Of course, when the Black Death happened, the world in general was much smaller. People weren’t quite as aware as to what was happening elsewhere. And given that things like infant mortality were much higher, life expectancy was lower, no real contraception etc… people really had no real incentive not to procreate again. So they did.

These days we’re generally more aware and more in control. I like to think that if corona HAD wiped out half the planet, the survivors would see clear benefits: less overcrowding, nature is restoring, the air is cleaner, etc etc. You saw some of that during the pandemic when, for example, the canals in Venice turned crystal clear because of lack of humans.

I’d flip that coin right now. Whoever lives inherits a paradise. Use it wisely and learn from previous mistakes.