An Outbreak Of Stupidity

(I’m on a tour of the medical facility’s infectious disease wing along with a number of other undergraduate students. We’re passing a window looking into a BSL-3 lab where researchers are decked out in head to toe isolation suits.)

Student #1: “What’s in there?”

Guide: “That’s the level 3 lab. They’re studying viruses that are too dangerous for the regular lab.”

Student #2: “Can we see that room?”

Guide: “Sure! If you gather around this window I can try to tell you what they’re doing. That’s Dr. [name] in front, she studies—”

Student #2: “No, like, inside.”

Guide: *laughing* “Sure, just set aside a few months for training with the suits.”

Student #1: “No, like, just peek in the door.”

Guide: *realizing they’re serious* “No, it’s incredibly dangerous.”

Student #2: “Aw, what’s the worst that could happen?”

Guide: “We could all die.”

(They’re silent. Another researcher enters through the hallway next to us.)

Guide: “Hey, Dr. [name], what’s the worst thing that could happen if the level 3 door opened?”

Doctor: “We could all die.”

Student #2: “FINE!”