But if you live in a city where it's at now, and you're careful with going around older people for 14 days after you get back, whats the harm?

I live in Los Angeles. I work in Hollywood. If I go out to get lunch, it's possible I'm walking near people infected. What else can I do other than follow the handwashing stuff, not touching my face/ears/nose/mouth?

Until things are locked down...there's zero reason to not live life right now.