# Have You Gotten Any Hostility For Wearing (Or Not Wearing) A Mask? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 3, 2020, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165 "2020-08-03T14:54:32Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/121 "2020-08-10T01:24:24Z")
He means he doesn’t get the point of the valve in a mask that has a filter inserted at the valve, such as in ravensthief’s link. [https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BLHTLSL/ref=cm\_sw\_r\_cp\_apa\_i\_xzamFbTFMV1JE](https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08BLHTLSL/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_apa_i_xzamFbTFMV1JE) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/122 "2020-08-10T01:55:00Z")
Which is exactly the same as one my husband sometimes wears. I wonder if it’s “style”. Real respirators for woodworking, etc., have a valve, so this one looks “more serious” if it has one, even though the valve is basically fake? ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 2:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/123 "2020-08-10T02:30:28Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > he doesn’t get the point of the valve in a mask that has a filter inserted at the valve, such as in ravensthief’s link. Huh. I saw somebody wearing one like that in town, and I wondered whether they’d blocked off their exhale valve or whether they didn’t realize it was the wrong type – or just didn’t care. But you’re saying the exhale valve has its own filter in it? (That’s not clear to me in the ad.) Unless the filter in the exhale valve doesn’t do very much, I don’t see the point in that either – and if it doesn’t do very much, then I don’t think people should be wearing those for (against?) covid. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 2:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/124 "2020-08-10T02:34:36Z")
It comes with a multipack of filters which look at least as thick as my surgical mask. I wonder if it’s a mask type that was used as a one-way dust valve before now, but is now being repurposed with a filter for CV-19 use. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 2:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/125 "2020-08-10T02:37:49Z")
> [@needscoffee](#): > > It comes with a multipack of filters which look at least as thick as my surgical mask Do they cover the full exhale valve, though, or just the rest of the mask? – I have a holder with exhale valve that takes separate N95 filters, but there’s a hole in the filter at the exhale valve. (That setup wasn’t made for covid, it was made for working in dusty conditions.) ---
**Author:** ![puzzlegal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/puzzlegal/32/3827_2.png) [@puzzlegal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/puzzlegal)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/126 "2020-08-10T02:45:48Z")
My husband’s mask, which looks like the one we are discussing, has a solid filter which completely covers the “valve” as well as the rest of the front of the mask. No hole in the filter. I examined it pretty carefully because looking at the mask I assumed it wouldn’t work to protect anyone else, but as best as I can tell, it’s fine – at least as good as the typical cloth mask. I really don’t understand why there’s a valve just in the outer cloth layer, and not in either the inner cloth layer nor the filter layer. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 2:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/127 "2020-08-10T02:52:04Z")
Thanks for this! I’m guessing that they were originally workshop masks which were quickly repurposed to use as CV-19 masks. My surgical masks have, as the inside metal nose piece, a baggie twist-tie. These things were made as fast as possible with whatever materials easily were on hand. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/128 "2020-08-10T02:53:55Z")
Yeah, that doesn’t make any sense to me either. Especially when the text of the ad says the exhale valve makes it easier to breathe; which implies it’s a functional one-way valve. But if all it’s doing is reducing one of three layers, and none of them is the main filter layer, it can’t be very functional. Of course, neither are the pockets in a lot of women’s clothes (she says, in her men’s cargo pants.) ETA: They don’t look to me like any mask I’ve ever seen made for workshop wear. They look like a fashion thing. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/129 "2020-08-10T03:08:38Z")
The CDC very recently published recommendations that masks with exhalation valves should not be worn and considered adequate protection against Covid. > **[CDC: Masks with exhalation valves, vents should not be worn to prevent spread...](https://www.wfla.com/community/health/coronavirus/cdc-masks-with-exhalation-valves-vents-should-not-be-worn-to-prevent-spread-of-covid-19/amp/)** > > Masks are most likely to reduce the spread of COVID-19 when they are widely used by people in public settings. People prefer wearing them because they are easier to exhale with, but is because they aren’t filtering exhaled air, meaning others than the wearer are not protected. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/130 "2020-08-10T03:12:39Z")
