zlacker

sudosysgen says> "People in China routinely go to hospitals for colds. It's cheap, and it makes you feel better, so why not."

Yes, but these were three staff who work with infectious diseases and so would not be expected to use hospital resources frivolously. In fact, they would be considered shirkers to do so for a cold. If a doctor at a hospital needs an aspirin he merely takes it - he doesn't check into the hospital, take a bed, etc.

>>giardi+(OP)
That's a good point. These are the kind of people least likely to seek treatment for a suspected virus - because they know time and rest is basically all there is. I know that, so I don't see a doctor if I get sick. They'd only go if it's really serious.

>>giardi+(OP)
Is going to see a nurse to get a cold checked out really a detrimentally frivolous waste of resources? Unless the hospitals are congested, I don't see why this would be the case.

As for the cultural attitudes over doing this in Chinese virology labs, neither of us has any data for it to be any different from the general population. Personally if I had such a job and I was in a country where such a thing was normal I would do it.

Don't forget, for example, social pressure from friends and family.