[user104658]

It can't be denied that there's a social element to this. I'm not saying it would be a good idea, it would be a horror show, but I strongly suspect that in this exact situation 50+ years ago countries like the UK would have taken the mortality hit and kept the economy open. Public would have gotten vague updates every week or so. Part of the reason governments are responding the way they are is that they're being watched by the whole world minute to minute.