It seems like a lot of the public/government messaging regarding this virus is ambiguous regarding their policy goals: true containment (like you'd want with Eb

It seems like a lot of the public/government messaging regarding this virus is ambiguous regarding their policy goals: true containment (like you'd want with Ebola), or simply flatting the rate of spread (as you argue). If the GP was referring to messaging that suggests a goal of true containment, then I think you're both right.