Because the flu kills between 34,000 and 43,000 people each year. Covid killed more than 10 times that in the first year not because it is more lethal but because it is more contagious.
The other thing that people don't seem to be interested in talking about is the long term effects. The virus can damage the lungs, heart and brain, which increases the risk of long-term health problems. I have said it before and I will say it again. If you have had covid, you now have a pre-existing condition. It does not matter if you had a single symptom. Lets hope our elected politicians keep those protections in place. If you have respiratory, circulatory, or nervous system issues later on in life and you had tested positive for covid, I guarantee you the insurance companies will claim its a pre-existing condition as a result of the virus.