because they were afraid there wouldn't be enough masks for hospital workers. Direct, intentional lies. Delivered without a qualm. I'm reminded of the 7/7/2005 London subway attacks. Calming claims were made that it was a transformer fire. It was bullshit, and they knew it was bullshit. They said it to prevent "panic". Fuck that.
Don't trust the experts until you are sure of their motives.