Sweden didn't shut down business, more importantly they didn't close their schools. They still work and generate GDP as usual. Small business like restaurants remain open, the waiters and waitresses are still making money by working. But a skyrocketing NY shut down business & schools and lockdown everybody. This difference between Sweden and NY is the point I have been trying to make. It's about economy.
BTW, from Sweden video you can see people on the streets are mostly young or middle age people, not old people. The only thing I don't like is they should wear face mask when you go out. But this is not unique to Sweden. It's the issue of most western countries.