The implication seems pretty clear. We don't live in a world where statements only mean their narrowest and most literal reading.
pseudalopex linked to Fauci's tweet plainly stating that masks are ineffective for the general public.
* https://www.nytimes.com/2020/02/29/health/coronavirus-n95-fa...
* https://edition.cnn.com/2020/02/29/health/face-masks-coronav...