In "The Blank Slate", Dr. Steven Pinker talks about our genetic inability to manage risk well.

Let's say that if we drive the speed limit, we have a 99.99999999999% chance of returning home without an auto accident. But if we drive a little faster, the risk drops to 99.99999999995%. There is no way the tragic consequences of an auto accident outweigh the time saved by driving faster.

Covid-19 is just another example of poor inability to manage risk.