Those face masks you see with coin-sized valves on the front may look intriguing but they are not as good at preventing the spread of the novel coronavirus<\/a> as the seemingly lower-tech, non-valved masks.<\/p>\n

Some masks designed for hot, dusty construction work \u2014 where the intent is to filter out dust before it hits the wearer\u2019s lungs \u2014 have \u201cexhaust\u201d valves that allow the exhaled air to flow out more easily, to keep the mask-wearer cooler.<\/p>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n