Maggie's Farm

People say it because it's one of the first things to go when people are in a hurry or want something else. They put up the sign at the shop because the tendency will be for people to not wear safety goggles or mop up a little water because they think they'll be "fine this time." People overlook necessary safety precautions when cleaning guns or driving cars because they are in a hurry.

One can accuse people of exaggeration in using the phrase because it of course cannot be literally true. However, once you have decided to clean your gun or use a table saw or drive to work, the phrase "Safety First" is what you should be thinking next, because your natural inclinations are going to pull you into unsafe practices.

You actually do want the OCD surgeon who counts the sponges six times when it's your operation. When we think there is actual danger involved we are very glad to have everyone remind us "Safety First!" Well, not glad exactly. I was always irritated at my sons handing me safety goggles. But we accept it without too much objection. The difference at the moment is that a lot of people, rightly or wrongly, don't think the danger is that great. That is what is driving the objection to government rules and people telling us what to do. Lots of folks are framing this in the language of rights, and freedoms, and our exalted forefathers, or in insulting terms about the timidity of others or the fascism of our governments, but the impression that the safety rules are not that important are the real driver.

This is true whether the rules are right or wrong, and whether our conclusions about the danger are objective or motivated by our desires.

That would be "the quick and the dead."