But the deception is specifically what I'm objecting to. Yes, it would have been quite reasonable to say "healthcare workers need the masks -- please leave the

But the deception is specifically what I'm objecting to. Yes, it would have been quite reasonable to say "healthcare workers need the masks -- please leave them for them." By doing a public volte-face, the medical authorities opened the door to questioning of their advice and the "macho posturing" that you're talking about. I'm not convinced that it would have played out the same if they hadn't made such a foolish decision.