"We survived Reagan, the crack epidemic, the AIDS epidemic, the War on Drugs, mass incarceration, the S&L collapse all the while living on nothing but PB&J and ennui," tweeted Daryl Sturgis. "The other generations should follow our lead on this one."

Gerhardt wrote that Gen X is well-equipped for the pandemic for three reasons: They've had experience riding out the historic crises mentioned above; weren't raised with the overscheduled life of millennials, which has left millennials feeling directionless in a pandemic; and are well-incentivized to stay home to serve as a role model for the parents and children they're caring for.

"Generational identity and life stage are both contributing to how we are reacting to our current reality," Gerhardt wrote.

Baby boomers are trying to socialize with their friends and hoard supplies.

Baby boomers are trying to socialize with their friends and hoard supplies.

Some baby boomers have been busy trying to socialize with their friends — at least according to their children.

Jared, 31, told Peterson: "Literally was fighting with my mom this morning about her a) going to Atlantic City last weekend; b) going to another casino via bus this weekend; and c) a cruise in April she refuses to cancel."

Alessandra, 32, also told Peterson her 67-year-old mother, who lives in a golf community in Florida, had refused to cancel trivia plans with 300 of her friends who had all traveled outside the US within the last three months.

The thing is, boomers just don't feel the age that they actually are. "Naturally, some boomer parents are bristling a bit, despite all of the expressions of love and concern," Kathleen A. Hughes, a 64-year-old, wrote for The Wall Street Journal. "They are bristling both at the idea that they are elderly and at the fact their offspring are suddenly telling them what to do."

The coronavirus outbreak has prompted many people to unnecessarily stock up on goods. Boomers in particular have been panic buying toilet paper and hoarding other supplies, despite governments and suppliers warning people not to do exactly that.

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