I despair for the future in a Covid 19 world

I do not hold out much hope for the well-being of western civilization during this worldwide pandemic in which we find ourselves.
Yes, you read that right. The entire of the western, so-called first-world civilization. By first-world I refer to the countries with the highest standard of living, the closest thing to equality, the richest, the reportedly most free of all of the countries in the world.
And among those countries, I hold out the least hope for those in North America.
My lack of hope is seated in the actions of people in these countries as they respond, or fail to respond, to the crisis. And make no mistake, it is a crisis.
People returning from abroad are ignoring requirements to self-quarantine for 14 days. People travelling out of country when it was made clear they should stay home. And when they have difficulty getting back, they complain that their government hasn't come to their rescue and brought them home for free, despite the fact that they ignored warnings not to go in the first place.
People gathering in groups for parties, despite the strong request to physically distance. People crowding beaches, shorelines, and parks, even when those areas are closed to the public. People who feel under the weather but don't think twice about going out to stores and restaurants, and line up in droves to get their hands on the latest video game. People hoarding supplies instead of ensuring that everyone has some of the necessities they will need if quarantined. People coming to blows over those supplies.
Not to mention people profiting from the crisis - ranging from reselling hand sanitizer for a profit or by taking advantage of early information and selling off their stock options before the market tanked.
There is an underlying theme that is unique to first-world countries. For many decades now, people in these countries have developed a distinctly me-first mentality. They want what they want, when they want it, and believe that they should get it. And how dare anyone say that they can't have whatever it is they want immediately?
Is this a product of a society that has for years told children that they are the most important people on the planet? That their wants and needs come before anyone else's? That they are special and deserve an award for just participating in an activity? That they cannot fail - not at school, not at anything? Or that if they do fail, it isn't their fault, but that of the teacher, or coach, or government, or God's will?
That's part of it, but certainly not all. Because young people aren't the only ones behaving as though they are the centre of the universe. Senior citizens, the ones most at risk, are ignoring the advice of medical professionals as well. Many have been reported to be visiting with family, attending religious outings, and gathering for socials. Are they suicidal? I certainly hope not.
The fact of the matter is that people of all ages are behaving like selfish toddlers who haven't been taught to share, or to behave as though their actions affect others.
Misinformation, which seems to be easier to believe than the truth, floods social media. And it certainly doesn't help that government officials and the president himself of the largest North American country actively downplay the threat to life and health on a daily basis, and that the lies they tell are then broadcast around the world.
After all, given the choice between the stress of social distancing and life as usual, perhaps it is human nature to want to ignore the facts. But it is dangerous, and not just to you.
When you ignore the warnings of the medical community, you not only put yourself at risk, but you put everyone at risk. Not just everyone you know. Everyone.
Gone is the populace who willingly turned up at recruiting offices to volunteer for the armed forces during the last two world wars. The freedom those men and women fought and suffered for is held aloft as the ultimate benefit of those wars, without a true understanding of what it means to live in a society that would fight for that freedom in the first place.
Now, personal freedom seems to be all that matters. People see their freedom to do as they wish as more important than another's need to stay healthy and safe. How dare the government try to tell me I have to stay home? They can't curtail my freedoms like that!
I weep for what our civilization has become, where so many only think of themselves and of their personal wants and needs.
And I cling to the knowledge that there are those out there doing the right thing by staying home, amd practicing proper hygiene. And even more inspiring, there are people out there giving of themselves every day by caring for the sick, keeping our streets safe, keeping the food chain functional, and more.
But overall, I despair at the future of the world today. Because I fear that a lot more are going to become ill and die before the 'me mentality' runs its course.
I hope I'm wrong.