I can see the idea of guiding the public to not wear masks if it really is some zero-sum game where first responders lose if the public wears them. I disagree with this strategy due to the second order effects (reduced trust, later confusion), but it at least makes some sort of sense.

I can’t see the logic of telling the public that masks don’t help, if it is possible for people to actually increase the supply of masks by making them at home. In this case it isn’t a small manipulation that doesn’t hurt anyone, but harmful misinformation.