Q:

With apt info, how do I see additional records, if -a doesn't work?

When I run (for example) apt info python3.8, the last line of the output is the following one.

N: There is 1 additional record. Please use the '-a' switch to see it

Following what that line suggested, I tried apt info -a python3.8, but all I got is the following error message.

E: Command line option 'a' [from -a] is not understood in combination with the other options.

Thinking it simply meant the option should be the first one, I tried apt -a info python3.8 and apt -a python3.8 but I got the exact same error message.
To my surprise, even apt -a gave me the same error message.
How can I see the additional records, if the suggested option doesn't work?
Notice that this happens with a fresh installation of Pop!_OS 19.10, on a virtual machine and on a physical machine. I take it cannot be caused from conflicts between installed packages.

A:

From your description, it sounds like your issue is related to this bug report
The report has an easy workaround while awaiting for the apt-1.9.5 package to be released to your distribution:
apt show -a $pkg

