What is the reason behind doctored numbers? I mean, I can understand during normal time - governments and politicians and bureaucrats like all the time to make

What is the reason behind doctored numbers? I mean, I can understand during normal time - governments and politicians and bureaucrats like all the time to make themselves look good. But during a pandemic/emergency, lying is only going to backfire, no? Like, how long can they lie? a week? a month? Eventually they're going to get caught, no?