I have a vague memory that they also made similar statements, but I tried to find evidence of that recently and couldn’t find a source. I’d appreciate anybody that could link me to a source if they have it on hand / find one.
However that was before the CDC issued in early april its recommendation to wear masks [1]
[0] https://www.cbsnews.com/news/preventing-coronavirus-facemask... [1] https://www.npr.org/sections/coronavirus-live-updates/2020/0...
The noble lie is typically a regrettable idea. Eventually exposed, it undermines trust in institutions by setting them in opposition to the public.
“We had to lie to you because you wouldn’t have done the right thing otherwise. That is to say, you are bad and we are good.”
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/the-cdc-says-americans-don...
mentions that. Not very well sourced though.