Will we become better people when pandemic ends?

Many people believe, with all their goodwill, that after this pandemic, we will be better persons. More compassionate, more empathetic and supportive.

What are the reasons to think so? Historically, there are no fundamentals.

When major catastrophes occur, we tend to think that the world will change. But it doesn't happen. During World War I (1914-1918) almost 70 countries intervened, some of which were part of the six colonial empires of the time. About 10 million people died. It was believed that something like this couldn't happen again. And what happened? Well, there were political changes, new nations emerged, and territories were divided among the winners.

The "Never Again" lasted twenty years. World War II (1939-1945) repeated the same scheme. More "efficient" weapons killed 10 million other human beings. And what changed? Again: the distribution of territories and political power.

After that, most humans swore that there could never be more wars. In fact, the League of Nations was created (later renamed as United Nations). Its purpose? Preserve peace in the whole world. Forever.

And what happened, again? Well, the planet watched the Korean War, the Vietnam War, the countless bombings on Afghanistan, Pakistan, Syria and other regions ... and still we are adding deaths in many places.

So, what will change when the coronavirus pandemic ends?

For sure, some people will be more supportive. But those who pull the strings of the world economy... will they? To believe so is an almost naive idea. People who see everything through glasses that say "profit" are usually not empathetic. Money and power are not compassionate. 

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