People pretty much always end up doing what they want to do. They always find a reason, justification, excuse.
In our marriage, if something like hospitalisation and many other things had come up - we tended to discuss the impact on the family, like getting the kids to school. But neither of us would consider buggering off, when the other was ill or needed assistance.
However, we always had strong family routines: Homework, cooking times, bath and bedtimes.
You pretty much know, when one of you is sick, what has to be done and who needs to fill in doing what.
I'm all for routines and making sure the basics are done.
However, next generation are more fluid and with more support. You can order in food, if needed, so no one needs to cook.
It's a safe bet if your wife is in bed for a couple days - do you really need to be there? Has anyone thought that through? Or is it just assumed ill person will be binge box watching films and TV series?