Risk vs reward

During the economic slowdown in 2008 our local building inspectors remained comfortably in their jobs while the bulk of small construction companies went bankrupt. When these inspectors set rules they are concerned about safety. Shall we use 2 by 4's or 6es, should we use 8 inch block or ten inch. They are not concerned about the cost because they are not in business. The same is true with the current virus. The scientist are concerned about the safety and prefer to shut things down since the economic aspects are not their concern. In business things are different. Decisions are based on risk vs reward. Business people recognize that safety is important but they also understand that they must stay in business. The virus problem was further complicated by politics or is it just coincidence that most republicans are more concerned about economics and most democrats more concerned about safety. If safety were the only concern then the whole country would have been shut down in March. We would now have saved many lives but the economy would be in shambles. Life requires choices and this means compromise