Another comment goes into more detail, but it's not too complicated. In the US, a lot of people are reluctant to seek healthcare because of the high cost. So pe

Another comment goes into more detail, but it's not too complicated. In the US, a lot of people are reluctant to seek healthcare because of the high cost. So people in a poor economic situation who are starting to feel the symptoms are forced to take a gamble: - Go to the hospital, get tested, possibly get quarantined, lose work income, possibly get fired, possibly pay large bill if uninsured - Don't go to the hospital, hope you recover fine If it splits half-half, that's a lot of people who are going to be going outside and infecting people.