Republicans want to give businesses complete immunity for imposing working conditions that favor transmission of Covid-19.

This goes with a plan to keep meat-packing plants open without giving the workers protective gear.

It would be unreasonable, perhaps even harmful, to demand too much. If not enough protective gear is available made, when medical personnel have trouble getting them, we must not blame an employer for not getting some -- or insist it outbid the hospitals for them. Some companies might get gear by bribing the conman, and medical personnel might get sick as a result.

However, it would be a mistake to jump to the opposite extreme. For instance, if unsophisticated masks will prevent most transmission in the work place, companies must get them and provide them. There is no sense in giving businesses license to be totally careless with employees' health.