Ok, the difference is they mainly just died. Only 1.5 percent of flu cases are hospitalized. For this virus 20 percent of those that are positive get hospitalized and not just for a day but for a week or more. Then I can't find the figures, maybe someone can, but 1 -2 percent of those infected need ICU with breathing assistance. Then, Covid seems to be much more contagious to medical personnel. I've seen much higher numbers of those treating this virus need to be hospitalized and some have died. This virus affects the entire healthcare system more than the flu. That is the concern. Also, it is looking like many of those that get this illness have lung issues as a consequence.. Whether that function comes back, we do not know. But that is why everyone is so upset about the virus. It is about more than a death rate. If people just died without passing it on to others or requiring such a big amount of resources to treat, it probably would be more like car accidents or the regular flu. Plus, with the flu as others have mentioned, we do have vaccinations for it, so you can DO something to prevent it to a certain extent.