About number 3, it was a blatant lie to keep the PPE for medical workers. I understand the rationale there, but I don't think it's worth treating people like children and lying to them - even if it temporarily gives a better result. Because now when they say masks work, plenty of people are understandably skeptical - and that makes them vulnerable to believing less credible sources of information on the topic.

I fully believe masks help, despite as you say, there being little specific evidence for Covid19, because we have good reason to think they reduce transmission just based on how masks work, evidence in general to support masks in a medical setting, and the transmission mechanism of the virus.

However, I have zero sympathy for the authorities struggling to get people to take them seriously about masks after they started off by lying about it.

And after an established history of authorities and politicians lying, it's little wonder conspiracy theories proliferate. You reap what you sow.