Testing has found that surgical masks are less effective than cloth masks (thread count dependent) are less effective than N95 masks.
Fit is important. Surgical masks and N95 masks have a strip of soft embedded metal that can be bent so that the mask conforms precisely around the nose. Be sure the mask is right side up. It is easy to see the metal strip on an N95 mask, but not on a surgical mask because it is sewn inside - you have to feel for the metal strip.
Cloth masks have no metal strip. People wearing a cloth mask usually have an open area around the nose. People wearing a cloth mask on the tip of their nose (which is quite common) have a rather large open area around the nose. Because of the fit problem around the nose, cloth masks are probably worse than properly fitted surgical masks, and certainly worse than properly fitted N95 masks.
Wearing a mask below the nose is like wearing no mask at all.
Having a condition that makes it impossible to wear a mask does not render one invulnerable or uncontagious. If you cannot wear a mask you should never go near anyone who is also not wearing a mask.
Lastly, falsely claiming you cannot wear a mask is despicable.
--Percy