Reply To: N95 masks with exhalation valves

ujm,

“Who is discouraging exhalation valves? (And what is their reasoning for doing so?)”

I don’t know about a “who”, but the following are my observations:
1. When out and about, I see a lot of N95s worn, but none with valves.
2. If you do a Google search for N95 masks/respirators with valves, all of the top results are articles talking about how bad valves are. This is clearly intentional.
3. Many mask mandates specifically forbade masks with valves due to CDC guidance, and this guidance has not been updated even though most mask mandates are gone.