Man’s $2K Camera Sensor Destroyed by Self-Driving Car Laser

[Herr Barnack]

From Peta Pixel comes the story of a guy's Sony a7R II sensor being destroyed by the laser form a self-driving car -
https://petapixel.com/2019/01/12/ma...ar-laser/?mc_cid=14397f87b2&mc_eid=08903530b5

This made me start thinking. There are a lot more lasers in use these days other than those in self-driving cars; as laser based technology proliferates, things could easily go sideways for digital camera users.

As best as I can tell from the article, the camera's sensor was struck directly by the laser while the power was on in the camera. I am wondering if digital camera sensors are at risk only when they are turned on? Are the sensors safe if the camera is turned off?

Will a lens cap protect the sensor from a laser strike?

Will we have to start carrying our cameras around in big, unwieldy Faraday cage cases with lead lining to protect the sensors from laser strikes??