You are not reading what we’ve written. We’re discussing masks WITH FILTERS. ---
**Author:** ![Leaper](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4bbf92/32.png) [@Leaper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Leaper)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/131 "2020-08-10T03:14:09Z")
To the OP: I live in a blue state. The dude I’ve mentioned in my IMHO post has said that he’d “never” wear a mask, but now feels “forced” to politically. It’s actually encouraging. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/132 "2020-08-10T03:15:25Z")
Very good! Baby steps… ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/133 "2020-08-10T03:16:00Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Especially when the text of the ad says the exhale valve makes it easier to breathe; which implies it’s a functional one-way valve. > [@puzzlegal](#): > > really don’t understand why there’s a valve just in the outer cloth layer, > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > Unless the filter in the exhale valve doesn’t do very much I _have_ read every post carefully. Here are just three examples of _valves_ being mentioned. ---
**Author:** ![Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hilarity_n.suze/32/6223_2.png) [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hilarity_N.Suze)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/134 "2020-08-10T03:16:45Z")
I am not literally killing people if I don’t wear a mask, and I am not literally saving lives if I do! Come on people. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/135 "2020-08-10T03:17:24Z")
Yes, but we’ve stated that the filter covers all - including the valve area. Puzzlegal’s husband has one, and she’s examined it. She wrote: > [@](#): > > My husband’s mask, which looks like the one we are discussing, **has a solid filter which completely covers the “valve” as well as the rest of the front of the mask. No hole in the filter.** I examined it pretty carefully because looking at the mask I assumed it wouldn’t work to protect anyone else, but as best as I can tell, it’s fine – at least as good as the typical cloth mask. > > I really don’t understand why there’s a valve just in the outer cloth layer, and not in either the inner cloth layer nor the filter layer. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/136 "2020-08-10T03:20:32Z")
Is that filter certified as effective by qualified governmental agencies? I mean this ever so politely, but is **puzzlegal** with one of those certifying agencies or the CDC? **Yesterday** the CDC’s guidance was that masks with valves were not protective of both parties. ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/137 "2020-08-10T03:21:53Z")
> [@BippityBoppityBoo](#): > > I _have_ read every post carefully. Here are just three examples of _valves_ being mentioned. And we’re mentioning them because we’re puzzling over how they can make any sense if the filter covers the exhale valve. If the filter covers the exhale valve, then they are filtering the exhaled air, and would be all right to wear for/against covid. But if the filter covers the exhale valve, then the exhale valve can’t be working as an exhale valve. That’s the whole point of the discussion. > [@Hilarity\_N.Suze](#): > > I am not literally killing people if I don’t wear a mask, and I am not literally saving lives if I do! Come on people You’ll probably never know if you kill somebody by not wearing one. But yes, you might do so. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/138 "2020-08-10T03:26:26Z")
The CDC is referring to those masks that do not have a filter in the valve. These do. Thick filters. ---
**Author:** ![BippityBoppityBoo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bippityboppityboo/32/5745_2.png) [@BippityBoppityBoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BippityBoppityBoo)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/139 "2020-08-10T03:29:31Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > If the filter covers the exhale valve, then they are filtering the exhaled air, and would be all right to wear for/against covid. But if the filter covers the exhale valve, then the exhale valve can’t be working as an exhale valve. That’s the whole point of the discussion. Only **if** the filter over the exhale valve is a certified as effective to established standards. Any manufacture/seller can slap something looking filter-like together without it actually working well enough to filter small enough particles to be protective. Back to protecting the wearer but not the rest of us near or rebreathing her/his exhaled air within several hours of it being exhaled, even if the valved masked wearer has already left the area. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [August 10, 2020, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165/140 "2020-08-10T03:33:31Z")
The surgical masks being sold everywhere now, and being used in the medical office where I work, are not certified. Cloth masks are not certified. Homemade masks are not certified. Bandanas are not certified. Gaiters are not certified. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/have-you-gotten-any-hostility-for-wearing-or-not-wearing-a-mask/917165.md?page=8)