That was a real a*hole move.
It sure was.
But the question I have, is falsely claiming you have to obtain some advantage (like time off sick pay) better or worse than ignoring symptoms and continuing to have public contact? For example, like the reporter who showed up with a fever and was prevented from attending a WH press event?
One is spreading panic to obtain a personal benefit, the other is closer to depraved negligent discharge of a deadly weapon.