older people died of COVID". What those of us who believe in selective isolation are saying is that the measures taken to keep everyone healthy must be weighed against the cost (social, mental, emotional, physical and financial) of keeping everyone healthy. Yes, some old people are going to die. Some younger ones will too. Nation-wide it may be in the 20,000 or so just for the elderly. Harsh, but that's about the rate for each flu season in the US. To act without considering the cost, ALL the costs, is foolish.
And here's another matchstick: the 2 opposing sides on COVID-19 say "life is sacred and must be protected above ALL things, even safety and security" and other says "life is precious but so is happiness and that happiness we seek depends upon freedom, freedom from excessive, unwarranted fear" and so it seems to be coming clear that is largely becoming an argument between those on the "left" and those on the "right".