You may choose to believe the press release. The NPR article is more than the mask anecdote, that is just the intro. The reporter cites sources familiar and her

You may choose to believe the press release. The NPR article is more than the mask anecdote, that is just the intro. The reporter cites sources familiar and her editors stand by the sourcing. I imagine the truth is somewhat messier than the statement that they are "warm colleagues and friends" implies.