[ZenGum]

Sooooo many times I have heard of government decisions along the lines of "Don't do it, it would cause a panic". Inevitably, it either leaks out or they are forced to act later, which guarantees a much worse panic when they do.

The governor refused to fortify Singapore as the Japanese pushed South through Malaya to avoid causing a panic.
The Brit government didn't publicise the threat to industrial cities in the north, to prevent panic, until the Luftwaffe superseded them.
There are plenty of other examples but I won't mention them. I wouldn't want to scare anyone.