""In all of this, only the most useless perished. Those who were accustomed to hard work, or had a minimalist knowledge base, perished in the new order. Those whose money had been entirely virtual, those who rarely lifted a finger for themselves, they perished.""

I think you meant "Those who were NOT accustomed to hard work, or had minimal knowledge" And of course you put "Only the most useless perished" but heh, not to nitpick, but in that scenario, actually the very elderly, the ones in hospitals on ventilators and other medical aids, and the premies would've also died, no? For the lack of care available?