I doubt any thing has changed during this pandemic. It's not like all merchants are now accepting bitcoin or anything. It is still the same as pre pandemic. Those who are hesitating to use cash money, they are using cashless system such as their credit cards or other payment system. Shops aren't ready to accept bitcoin. Look at the transaction fee and the network traffic for the last few months.
In this pandemic period, many people have met Bitcoin and started using it. And it's really great for Bitcoin to be adopted even faster than ever. More people are making investments into it and using it while buying something also. And like you indicated, it's much safer compared to fiat.
Not really. Care to explain how is it "much safer compared to fiat"? Would love to hear your opinion on this.