We Have Gotten to the Point Where It is Progressive to Oppose Free Speech

How have we gotten to a point where it is considered progressive to limit speech and censor ideas that do not adhere to the dogmatic narrative (like with Covid measures)? Do you have the moral high ground if you make people walk on eggshells and become afraid of saying something that might be considered offensive? Does it make these authoritarians feel good when they cancel someone or shut off his or her bank account for politically incorrect speech or protest?

Censorship hides under the guise of saving the country from fascism and stopping disinformation and misinformation (ignoring the fact that governments are actually spreaders of disinformation and misinformation), and the government has found clever ways to try to get around the First and Fourth Amendments, by partnering with corporations, manipulating language and concepts, and labeling people as domestic terrorists. We have been conditioned to fear free expression and accept mass surveillance, in exchange for a sense of security and freedom from being offended, but how free are we really?