Lomapaseo,
I would credit the general public with a little more common sense. They would have just witnessed an accident where peoples lives have been lost, but they were certainly still getting on aircraft this morning as far as I could see.
Aircraft designers do not try to design dangerous aircraft. History has shown us that a bit of metal on a runway, or a microscopic fault within a component of an engine can cause disaster. People watch the discovery channel and see Seconds From Disaster, because it is entertaining and the probability of it happening to them is minute.
You smoke a fag, have a drink or drive a car and you have an understanding of the risk involved. Flying is the same. It feels unnatural but it is safe.