https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-woodstock-pandemic-1968-idUSKBN22J2MJ - https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-factcheck-woodstock-pandemic-1968-idUSKBN22J2MJ

One of the most commonly seen claims says: “The Hong Kong Flu (H3N2) of 1968, killed 1 million worldwide, and 100,000 in the US, most excess deaths being in people 65+ (via the CDC). Nothing changed economically, nothing closed, no social distancing, no masks. No one was considered selfish then.”

What would the death rate be like if no action was taken?  

The early estimates for the USA were for over 2 million deaths - 20 times the rate of "Woodstock flu" deaths.   Estimates based on a low Case Fatality Rate, but a wide spread as it was a novel illness with no one having built up immunity.    The action taken has slowed down the spread.

Every death is a tragedy.  

In a rich country like the US or UK, should ANYONE starve or lose their home in a crisis, that is a failing of the system.  The biggest part of being civilized is caring for the weakest in a society.  For God's sake neanderthals cared for their sick, old, disabled and injured!  Have we really gone backwards since then?

You don't take off the parachute just because you have slowed your fall, or stop taking the antibiotics because your temperature has dropped a bit - even if the straps rub or the pills cause diarrhoea.

We are headed for a global depression.  There is no escaping that, but if we work together and share some wealth the poorest need not suffer.  But to stop distancing measures early would be an act of colossal evil: "So a few die, but I can get a tattoo."  - as would not caring for those whose income has evaporated be.  

We boast of our great civilizations.  Now we find out if they are really great, or if we are less moral than the so-called cavemen.