[cookingrobot]

That would be true if there was no vaccine coming and everyone was going to get it eventually. But if we expect a vaccine sometime in the next year or so, we can try to minimize the number of cases and deaths until then. So far about 1.5% of the US has tested positive for it, so maybe 2-10% have been exposed. If we can keep that under 20%, that will be a lot fewer deaths than if we let it run free to herd immunity levels at 95%.

[UncleOxidant]

Exactly. And given that many who have had covid-19 have permanent damage and/or longterm ongoing symptoms it's best to try to minimize the number of people who get it before a vaccine becomes available. A significant number of people with longterm disability caused by covid-19 would also damage the economy.