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You make a good point, and I would consider it valid except for the fact that hospital treatment is too expensive for many Chinese. One question: those who cannot afford hospital treatment (there was an article posted about a student who was caught in a Catch-22 situation, did you see it?) who do not go to the hospitals--are they considered "intentional spreaders"? Even though the Chinese government has said that everyone will be treated for SARS free of charge in hospitals whether they can afford it or not, that doesn't seem to be the case.

In the example of the student, she was not allowed to leave before paying her bill--and in China, that means forced to stay. Most likely those who cannot pay are made to help care for the other sick patients and "work off" the bill. So, do you go to a hospital you can't afford and become a prisoner if you survive? Or do you stay away? And if you stay away, are you an "evil, intentional SARS spreader"?

These thoughts are the way I'm reading the situation. I have no personal knowledge and could be wrong.

I recall seeing the TV interview of the Chicom Minister of Health who said that their Govt has allocated money to combat SARS and will pay any Hospital for the costs of treating SARS, if the patients are too poor to pay