[magnus]

Why would the CDC water down its advice in February?  Trump was denying there was a problem then.

I feel like the CDC guidelines in February weren't evolved yet.  They were still treating the virus as low risk, so I don't think there was even any advice for how to handle it.

By mid March, they started with probably standard PPE requirements...only to realize they had not enough (I'm guessing)...and rather than overprotect our healthcare workers, they relaxed requirements to include an option to use bandanas and scarves if PPE was not available.

[magnus]

Why would the CDC water down its advice in February?  Trump was denying there was a problem then.

I feel like the CDC guidelines in February weren't evolved yet.  They were still treating the virus as low risk, so I don't think there was even any advice for how to handle it.

By mid March, they started with probably standard PPE requirements...only to realize they had not enough (I'm guessing)...and rather than overprotect our healthcare workers, they relaxed requirements to include an option to use bandanas and scarves if PPE was not available.