"I don't care about economy" I didn't know I'd ever say this, hate these words, but this is privilege talking.
Look at life expectancy chart for Russia in the 90ies.
This was mere economic mismanagement, and it's far worse than the worst case virus scenario.
In some countries, unemployment and economic mismanagement leads to civil wars, revolutions and dictatorships.
Sure, techies in democratic/democratic-socialist first world countries will be probably fine in bad economy, if my experience in the great recession is any indication. A chance to buy cheaper stocks, too!
However, even in a mild recession hundreds of millions (at least) will suffer. I'd choose 350k deaths.
EDIT:
Come think of it, if you could completely mitigate one historical event in Europe, would you go for Spanish flu (millions of deaths!) or Great Depression (mere economy, of no consequence)?
"The most deadly event in recorder history" apparently you are not very familiar with recorded history. Incidentally, Great Depression allowed a certain populist guy to come to power in a European country and to unleash an event that was several times more deadly. I guess he didn't do enough damage to your country in particular, eh?
I has ravaged my country. However the bad situation of germany at that is to be blamed on the French for being too soft on this country after first world war. They should have been kept under control.
Also, the spanish flu has killed between 50M - 100M according to the most recent estimations.
Look at life expectancy chart for Russia in the 90ies. This was mere economic mismanagement, and it's far worse than the worst case virus scenario. In some countries, unemployment and economic mismanagement leads to civil wars, revolutions and dictatorships.
Sure, techies in democratic/democratic-socialist first world countries will be probably fine in bad economy, if my experience in the great recession is any indication. A chance to buy cheaper stocks, too! However, even in a mild recession hundreds of millions (at least) will suffer. I'd choose 350k deaths.
EDIT: Come think of it, if you could completely mitigate one historical event in Europe, would you go for Spanish flu (millions of deaths!) or Great Depression (mere economy, of no consequence)?