The problem with the virus is that it’s not only affecting people (by making them ill) but it’s having a major and immediate effect on the economy. Airline travel is down, cruise travel is down, conferences and trade shows are being cancelled, festivals are being cancelled, people are going to restaurants less, rethinking vacations, rethinking anything where they’re in crowds (for example, Broadway shows). Jobs are going to be lost. If you work in an industry that is fueled by tourism (hotel, airline, etc.) you may lose your job. These things are going to take time to bounce back from, and who knows if the virus will return when the weather gets cold again. It’s not yet known whether or not the hot weather will impact it.
World stock markets are experiencing major impact, which will have sometimes devastating consequences on people’s retirement, people’s ability to make major purchases such as houses, etc.
Climate change will have a long term affect on us, but not such an immediate affect on economy.