Thank you! IMHO this new quote is more adequately resumed by "He was understandably trying to prevent people from buying and using surgical masks because there was a dangerously limited supply. When the supply was secure he advocated masking." than by "New information is obtained. Sometimes experts have to change their recommendations".

>...> when people in authority tell you that they had, or perhaps still have to, lie to you “for your own good” — that’s not a hallmark of a free society.

True and well put.