You're probably wrong on certain points. For one, fiat has only one direction, and it's downward. Shitcoins at least pump and dump. A shitcoin could actually multiply your worth a hundred fold very quickly. It can't happen with fiat. The monetary design is that money should slowly yet continuously lose its purchasing power, although sometimes it accelerates out of control.
You're also probably wrong when you compare crises like the pandemic to be a time for rejection or correction and that the huge financial whales are forced to sell assets. They're actually not like us ordinary mortals. Even in times of crises, their worth are increasing. Let's not be naïve. These rich elites are making money out of pandemics and wars and all kinds of disasters.
Maybe for one or a few person. Like you for example, fiat is like that because you know that it is inflationary but less knowledgeable individuals thinks that their fiat is growing once they save it. Not all shitcoin can pump but most will only dump so I don't think they are better than the fiats.
The pandemic turns out to be a great time for cryptos because they are pumping instead of dumping as what we expected. For other crises, they are the real ones who have a negative impact in the crypto market. People are as well affected including the rich people. Only those who are strategic are the ones who can earn during those times and they are not always rich people.