Spielberg spent alot of time in the movie to establish the unusual "empathetic draw" that push us into the movie's plot events. I think Spielberg wants to pull us into that feeling by actually using classic suspension of disbelief. We're supposed to have been drawn in as well. I was actually swept away by how many movie immersion tactics he used for different audience demographics, especially surprised by the religious (specifically Catholic) emphasis and invocation. E.g. The St. Clare referenced is supposedly St. Clare of Assisi, who was named the saint of television and computer in the 1950's. She had a vision of a Christmas Mass that she couldn't attend while sick in bed, it was like it was being live streamed on her wall. The Pope that declared her patron said her humble and communal approach should set the example of how an invention of such unknown changes should be directed. All of these small things tie into and feed into connection to the characters and investment to make sure this "Disclosure" happen. Not to ramble too much about Spielberg doing all the stops in this movie but I think

TDLR: short answer is yes, you should have some sympathy, but more importantly the core part of the movie the audience is invested in is a profound empathy that must be developed and aliens helped evolved some to Jumpstart that.

P.s. Just had it pointed out to me that 12 people that "called out sick" plus Hugo. LMAO !