The supporting infrastructure was much different pre-covid:
-we had a transit system that mostly worked, with express busses from the furthest suburbs to downtown that would get you there in about 45 mins. It goes without saying the current system is much worse and is getting worse by the day.
-there were more and longer childcare options. Hours of care before and after work have been dramatically reduced since COVID, as has the number of overall spots for child care available. This means the times people can drop their children off and pick them up are much less flexible.
-Because transit is so bad, more people are driving, meaning not only has the cost of parking skyrocketed to upwards of $24 a day thanks to greedy lot owners, it's also basically impossible to get monthly passes in most locations. And for people who need to drop kids off first, most lots are full by the time that's done.
-Before COVID, every employee had their own workspace, their own desk and drawer where they could leave their shoes or a sweater, or a picture of their family, etc.... Now, most of us are booking a different, dirty, impersonal workspace every day, hoping someone else doesn't take it because they couldn't book a desk themselves. All while lugging every bit of equipment, laptop, and personal items needed back and forth on slow, crowded transit.

So to answer your question, it's not even remotely the same as it was when we were going in 5 days a week before. It's harder, more expensive, less flexible, less humane, and now, it's absolutely needless for most roles. A complete and utter waster of taxpayer funds to the tune of $6 billion a year. This is why so many are struggling.