Virus aftermath

In the face of the virus, many in Hong Kong ask for the border to be closed, at least to people coming from other places.  The same is happening elsewhere.  At first, the city of Wuhan was locked down.  Then it was other cities, and while countries.  Gatherings are banned. Bars, restaurants and shops are closed. People who are suspected of carrying the virus are quarantined.  Those who go out in violation of the quarantine become public enemies.  People demand that quarantine breakers be arrested and prosecuted.  All these, and many other actions normally considered draconian are normally opposed strenuously. In these difficult times, however, they are tolerated, supported and even demanded. Many people become angry if their government does not take such action.

When the virus pandemic is finally over - hopefully, it will eventually blow over - hopefully, these authoritarian measures will be rolled back.  But, will they?  In some places, they probably will be.  But in some places, they may not.  

In difficult times, people welcome, even demand, strong measures, centralised powers and strong leaders.  In France, Napoleon came to power in the carnage of the French Revolution.  In Russia, the Communists came to power in the chaos resulting from the Russian defeat in the First World War and the collapse of the Russian Empire. In Germany, the Nazis came to power in the German humiliation following the First World War. In China, the Communist came to power in the chaotic aftermath of the collapse of the Qing Dynasty and the Second World War.  

Power, once centralized and entrenched, have a habit of perpetuating itself.  Whoever gives up power voluntarily?  

What is going to happen in Hong Kong, and other places, when the virus blows over?  Will the government roll back all those draconian measures voluntarily?  Some, probably.  Will they try to retain some of the additional powers and measures? Particularly those that make it easier for the establishment to crush their opponents and dissenters? You can bet on it.  What can we do to ensure that those powers are rolled back?  Do we, the people, have the will to make it happen?

Ultimately, what kind of world do we want to see post virus pandemic?  Are we willing to work towards the kind of world that we like?