Ground straps have high resistances because it's needed for the static protection, not to protect us in case of electrocution. The resistance in the strap makes sure that when contact is made between us and something that might not be at a neutral potential, the discharge current is not so high as to cause the damage to the device we are trying to protect. If we are directly grounded when we touch a very sensitive device at a different potential, the combined charge of us and the ground (which can be considered infinite), may allow damaging currents to flow to discharge the built-up charges. Having a high resistance to ground ensures that only the charge in our bodies can discharge quickly to equalize with the charge in the device we touch, limiting currents. Of course having a resistance to ground certainly helps protect us from a high voltage relative to ground, so you could say the resistance is for both of our benefits. But a direct connection to ground isn't always going to protect a device that isn't at ground potential. That's why static resistance foam and packaging is used instead of just wrapping everything in aluminum foil.
As far as high voltage work, there is no substitute for simply avoiding making contact with any high voltage point - or in the case of extremely high voltages - keep a safe distance.
P.S. Not too many people realize the pink poly bags are designed to NOT GENERATE a large static charge from friction like normal plastic bags do. They DO NOT protect the contents from external static charges. To protect a device (such as when transporting it), you need the silver bags that have a STATIC SHIELD that prevents outside high charges from damaging the devices. If you want to, you can zap right through those pink bags, but not the silver ones.
When in doubt, use silver.