It is widely acknowledged that resolutions of difficulties tend to engender new problems. Increasingly, complex systems perpetuate increasing complexity. This discursive essay suggests that the most promising of discoveries, innovations, and inventions are impuissant to obviate once and for all the need for vigilance. For example, the pursuit of safety and prevention of contagion has burdened our societies with a variety of consequential expenses and environmental pollution. How reassuringly might infection control be achieved depends on the human element – on how attentively, thoughtfully are we as individuals able to meet challenges. The questions to be asked in solving any problem are: how much will a given solution cost and how reliable is it?