[nomel]

> That doesn't aren't right, precisely because it validates conspiracy minded people.

That’s putting it far too lightly. It proved a “conspiracy” 100% true. I had masks early in the pandemic only because a “nutty” colleague said “they’re going to try to take the masks from us” and he brought me a box.

[unethical_ban]

I agree it was terrible, because it undermines public trust.

But now people use those statements to say "aha you people are silly for wearing masks" when that old comment is clearly, well, out of date.