"It's a small point, but I think it's important in that it demonstrates a clear preference on the part of authorities as to what the public believes."
The fear and, yes, panic, that authorities exhibit in the face of a situation that could possibly induce fear and panic in the general population, is going to eventually lead to more death than being forthright and honest ever would have, in my opinion.
I believe a government prostituting its own credibility is a greater evil than any fact.