Face masks with plastic device on front are probably worthless.

[Prosper]

Valves on face masks are one way. Typically they restrict intake drawing more air through the filtrate. Conversely the valve is free flow to exhalation meaning any infected breath reached out just like unmasked. “Immediate attention”

[CaptainTruth]

1. I just taped over my valves on the inside, sealing them air tight.

[BigmanPigman]

2. Yup! Same with getting Covid test results back

after 48 hours of being taken...worthless. Thanks "Brownie" /Jared, you're doing a fine job with testing!

[Warpy]

3. Got a link?

MIT has come up with a reusable, sterilizable face mask with an N-95 insert. The insert is flat and presumably much faster and easier to manufacture than the formed N-95 masks in use now and provides as much protection as the current standard masks.

They should be ready to go into production just about the time the first vaccine is rolled out.

It's a great idea for the next pandemic and yes, there will be a next one.

https://www.cnet.com/news/mit-engineers-design-a-reusable-face-mask-that-could-be-as-effective-as-an-n95/

So i don't know what kind of plastic insert you're talking about, but there is more than one type.

[Prosper]

4. You may want to ditch that valve face mask.

https://abcnews.go.com › story
Web results
You may want to ditch that valve face mask: The pros and cons - ABC News
face masks with check valves from abcnews.go.com
May 9, 2020 · The purpose of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's universal masking guidelines is to prevent viral

I have used face masks most of my adult life and from personal experience I know that the masks with valves allow exhaled breath to pass virtually unrestricted through the valve. The main reason for this is to prevent exhalant from disturbing the seal of the face mask on the wearer. In reality the valved face masks are probably more dangerous in spreading the disease because the valve can probably focus and increase the velocity of exhaled breath.

[Warpy]

5. Thank you very much

I worked in health care, so I haven't seen such masks. I imagine they're used in industrial settings where nanoparticulates are the problem, not contagion. I can see that they'd work very well for people like miners and welders, increasing comfort when worn over a long period of time.

N-95 masks and OR respirators get distinctly swampy very quickly. While they're freely gas permeable, people who aren't used to them feel like they're suffocating as their air gets hot and wet.

[Mosby]

6. The valved masks were not designed for medical use

They are designed for construction, where you need protection from very small particulates.

The valve helps by allowing the moisture in your breath to easily flow out, without having to go through the medium.

When i wear one you can see large droplets inside the valve after a short time of use.

[Prosper]

7. The point of this post is to call attention to the increased possibility

of people getting infected with Covid-19 because of ignorance or complacency. Since I posted about the valves I have found multiple sources of information about the valves as released far back as April. Maybe there should be an official DNC tweeter setting the record straight about inconsistencies. Like the Republicans insinuating an unemployment benefit recipient can refuse work and sill collect benefits.