The exception being the issue is true for many diseases. On a large scale, the exception can add up to thousands of people. Take polio, the great fear of yesterday;

> Up to 95 percent of people infected with polio have no symptoms. However, infected persons without symptoms can still spread the virus and cause others to develop polio. About four to five percent of infected people have minor symptoms such as fever, muscle weakness, headache, nausea and vomiting. One to two percent of infected persons develop severe muscle pain and stiffness in the neck and back. Less than one percent of polio cases result in paralysis.*

Despite most cases being harmless, polio was considered a huge public health issue worldwide. The small percentage of cases that developed paralysis added up, essentially becoming a roulette for the majority of children. This is because it was still transmitted easily and rapidly, so it spread through millions of people quickly.

Covid can be seen similarly. Yes most people are fine. The same way that most people that get into car accidents are fine. And yet I don't think it'd be a stretch to say most people probably know at least one person that has suffered serious health complications due to covid

* https://www.health.ny.gov/diseases/communicable/poliomyeliti...