I also often think if we are living in a matrix. Nevertheless, I never thought the way you described. Your description is urging me to re evaluate my own thinking.
So you are saying that the covid time increased the consciousness of the people as they got the time to contemplate and break free the matrix they have been into for a long time?
I think that may have been what happened. I lot of people are now really unsettled and unwilling to accept the old lies or at least want better answers.