Let's assume for the sake of argument that the Coronavirus is potentially lethal and there is a need for social distancing in public venues. Fine, I get that.

OK, then. My understanding from reading the linked news report is that Kaiser's Medical Center in Oakland accepted the treatment of 21 or more Grand Princess cruise ship passengers who had tested positive for the virus.

Kaiser instructed nurses to reuse disposable protective gear to save supplies due to shortages triggered by the pandemic. In response, nurses then took it upon themselves to bring in and wear their own N95 masks to treat their patients. That response led Kaiser to threaten the nurses with immediate termination if they continued to wear protective gear that was not 'medical-grade'.