MIT: Cough-particles travel 4-5M, sneezes 8-9M.
Wearing masks definitely prevents that massive 'spray pattern', but in-general masks don't protect from inhaling the particles due to the wearer not having access to professional-grade masks and wearing them improperly.
But my point wasn't about MASKS, it was about the DISTANCE coughs & sneezes particles travel, to infect others in the vicinity.
1.5-2M 'social distancing' isn't nearly effective enough if an infected person coughs or sneezes anywhere near you.