I just noticed the "no politics" rule, despite being constituted as a shower thought. If a mod believes this to be a violation, I understand.
I think COVID gave big-tech a rather HUGE boost, as it restricted non-tech businesses, while actively promoting tech as the substitute. As for safety hysteria, I want to clarify I don't believe COVID itself was pure hysteria, although I do believe policy makers overstepped, and in turn caused excessive harm to youth for instance. Instead I'd argue the hysteria for COVID surrounding safety, extends into modern society, and is applied to subjects like social media bans and occupancy levels at buildings for instance. And finally for the "expert" obedience part, or rather a technocratic approach over a democratic one, can be seen in politics being "advised" by "experts" rather than by democratic will, the excessive presence of "experts" at talk-shows for instance, and the most obvious being social-media censorship surrounding COVID skepticism, as outright "misinformation". Even though a lot of it is purely nonsensical speculation of course.
Regarding technology having increasing since its inception: that may be true, however I would argue the COVID pandemic having expanded its influence drastically, also in areas previously unexplored. Need an appointment at the barber? Got to plan that using a digital calendar on their website. Need some groceries? Oh, we can now just DoorDash. Have a job interview? Have a Zoom call instead of coming over in person. And I could go on, and on, and on. And regarding your last point, perhaps my issue lies more with the enforcement of expert opinions, and them being presented as ultimate truths, disregarding people’s own opinions. Although I do agree genuine experts to be valuable, there’s also a lot that pretend to be that, while having a conflict of interest.
E: clarification
I mean, in the US we didn't even pay attention to the experts past the first, what, year of COVID? And that year we basically eradicated the seasonal flu, which killed ~26,000 people in the 19-20 flu season in the US.That was the last time we even considered that an expert could exist.
As for safety hysteria, I don't even see masks in public anymore. Most of the time I go to a store I'm the only one wearing one, while people are dying, and being permanently disabled by COVID.
Digital dependence is something that was happening before COVID. I think the only bill I've paid using a check instead of paying online was my rent, and that's because they charged extra to pay online. It definitely increased screen time for a lot of people, but the dependence isn't set by individuals; it's set by the fact that paying by check is becoming more difficult, and a lot of businesses are going online-only.
If that is true, that might reinforce the concept of valuing expert opinions, over the that of the democracy; which makes it a technocracy instead. I think we've all realized many, if not all governments are completely incompetent, and have been for quite a while. But this doesn't mean a government can appoint unelected "experts" (which literally happened in The Netherlands) to steer the ship, with a complete disregard for democratic will. And if one wanted to manufacture consent, it couldn't be easier than doing it during a deathly pandemic, with all eyes focused on centralized press convergences and active repression of contradicting narratives. Maybe we should outsource politics entirely to digital systems, which surveil the public constantly, to poll their interests in real time; what could possibly go wrong?
It's not just about the masks: (commercial) buildings still utilize occupancy level sensors and air quality monitors, required during COVID in order to stay operational. What you see happening here, is that these sensors are increasingly supplying data to "smart": air filters, heating/cooling systems, lighting, room/workplace reservation, etc.; leading them to become entire "smart buildings". This monitoring "for safety" is also extended with regulation of online platforms, or the physical private and public sphere (by use of cameras or alternative sensors). Sure "safety" has always been a bite-sized argument, but I'd argue the COVID pandemic having substantiated it.
COVID regulations directly required "contactless payment", at least here; so that might be a direct consequence of the pandemic.