[Drago]

I see a lot of people wearing the “valved” (on exhale) type masks....totally ineffective for protecting people around them.

[heartwood]

I think the valve masks will stop most droplets but not aerosol. In that sense, they are as good as most fabric or surgical masks.

[Cold Heart]

I went to the valved ones a couple years ago when I was doing a lot of physical exertion grinding fiberglass inside a boat. Much easier breathing. The mask’s valves do direct the exhale downward, so there is some benefit.