In practice, online education is worse. Discussion boards are a shallow replacement for real shoulder to shoulder conversations, many students speed through video lectures, and the entire experience seems flattened and gamified. It feels more “effective and efficient” but that feeling doesn’t necessarily match reality.
I agree that was just as a reference to OPs feeling. They might be overwhelmed by people. And given how many people, especially in management positions, are unable to understand why people prefer to work from home, I don't think it's too far-fetched. Both sides can be ignorant.