Because COVID-19 has a higher infection/transmission rate than the seasonal flu and a higher mortality rate. The economy isn't shutting down because 68 people

Because COVID-19 has a higher infection/transmission rate than the seasonal flu and a higher mortality rate. The economy isn't shutting down because 68 people have died, it's shutting down because 61,000 people died from the flu and COVID-19 has a distinct potential of being significantly worse.