When exactly did he say this? At the beginning of the pandemic when things were still uncertain?

I’m sorry, but I have to disagree with you if he said that at the beginning. To be clear, I know masks were an effective protection against the coronavirus. But at that time there was a lot of uncertainty, first, and second, he was half-right: there was a shortage of masks, and medical professionals needed them at a very critical time. I followed that advice. Then when the CDC said “oops, no actually DO wear masks!” I started wearing them.

So… I’m not saying he was right. I’m just saying we should judge people in context. Don’t pile him up with the true idiot anti-mask bundle.