“ N95 has a little flapper thing”
Not all do. Most actual respirators have in and out valves. Out going is not filtered. Which is not of concern when they are required.
The value makes the mask safer for the wearer. Some masks don’t include because they are cheaper. Not a bug, a feature.
The problem is that if it doesn’t have the flapper, your breathing is even more obstructed, and the seal is harder to maintain, and the mask is likely to clog quickly.
The people who initially said masking was a bad idea for the general public were telling the truth then and they are lying now.