That's how I remember it too. Also the context about conserving N95 masks always feels like it gets lost. Like, predictably so and I think there's definitely room to criticize the CDC's messaging and handling there, but the actual facts here aren't as absurd as the current fight would imply. The argument was:
- With the small droplet size, most basic fabric masks offer very limited protection, if any.
- The masks that are effective, like N95 masks, are only available in very limited quantities.
- If everyone panic-buys N95 the way they did toilet paper it will mean that the people who are least able to avoid exposure i.e. doctors and medical frontliners are at best going to wildly overpay and at worst won't be able to keep supplied.
- Therefore, most people shouldn't worry about masking at this stage, and focus on other measures like social distancing and staying the fuck home.
I think later research cast some doubt on point 1, but 2-4 are still pretty solid given the circumstances that we (collectively) found ourselves in.