The death rate is not 5%. It's currently at 3.8% and falling by the day. I've heard estimates that it will end up at about 0.5% of all cases when all is said and done. The reason why we are seeing so many cases is due to the massive increases in testing. Anyone getting surgery in a hospital is automatically tested for instance.
Also, baked into the 140,000 deaths number are an estimated 50,000 deaths due to other causes - cancer, heart disease, common flu. Still not taking away from the seriousness of this virus, it's a nasty SOB to anyone who is elderly or to someone who has pre-existing health conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure or an auto immune deficiency. It is imperative that we due everything to keep these most vulnerable as safe as possible.
My estimate of deaths (after revisions) will fall somewhere in the 100,000-200,000 range which was the last CDC estimate back in late April/early May.