Factories aren’t shutting down because of covid, they’re shutting down because of society’s response to covid. There are other diseases that are just as virulent that have popped up over the years & in no case did it force the economy to close.

What disease went around that was just as as widespread and deadly as Covid? And a factory refusing to shut down is a massive health violation. For example, I wouldn't eat Beef coming from a factory that had Mad Cow disease. And I would expect all tainted products to be destroyed as well.

Similarly, if there was a factory in my neighborhood with confirmed Covid cases, I would demand to know where their products are going so I don't catch it either.

What is happening is a mass hysteria that is leaps & bounds out of proportion to the problem itself (I.e a slightly more serious version on the common cold)

The hysteria is justified because Covid has some nasty as hell after effects. For example, it's powerful enough to tear apart your lungs, requiring a replacement.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/covid-19-double-lung-transplant-canada-ontario-1.5983712

And that was coming from a healthy guy before he unfortunately caught it.