In Jain dharma, mukhpatti is not meant to create a perfect airtight seal. Its purpose is:

• to reduce direct harm to subtle जीवs in the air,
• to reduce strong breath force and droplet spread,
• and to maintain carefulness, restraint, and awareness while speaking and breathing.

So the logic is not: “if air can still pass, then it is useless.” The logic is: reduce injury as much as possible without making normal conduct impossible.

Why it is not sealed at the mouth

If a cloth were sealed tightly like a modern respirator, it would become difficult to:

• speak properly,
• breathe comfortably,
• maintain religious practice for long periods.

Jain practice follows the principle of minimum necessary harm, not complete physical blockage. Even a partial barrier is meaningful because it lessens the force and spread of breath.

How modern masks are different

Modern masks are generally made for:

• blocking droplets,
• reducing infection spread,
• protecting the wearer or others.

Their purpose is medical or practical, not ahimsa-based restraint. So even if they also cover the mouth, they are not the same thing as mukhpatti.

Why mukhpatti still has value

In Jain understanding, violence is reduced by:

• less forceful breathing and speaking,
• less direct emission from the mouth,
• and greater mindfulness.

So the benefit is in reduction, not in total sealing.

In short

Mukhpatti is an instrument of ahimsa and self-restraint, not a medical seal. Airflow is still there because living conduct must continue, but the level of harm is reduced.

If you want, I can also explain this from the perspective of āsrava, saṃvara, and ahimsa in simple Jain terms.