W2WFall2021 - 15

And overall, Luke's grades were fine throughout, and he leaned
harder on social media to stay connected. Might I have asked him
to put away the phone more often in " normal " times? Yes. But we
both learned we could adapt to the changing circumstances and
still succeed. I think it was good for Luke - whose personality
tends to avoid change - to see that it's not as scary as he might
have thought.
As one of the youngest age cohorts coping with the pandemic (the
oldest of which is 23 and the youngest is just 8), the concerns of
Gen Z are a bit different. Luke has never seemed worried about his
own health. That's to be expected - the young feel invincible. But
I was surprised to learn that he worried a lot about us and other
older relatives. This concern helped him take social distancing
guidelines and stay-at-home orders more seriously.
How will the social, economic, and political changes that result
from the pandemic affect the future of our kids - and Luke?
We may not have a clear understanding of the long-term
consequences for years to come, but looking at how past events
have affected previous generations may provide some clues.
Just as the Great Depression and 9/11 lead to changes in how
people lived their lives, COVID-19 will most likely leave a major
mark on both adults and kids.
How kids deal with this trauma depends on a variety of factors,
including socioeconomic status. Economically disadvantaged
children may bear the brunt of the trauma due to factors such as
food insecurity, parental stress, and decreased access to education,
among other things.
While it might seem like kids are too young to really sense what is
going on, research suggests that children (though they might not
show it) pick up on the same general anxiety of adults.
And while we might expect kids to just move on or bounce back
once the threat has passed, the reality is that it's an experience
that will help shape their growth and development. It's vital for
adults to explore ways of talking to kids about the pandemic and
find ways to help manage the stress and upheaval that children
are going through - a task that may be especially challenging for
parents and caregivers coping with the economic consequences of
COVID-19.
Ultimately, only time will tell the impact that the pandemic may
have on the youngest generation of kids. We all have our own
worries and past experiences that shape how we respond in the
face of stress. What is important is to treat others with empathy
and kindness.
Generational differences may play a role in the immediate health
risk associated with the virus, but the long-term impact of the
pandemic is something that will affect everyone of all ages. 2
By Jennifer Goldsmith Cerra - Communications Director,
Herbein + Company, Inc.
How may the changing tax laws affect
your estate plan?
Sarah McCahon, Attorney
50 N. Fifth Street, 2nd Floor
Reading, PA 19601
smccahon@barley.com
610-898-7168
A: While lawmakers in Washington, D.C., continue to debate the Biden
administration's proposed tax plan, one thing seems sure: There are
going to be some changes, and they could be major. There are a number
of items under examination now, but one of the biggest changes could
be a significant dip in the estate, gift and generation skipping transfer
tax exemption, from the 2021 rate of $11.7 million per person. The new
exemption amount could take effect by December 31, leaving a great
number of estates in danger of seeing significant tax hikes. If you think
this could apply to your own estate planning, please reach out to me or
any of our trusts and estates attorneys at Barley Snyder.
www.barley.com
READING * LANCASTER * HARRISBURG
YORK * HANOVER * GETTYSBURG * MALVERN
ATTORNEYS AT LAW
SCHUYLKILL HAVEN * HUNT VALLEY, MD * COLUMBIA, MD
berkswomen2women.com 15
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