Not to disagree with the main point of your post — that surgical masks and such are intended to reduce exhaled (or sneezed or coughed) virus transmission, but... Holey G’Moley. I’m a little smaller than average male in (I think) probably slightly better than average respiratory shape, mid-60’s, and I can’t blow out a candle (at least not one with a properly functioning wick) at 1 meter, much less two. I can make the flame dance pretty well at 1 meter, and a surgical mask cuts that distance relatively much as you say, but, dang! You have machined lips or something?
Well, granted, I can’t whistle worth a darn, either. (Eye roll.)
Anyway, I think the main purpose of a surgical mask is more to prevent droplets or (ahem) semi-solid material from being projected very far, as opposed to breath (even sneezed or coughed air movement) carrying “floaters”. Virions expelled are almost all going to initially be in significant droplets (or “ahem”). As I mentioned above there are vids on YouTube showing the effectiveness of masks on outgoing droplets. The surgical masks tested do well - somebody knows what they are doing. :-)
What happens to a virus particle after it gets stopped by a mask? Can it be inhaled? Can it get loose on a subsequent exhalation?
Do masks stop bacteria? Is a warm, moist environment good for bacterial growth?