Lots of valid reasons already given. As for the pandemic, many people are still working from home with more flexibility, so may be more present at places during the day than they used to be.

As far as disability, yes it is tough for many to get it, and I at first felt you were implying some on disability were maybe lazy or milking it. Such latter thinking (which perhaps you didn't mean) is common. Truth is, trying to work at all in the USA with some types of disability is risky. That is if you could at all. By risk I mean that the threat of being kicked off disability is a scary one and one that could equate to further poverty by not being able to pay bills. I know on SSDI they keep you on during only a short period of part time trial return to work, but there are maximum amounts you can earn during that period and once you return full time (if you can even hack it) you are soon after kicked off disability. If you then relapse, you then may need to apply for disability again. Those on disability know that can be a struggle. Again, time with no income (from either a job or disability payments) can mean poverty and cessation of health insurance coverage. That would suck and keep in mind not everyone has a relative to live with or feed them. And if you need medical care during such a period, you may be out of luck and/or have savings eaten up. The way disability is set up in the US can feel like a trap because of such risks. "Sink or Swim" polices cause disincentives and are actually counterproductive, in the end. That's a paradoxical situation.

In my new country, health coverage is universal for every citizen no matter what the work status. Also, once on disability, there's no fear of crisis if you try working again then relapse.

Some people not on disability who earned below living wages are rebelling, for sure. If they have kids to boot, what kind of life is that? One political party is advocating an increased minimum wage, free public college, and cheaper day care. While the other fiercely fights that. One party gives tax breaks to the very rich, while poor and middle income folks pay more. More taxes from the rich could pay for benefits that would help the poor and middle class, but that's not happening yet. In Europe, people get much more paid vacation and maternity leave from the start. In the USA, it is sadly little or even far too often non-existent. I can say, as a person with a significant mental health issue, that no/little time off can be counterproductive to mental and physical wellness, as is the stress in wondering if a relapse might make paying bills at risk.

You are justifiably grateful that your insurance has paid most of the bills for your medical procedures, but what about some poor soul who has no insurance? Or those whose insurance barely pays for life-threatening illnesses?

As an American with a disability, it is clear to me that many of 50% of the US population would be happy if I just up and died. Many of them even claim to be religious. Many feel the same about other groups of people. Ohhh, the lack of humanity! In Nazi Germany, they flat out exterminated people they regarded as "undesirables". Sadly, fascism is again on the rise around the world. It's dangerous!