> we still did not know how COVID was transmitted

If we didn't know, then the correct action would be to exercise pre-caution.

> at that time there was perceived to be a strong likelihood of supply shortages that would affect medical providers worldwide

Then, say that. Instead they specifically recommended against masks and said masks wasn't effective.

COVID is visibly like a flu where people cough. Saying masks doesn't work for flu-like diseases raises red flags... but people who dared questioning it were branded "anti-science".