Very few of the things you list are things that I do primarily online (even during the pandemic), and none of those are things that I can only do online.
Presumably my place of employment would have already verified my identity when I started working for them.
> School? Online.
Ditto, and for kids enrolling during lockdown they wouldn't have any ID to hand over anyway.
> Recreational activities? Online.
> Talking to loved ones you don’t live with? Online.
> Birthday party? Online.
> Nonfood shopping? Online.
Doesn't need me to verify my identity.
> Banking?
Every bank I've ever interacted with has done this verification in-person.
> Paying taxes
The government already knows who I am and what I look like (by issuing the ID to me); this is fine.
> and bills?
Direct debit just has a sort code, account number, and name on the account. No verification of identity.
> Job interview?
I wouldn't think that a new employer would be verifying your identity until you actually get the job offer?
> Doctors appointment?
Doesn't need me to verify my identity to arrange it. I have to go there in person anyway, I can damn well show them my ID then.
> Dating? You guessed it, online.
Eh. This one is a grey area. I can see the desire to have members verify who they are. I've also seen how badly that can go wrong.