Yes it has definitely done that, BUT As from a Camino perspective, if nothing else, I think that as evil and devastating as it has proven to be, something such as this was VERY definitely needed. The Camino, especially the more popular routes sucb as The Frances and The Portuguese (from Porto to Santiago) could not handle the ever increasing volume of walkers without imploding. The ever increasing tour companies who were encroaching on the Camino needed to be pulled back for a start. Sadly, Walking the Camino was becoming more of something to cross off ones bucket list than a Spiritual walk or a 'Walk to find oneself again'. I run two Camino groups so am not just making up words to fill the page here. I am writing with genuine concern.
I think you'd be surprised at what the Camino is capable of handling.
The difference between when you first walked the Camino in 2013 and where the Camino was at when Covid started is as nothing compared to the difference between my first Camino (1989) and the Camino in 2013. In 1989 there were only about 5000 compostelas handed out and there were neither mobile phones nor available Internet. Let's not talk about the Camino infrastructure then (which was already much better than it had been in the 60s or 70s). The change in the volume of walkers and the commercial aspects of the Camino was immense. Yet still, somehow, walking in 2013, you found enough value in your Camino to return again and again. When I walked it in 2016 (Frances) and 2018 (Portugues), I was still able to find the essential Camino experience
If the Camino could handle the growth in walkers, commerce, infrastructure, etc. from 1989 to 2013 and 2018 without losing the essential experience, I don't think it was in any real danger coming up in the next few decades.
I don't run any Camino groups (although I recognize that the existence of many such groups is another manifestation of the change that concerns you - the growing popularity). But I have witnessed the Camino, and its resilience over a reasonably long period to give me some perspective (although not as long or as closely as some here). I think you underestimate the Camino, the people who travel it and the people who live along it.
I
really don't think the Camino, nor the towns and villages along the Camino, needed a pandemic.