[alexander_busek]

In order to avoid being exposed as a journalist — several reporters have been barred or expelled — I slept and showered outside the zone.

That doesn't make any sense!

If he truly intended to go undercover, he should have lived exactly as the inhabitants, foregoing showers, etc.

How does leaving CHAZ and showering/sleeping at the Ramada Inn increase one's OpSec?

Regards,

[Mr Radical]

I think that’s because if he (Andy Ngo) had taken off his mask at any time then he would likely have been recognised.

[Freedom_Is_Not_Free]

He was trying to avoid showing his face. Showers are probably public to some extend, the way festival hippy showers are. You can’t shower with your mask on. So if somebody recognized him after all of his time on Fox News, his cover would be blown.

I don’t know why he couldn’t sleep there and hide his identity, but obviously there was that risk too. Maybe he feared his mask falling off while sleeping and somebody milling around nearby recognizes him.

He didn’t explain it very well, but I believe he understood how to maintain his cover and gave us an indication, but should have explained it fully if he was going to mention it. Or else an editor just cut it out before publishing.