So much could have been avoided if they were just more honest. I know people like confidence but sometimes it is ok to say "we don't know" and then instead of hard fast rules like 6', just give precautionary steps that may make a difference.
If you think deeper, what they did was get people to not buy the good PPE's. I get that you want to save it for the health care or related fields, but if someone can use it correctly and not catch covid, that's 1 less person in the hospital.
My friend tried to buy a N95 mask making machine. Apparently, he needs a permit to even ship it here, and the state denied him said permit. He has money and was going to make mask and give them out for free. He told them this is why he's buying the machine and materials.
The other issue is that they never really pushed how to wear PPE correctly. But that's some what moot as most peoples PPE sucked anyways.
All these issues and this is when we needed our leaders the most.
Example: I often saw people keeping their mask on the rear view mirror or dash on their car. If you read the 3M respirator manual, it states don't do this with the filters. This relates to anything filtration. The manual also states don't leave the mask/filter in front a fan, AC, or anything blowing air as the partials can be spread. So those who wore their mask inside their car were doing it correctly. Then add in how many people I saw put their mask in their pants pocket or purse. The mannual doesn't directly address this, but does say don't touch the front of the filter or outside of the mask with your hand if possible as it may contain contaminants.