What if we don’t want to opt in to the COVID 19 notification system?

It is off by default. You are not forced into using it.

It oooks like the 13.7 update forces us to...

Please show us where you see this.

Force and opt-in are opposite to each other. Diametrically opposed.

What if we don’t want to opt in to the COVID 19 notification system?

Then don't.

Not sure why you have asked such a question.

"Doctor, doctor, It hurts when I do this"

"Then stop doing it"

(Henny Youngman)

Read more and post less FUD.