I suppose the self-proclaimed defenders of "free speech" that have crawled out of their holes to brandish freedom and rights believe, no demand, that men are accorded the right to yell "fire" in a crowded arena or theatre without any consequence. What do you suppose would have been the consequence of screaming "epidemic" in a city of 20 million? "Freedom of speech" is lunacy that ignorant men demand, while possessing no capacity to comprehend the truths, nor the ability to act upon the information. What use would be the information regarding infectivity or mortality of this plague serve the average man? He neither possesses the capacity to enact public policy, nor the authority to decide the fate of 1.5 billion people. That the common man lacks such authority is a blessing upon him.

As you guess, the plague is more serious than what the CCP claims in the public announcements. But what your self-proclaimed defenders of freedom advocate will only worsen the current situation by undermining social and political order. The Westerners are so innured by constant and rampant fearmongering, that they lost the capacity to understand the use of information in engendering social calm. Unless some buffoon is screaming the end of the world, the Western mind has no capacity to comprehend information. Truth is irrelevant in emergencies; if blatant falsehood will ensure more favorable outcomes, any responsible government will pursue dissemination of lies to ensure public safety. That your faction of freedom lovers cannot discern the necessity of practical measures to maintain public order in emergencies proves that they ought not have access to sensitive information.

The infection rate of the plague is higher than that of the flu and mortality rate is likely to be around 20%. What do you think the "quarantine" warehouses in these cities are? The crematoriums are likely operating overtime, and the purpose of the so-called "disinfectant" sprays from roving armored vehicles are to mask the ashes and smoke from the crematoriums. Instead of wasting energy criticizing those who can make hard decisions, the West ought to work towards securing their own borders. When the plague hits your neighborhood, the Western populist whores will be unlikely to act decisively or be inclined to make necessary choices.