2) Being related to specific mask wearing seems implausible to me.
One of the fun highlights of this disease has been the official advice to not touch your face, followed immediately by the realization that we all touch our faces a lot. The idea that masks specifically cause you to touch your face more than we already are doesn’t pass the sniff test.
Also, if you are having to touch your face a lot while wearing a mask, you have the wrong mask. I wear one to the grocery store and after an initial adjustment I don't usually have to touch it again.
One of the fun highlights of this disease has been the official advice to not touch your face, followed immediately by the realization that we all touch our faces a lot. The idea that masks specifically cause you to touch your face more than we already are doesn’t pass the sniff test.