With the particles being suspended in air, wouldn't the virus particles that are expelled seek equilibrium in the air of an enclosed space?

Virus particles will diffuse into the surrounding environment at the exact same rate as the breath of air on which they are hitching a ride. The diffusion pattern depends on initial velocity, turbulence, and total volume of the exhaled breath. The presence of a mask reduces initial velocity and increases turbulence (volume of breath unaffected obviously). Both of these effects reduce the rate of diffusion. That is the mechanistic reason why masks are helpful.

Side note: I fucking love fluid dynamics :)

I could see the mask keeping the concentration higher on the inside of the mask of the infected wearer while not completely stopping virus particles from being expelled into the surrounding area.

Correct.

The mask will certainly do something. Is it beneficial for the general population to wear a mask? I don't see that it is, but I think it makes sense those for who are at risk to take precautions.

Remember that anything less than an N95 mask is not meant to protect the wearer so much as the people nearby though.

I agree that the mortality rate is wildly inflated for COVID. That said, the hospital down the street from me has been at capacity for months now so there is definitely a motivation to reduce the rate of spread.

I have mad respect for you keeping your cool and grinding through all this. It has been fun to read these articles.