The headline of this article actually references a Forbes magazine subject line from April 30, 1990. I remember the column resonated with me. The basic principle was life is full of risks and the incremental cost of trying to attain zero risk is not only wasteful, but can also be harmful. As with the fundamental economic calculation, there is a cost associated with the benefit of achieving decreasing incremental risk. Sometimes those costs are direct, but more often than not, they are indirect – and often unforeseen.

As the world seeks to mitigate the risks of COVID, we also need to understand we will never achieve zero risk – and it should not be our goal. It is an unattainable mirage of absolute certainty which is distorted by the realities of nature and the world we live in. Also, risks can add value, and not just in terms of mitigating costs. Challenges and risks are often needed to teach us, and serve to preserve our inherent strength as move forward as a people – and as a society.

In the past few years there seems to be an abundance of efforts to protect ourselves, our children, and others from many “negative” external risks and even challenging words and discourse. Recently, “Cancel Culture” has gone so far as to try to limit acceptable debate, and essentially ban free speech on popular platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. In March of 2020, The World Health Organization even sought to control the acceptable discussions surrounding any external ideas or alternative views regarding COVID drugs and treatments. However, by isolating and insulating ourselves from dissimilar views and ideas, are we actually weakening ourselves and our natural defenses? How many good ideas and valid concerns were ignored or disregarded in an effort to provide a sterile platform for discussion?

Maybe having a uniform sterile platform isn’t always the best option? As a related medical example, aggressive hygiene controls and antibiotics have proven themselves as an indispensable lifeline and have prevented millions of deaths over the years. However, ultra-sanitary environments and widespread prevalence of these powerful antibiotics have undoubtedly been overused in many circumstances and may actually be doing more harm than good. While well intentioned, the pursuit of zero risk may actually concurrently weakening our bodies’ natural immune systems and increasing the virulence of bacteria and pathogens.

A recent study from Finland suggests, exposing children to less sterile environments actually boosts their natural immune system:

“A high level of hygiene, an urban lifestyle and an insufficient contact with nature reduce diversity in the organ system’s microbes. Homogeneity in microbes increases the risk of disorders in the immune system, such as atopy, diabetes, the coeliac disease and allergies.

Dozens comparative studies have previously found that children who live in rural areas and are in contact with nature have a lower probability of catching an illness resulting from disorders in the immune system.”

A forest-based yard improved the immune system of daycare children in only a month

The COVID-19 vaccines are an incredible tool to prevent infections – especially in vulnerable populations. Through the industrious work of thousands of medical/science professionals, and policy advocates, we have developed amazing miracle drugs to combat COVID in record time. And, just as with antibiotic use and prevalence, we should be mindful that our body’s natural immune system has been built through millions of years of evolution to fight off pathogens and protect ourselves and others – and we as a society should not be dependent on vaccines to fight EVERY ailment.

There needs to be a natural balance with risks as we move forward. Is it wise to close businesses and schools in the pursuit of zero risk until we are all vaccinated? At what cost? Will it stop at COVID? Or will we just need another two weeks to flatten the next curve?