I have a cloth mask with one of those exhale valves.

[LuckyCharms]

There is a pocket inside the mask which holds a cloth PM25 filter. The filter and pocket is over the valve location, so I'm pretty sure that my exhaled breath goes through 2 layers of pocket cloth, the filter, then continues unabated through the plastic valve. I guess it's a one way (exhale) valve.

Does anyone know for sure if this type of mask is safe for protecting OTHERS?

Thanks in advance.

[torius]

1. No, it doesn't protect others

as you can exhale viral particles through the valve. I’ve seen a couple articles about this but I can’t remember where.
A valve like that would have to be sealed so no air can get out.

[LuckyCharms]

3. I'm trying to understand why though.

Your breath is going through two layers of cloth as well as a filter, before hitting the opened valve. Imagine the valve being removed, your breath is still going through the cloth (x2) and the filter. How would this be different than breathing through a mask which is made up of two layers of a bandanna with a filter inside the two layers...which is probably seen as a reasonable mask?

[BigmanPigman]

2. The masks with valves don't protect the wearer or

those around you very well. Here is a DU post about it...
https://www.democraticunderground.com/100213726892

Basically, if they were really great than the hospitals would be using them instead of recycling N95s. The second best type of masks that you can still find are K95s.

[LuckyCharms]

4. I agree KN95's are the best next to N95, but

please see my previous reply. How are valved masks with a filter in a pocket worse than a regular cloth mask?

Thanks.

[mr_lebowski]

5. They're not worse. The type of mask you describe is not the shitty kind ... you're good Lucky ...

The shitty kind let the exhaled air straight out and only filter incoming air as they're designed only to protect the wearer. Yours doesn't sound like it's that way at all.

[LuckyCharms]

6. I'm still paranoid about wearing it though.

It's a nice thick mask with a two layer pocket that holds the filter. I worry that I am missing something since I've read a lot about how valve masks are not good...but after taking a close look at how this one works...it looks pretty good.

How you doing there, Mr. Lebowski?

[mr_lebowski]

7. I'm doing aaa-ight. Rocking my 'R.E.M. - Best of the IRS Years Mix' I made on spotify 8 years ago

Which I still revisit often ... and chilling w/my cat sleeping on my desk. He likes REM too.

You?

I think you can trust your judgement re: the mask. If there's layers of fabric and/or filters being applied on everything you're exhaling, you're good. It just can't be a straight shot out. Some people seem to be thinking 'valve=bad' ... that's not necessarily so.

[LuckyCharms]

12. Glad you are well...

I've had a few mishaps lately, but I'm still kickin', so I can't complain.

[mr_lebowski]

13. Right on brother :)

Here's to us stayin' alive

[LuckyCharms]

14. .

[cayugafalls]

8. The only problem you face are areas that ban valved masks.

They may not know that your mask is different. We know it is and you are safely filtering your exhaled breath, but they do not know that. So long as they are not aware and actively banning valved masks you are good to go.

You might want to have a backup mask available if you go out so you can change if needed.

Be well.

[LuckyCharms]

10. Good point, thank you.

You be well too.

[orleans]

9. i'm tending to agree with post 5

however,
is the valve visible to others?
if they are familiar with the typical valve masks they could assume that your exhalation is not filtered but instead blowing right at them.

that's my first thought when i see the valve masks.

[LuckyCharms]

11. On some of the valve masks, you can see

the valve from the inside view? Thanks. (You can't see it from the inside on mine)

[orleans]

15. but can people see that there is a value on the mask when you're wearing it? n/t

[orleans]

16. this

https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/n-95-masks-protect-users-not-those-around-experts/story-3jDIEWz4LQfaPcNsz9CFJK.html