For instance in this case of the covid content. The delivery is partially dependent on this concept of being censored. Can it be as effective and can the story be told the same way now, if it's no longer "censored"... ?

That's a damn good question. An out of the box thinking that I very much welcome because it opens up a completely different, especially questioning, perspective.

I was at a birthday party the day before yesterday and people were using code in their addressing each other. For instance, I was asked if I was "a Monday or Sunday walker". Translated, this means whether I go to the demonstrations. They wanted to know right away whether I was a friend or a foe. I said, "neither". This behaviour of falling with the door into the house and checking strangers to see if they belong to the right camp is, in my perception, mistrust.

Instead of giving each other the opportunity to get to know each other informally, radical minds in particular seem unable to let go for once and leave their worries at home.

Underneath, one senses their actual disinterest in wanting to get to know the person they spontaneously meet. The whole thing has driven people so crazy that from a certain point on they no longer dare to leave their initially adopted identity. That's a difficult way to go, because it tempts people to close doors and burn bridges. Someone who sees himself surrounded only by enemies misses moments when this is not the case.

I can hardly really estimate the whole situation from my point of view. My own scope of action is so limited that it is difficult for me to make a judgement. What seems clear is that the forces are at work and that there are counter-forces. To what extent the fears I personally harbour will come true remains to be seen.

There is no such thing as "being late to the party" in my world view. People are on a very broad spectrum of self-realisation and finding a common point in time where something has become "generally realised" is an impossibility. That moment may come when no one is talking about the hot topic any more and it fades from the burning glass of attention. Named forces try to fix (in the sense of solidify it in peoples lives as a forever ongoing theme) the issue in time and that causes despair on many levels.

All I can do is prioritise my respect for someone and where I fail or am in danger of failing to do so, it is better (for me) to remain silent.

Folks were acting far too defeated and that for me is frustrating to watch.

Another very good point. I share your frustration about this.