[exodust]

> There are no downsides to wearing a mask

Except for wearing a mask, which is inherently a downside compared with not wearing a mask.

Pollution. Disposable masks litter the streets and end up in waterways.

When masks are mandated in general settings, workplaces and anywhere usually unmasked, there are downsides. Even in aged care, the faces of visiting family and friends are now obscured. Residents in many cases would not see the unmasked faces of their own family again.

[jacob171714]

Washing your hands is an inherent downside to washing your hands. Its tedious, annoying, and many people get dry skin or are allergic to commonly used scented soaps. There is no evidence that that how regular people wash there hands is effective.

[exodust]

Washing your hands doesn't require your hands remain soaped up as you go about your day. "Washing hands" takes a few seconds, then it's over. Your analogy doesn't work.

Nobody knows you washed your hands 2 minutes ago, but everyone knows you put a mask on 2 minutes ago because your face is covered, and your words are muffled.