Disruptive self-quarantines serve a purpose even in the case of an out-of-control epidemic. The mortality rate isn't very high, but the number of hospital beds

Disruptive self-quarantines serve a purpose even in the case of an out-of-control epidemic. The mortality rate isn't very high, but the number of hospital beds for severe cases are limited. Ditto the number of diseased people who can be away from work at once without having disproportionate effects on society. A 10% sick rate might be managable over the course of a year, but a 60% sick rate over two months is probably not. Aggressive self-quarantines reduces the peak number of diseased, and hence improves both the prospects of both the seriously ill (who will have medical treatment available) and society's ability to keep functioning while the epidemic runs its course.