The Surgeon General made a horrible mistake. The context of his statement was to get the public to quit buying masks so that they would have enough for Medical workers and first responders.
Let that sink in for a minute. They work for Medical workers and First Responders, but not for the public?
The CMO of NY probably was just following suite.
Nature is one of the most respected Scientific publications in the world.
It’s The Surgeon General’s job.
That’s why you have The Surgeon General’s warnings on things..like cigarette packs. That publication of yours doesn’t really carry a whole lot of weight.