From TC privately:

"The site won’t let me post another reply without upgrading to premium. Any way, if you want to share this, you can.

The ones that bought shares will have now bought them from Apex. Apex filled them with short shares and that is why they have to cover. The buyers should be ok."

Of course! Shame on me for not figuring that out myself. Ugh. That definitely imposes a penalty on APEX. Good.

And good for those who picked up cheap shares!