I did have very close family members and friends who died, some who barely made it, and I also had Corona myself. I also spent weeks helping to save the lives of family members who barely made it. I do not think it's a joke at all. I do think some of the extra precautions are useless and counterproductive though.
I also believe most people who will get it, already got it. In my family and many others, some got it and some did not. We did not quarantine within the house. We shared bathrooms, ate meals together, and lived in the house normally. Still, some people did not get it, and the doctors they are seeing this with many families.
There is no reason to create panic and fear. Let people out in a safe and legal manner and we'll all be better off. Start by davening with a minyan.
A fellow was stuck on his rooftop in a flood. He was praying to God for help.
Soon a man in a rowboat came by and shouted to the man on the roof: “Jump in. I can save you.”
The stranded fellow shouted back: “No, it’s okay. I’m praying to God, and he is going to save me.”
So the rowboat went on.
Then a motorboat came by, and the person in the motorboat shouted: “Jump in. I can save you.”
To this, the stranded man said: “No thanks. I’m praying to God, and he is going to save me. I have faith.”
So the motorboat went on.
Then a helicopter came by, and the pilot shouted down: “Grab this rope, and I will lift you to safety.”
To this, the stranded man again replied: “No thanks. I’m praying to God, and he is going to save me. I have faith.”
So the helicopter pilot reluctantly flew away.
Soon the water rose above the rooftop, and the man drowned. When he arrived in heaven and finally got his chance to discuss this whole situation with God, he exclaimed: “I had faith in you, but you didn’t save me. You let me drown. I don’t understand why!”
To this, God replied: “I sent you a rowboat and a motorboat and a helicopter. What the hell more did you want from me?!”