The public is encouraged to feel it is safe to open the economy and spread Covid-19 because only "people with underlying conditions" die. Then that is equated to people who are unproductive and on their last legs anyway. But actually it's a large fraction of everyone.

That article cites statistics for Australia, but I expect the situation is similar elsewhere.

However, there are situations in which we really need to keep part of the economy going. The US medical system is being undermined by the number of staff who are getting Covid-19. There is a move to let sick workers return to work sooner, which medical personnel say is dangerous.

Which is worse — for some people to get treatment from staff that have a slightly larger chance of giving them Covid-19, or for some people not to get treatment at all? I think it depends on the details.