Question: Why are N95 respirators being recommended?

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Healthcare Infection Prevention and Control FAQs for COVID-19
section_headers: Why does CDC continue to recommend respiratory protection equivalent or higher to the level provided by an N95 disposable filtering facepiece respirator for care of patients with known or suspected COVID-19?
section_content: CDC’s guidance to use NIOSH-approved N95 disposable filtering facepiece or
higher level respirators when providing care for patients with suspected or
known COVID-19 is based on the current understanding of SARS-CoV-2 and related
respiratory viruses.
Current data suggest that close-range aerosol transmission by droplet and
inhalation, and contact followed by self-delivery to the eyes, nose, or mouth
are likely routes of transmission. Long-range aerosol transmission, such as is
seen with measles, has not been a feature of SARS-CoV-2.
Potential routes of close-range transmission include splashes and sprays of
infectious material onto mucous membranes and inhalation of infectious virions
exhaled by an infected person. The relative contribution of each of these is
not known for SARS-Co-V-2.
Facemasks commonly used during surgical procedures will provide barrier
protection against droplet sprays contacting mucous membranes of the nose and
mouth, but they are not designed to protect wearers from inhaling small
particles. N95 and higher level respirators, such as other disposable
filtering facepiece respirators, powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs),
and elastomeric respirators, provide both barrier and respiratory protection
because of their tight fit and filtration characteristics.
Respirators should be used as part of a respiratory protection program that
provides staff with medical evaluations, training, and fit testing.
Although facemasks are routinely used for the care of patients with common
viral respiratory infections, N95 or higher level respirators are routinely
recommended for emerging pathogens like SARS CoV-2, which have the potential
for transmission via small particles, the ability to cause severe infections,
and no specific treatments or vaccines.
CDC recommendations acknowledge the current challenges with limited supplies
of N95s and other respirators. Facilities that do not have sufficient supplies
of N95s and other respirators for all patient care should prioritize their use
for activities and procedures that pose high risks of generating infectious
aerosols and use facemasks for care that does not involve those activities or
procedures. Detailed strategies for optimizing the supply of N95
respirators are
available on the CDC website. Once availability of supplies is reestablished,
the guidance states that the use of N95 and higher level respirators should
resume.

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This does a pretty good job speaking to the pros and advantages of an N95 mask compared to other masks. It highlights several of it's special features and what it protects against
This explains exactly why N95 respirators are recommended and also why other types of masks are not as effective.

Reviewer ratings:
Excellent
Excellent

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Respirators
What do I do with an expired respirator?
section_content: In times of increased demand and decreased supply, consideration can be made
to use N95 respirators past their intended shelf life. However, the potential
exists that the respirator will not perform to the requirements for which it
was certified. Over time, components such as the strap and nose bridge may
degrade, which can affect the quality of the fit and seal. Prior to use of N95
respirators, the HCP should inspect the respirator and perform a seal check.
Additionally, expired respirators may potentially no longer meet the
certification requirements set by NIOSH. For further guidance, visit Release
of Stockpiled N95 Filtering Facepiece Respirators Beyond the Manufacturer-
Designated Shelf Life: Considerations for the COVID-19
Response .

Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This is about the problems with reusing N95 respirators, not why they are recommended in the first place.
This talks a lot about N95 masks but doesn't really make any mention of why that is the preferred mask over other alternatives which is what the question was looking for

Reviewer ratings:
Bad
Could be Improved

Answer passage (source: CDC):
page_title: Personal Protective Equipment: Questions and Answers
section_headers: Respirators
What is a Surgical N95 respirator and who needs to wear it?
section_content: 
A surgical N95 (also referred as a medical respirator) is recommended only for use by healthcare personnel (HCP) who need protection from both airborne and fluid hazards (e.g., splashes, sprays). These respirators are not used or needed outside of healthcare settings. In times of shortage, only HCP who are working in a sterile field or who may be exposed to high velocity splashes, sprays, or splatters of blood or body fluids should wear these respirators, such as in operative or procedural settings. Most HCP caring for confirmed or suspected COVID-19 patients should not need to use surgical N95 respirators and can use standard N95 respirators.
If a surgical N95 is not available for use in operative or procedural settings, then an unvalved N95 respirator may be used with a faceshield to help block high velocity streams of blood and body fluids.


Reviewer feedback on this answer:
This does a pretty good job pointing out some of the advantages of the N95 mask. It doesn't have a ton of detail and could use some supporting links but it's decent
This is more about who should use N95 respirators, though it does in a roundabout way partially answers the question of why ("need protection from both airborne and fluid hazards").

Reviewer ratings:
Acceptable
Could be Improved