Your recollection does not match my recollection. From what I remember, initially they were saying masks are not useful to protect against disease because of v

Your recollection does not match my recollection. From what I remember, initially they were saying masks are not useful to protect against disease because of various different reasons. Some of them were that general public would not wear masks properly and it would lead to increase in touching your face. This "anti mask" approach was there until they managed to get enough masks, then changing their guidelines to include masks or even mandate masks. This was publicly admitted. In my opinion, this whole process was a big mistake as it led to confusion and increase in public distrust of the health officials. How can you suggests masks don't work then change it to masks work but we had to keep them for ourselves. Second problem is how does the mask not work if the virus spreads through droplets - if masks don't work then it is spread as an aerosol which was initially dismissed.