The following are my personal observations and opinions. I do not know whether others have noticed the same trends or written about them:
There were a lot of local "hobby" and computer user groups and clubs in the 1980s and 1990s. CP/M, Apples, PCs, Windows, Mac, (and later Linux), and also cars, trucks, motorcycles, etc. Back in the 1960s and 1970s, it was "electronics" (think: Heathkit), TVs, high fidelity, camping, backpacking, etc. Even earlier in the 1950s and 1960s it was woodworking, metalworking, steam engines, etc.
Some of those live clubs are still hanging on, but nearly all of them lack fresh young members. Many clubs have leadership that enjoyed their positions too much and hung on too long. Now they lack younger volunteers to take over and keep them going. The clubs have been supplanted by the internet and social media.
I have interests beyond technology, and belong to one of those local "hobby" clubs. Since the pandemic, I have not felt comfortable attending any of the live club meetings. They still broadcast them via Zoom, when it works. The personal interaction is gone - sharing equipment and supplies, the annual auction, etc. The membership is old and curmudgeonly; they wouldn't wear masks even when it was mandatory by regulation. The leadership did not care. I have a feeling that any active Linux user group in my area would have similar issues, so I would be unlikely to attend a live meeting, at least not yet. (NOTE: I am not interested in a debate about the pandemic, masks, or anything related, but just explaining why I would not attend a meeting at this time. That's me. Others are free to do as they wish.)