They lied to you and you believed it. Do some digging, research, ask around, do your own experiment using a mask and sand, very simple and effective to do. Pollen, Salt, and Sand are significantly larger than viruses or bacteria and they ALL penetrate every, single mask. That means N95 AND surgical mask. Don't believe me? Wear a mask in a dusty environment and check the area under the mask or in your nostrils and see what's up...Lol 😆. I know what I'm saying, from first hand experience. YEARS of wearing practically EVERY one of the best man ever made. And the only ones that work are full face mask attached to a Self Contained Breathing Apparatus (SCBA) or an aor hose attached to tanks.