backlog: covid-19 economics

After this contagion has passed, someone will calculate the $millions we spent to save each life at the margin. And someone will note that

the vast majority of deaths (94%) occurred in patients with underlying conditions - [jwatch](https://www.jwatch.org/na51296/2020/04/03/how-comorbidities-affect-covid-19-severity-us)

and that in the US

most chronic diseases can be prevented by eating well, being physically active, avoiding tobacco and excessive drinking, and getting regular health screenings -- [cdc](https://www.cdc.gov/chronicdisease/resources/infographic/chronic-diseases.htm)

So here’s the question for the next pandemic: how many $millions are we willing to spend per life to save a person who has a demonstrated lack of concern about their own health?