There's a subtle distinction between being most infectious and infecting the most people. You may be very infectious when symptomatic, but you're likely bedrid

There's a subtle distinction between being most infectious and infecting the most people. You may be very infectious when symptomatic, but you're likely bedridden and the few people around you are taking some precautions. On the other hand you may be less infectious while presymptomatic, but live a normal life, effectively infecting more people right before you "get sick" yourself.