Think a moment. The sick people need the doctors and nurses alive. Stripping the supply of PPE for medical professionals is lose-lose for everyone. Even if only all of the high-risk non-medical-workers bought effective masks, it would obliterate the supply available to nurses and doctors.
Lie once, lie always. Honesty is imperative for a public trust.
Now, what do you think the crazy anti-vaxxers will say, next time they're told to trust the CDC, and other public bodies, and that vaccination is safe, and makes sense?
When a vaccine is created, perhaps, for this virus?
Now it is easier to convince others that the truth is concealed. That lies abound.
Any medical official should lose their license, for spreading quackery.