[mynameisash]

> So basically you're saying "they lied but it's OK because it was a well-intentioned lie".

That's not at all what GP said. Try re-reading it:

>> health authorities told people not to use masks at first because ... Hospitals were in danger of running out of protective equipment.

That is in no way lying.

[jldugger]

I don't recall them saying 'hospitals need them more,' but rather 'masks have no proven effect' while people inside the CDC later admitted the concern was the first bit. I'm pretty sure that's a lie; while maybe they can argue about foment size effects etc. meant it technically wasn't a lie, I think we can all agree the public heard none of that nuance.

[sampo]

> That is in no way lying.

This opinion piece in New York Times says there was lying going on.

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/03/17/opinion/coronavirus-face-...

https://archive.is/XrRBQ